Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Momo and Okarun share a close moment in Dandadan

    Momo And Okarun: The Gold Standard For Shonen Romance

    07/03/2025
    Ironheart Episodes 4 6 But Why Tho 1

    ‘Ironheart’ Explained: Explore MCU’s Bold New Chapter

    07/01/2025
    Buck in 9-1-1

    ‘9-1-1’ Has To Let Buck Say Bisexual

    06/29/2025
    Nintendo Welcome Tour promotional image of the maraca mini-game

    The One “Game” That Justifies The Nintendo Switch 2 Purchase

    06/25/2025
    Destiel Confession in Supernatural - Castiel (Misha Collins) and Dean (Jensen Ackles)

    The Destiel Confession: The Lasting Importance Of Supernatural’s Greatest Ship

    06/22/2025
  • Squid Game
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Switch 2 Games
  • Summer Game Fest
But Why Tho?
Home » Film » REVIEW: ‘Extraction’ Has Netflix’s Best Action

REVIEW: ‘Extraction’ Has Netflix’s Best Action

Kate SánchezBy Kate Sánchez04/27/20204 Mins ReadUpdated:12/21/2023
Extraction
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

Netflix action films have been hit or miss, but with Chris Hemsworth leading the newest Netflix Original film, I had high hopes for Extraction. That said, the film exceeded them and served up some of the best action sequences I’ve seen in American action since the last John Wick. Directed by Sam Hargrave and written by Joe Russo, Extraction is centered on Tyler Rake (Hemsworth), a fearless black market mercenary who doesn’t even blink when a gun is to his head. His skills are solicited to rescue Ovi (Rudhraksh Jaiswal), the kidnapped son of an imprisoned international crime lord. With nothing left to lose, Tyler takes the job and quickly enters a murky underworld of weapons dealers and drug traffickers, which turns the already deadly mission into impossible, forever altering the lives of Tyler and the boy.

While Extraction plays with a story that’s common in the action genre, it’s execution is what sets it apart. Moving from roaring action to silent moments of tension building used to give characters depth and an emotional connection to each other that broadens the narrative from just a high-paced thrilling film to one that has heart. As we learn more about Tyler, his skill for killing and survival becomes something that saddens the viewer instead of something to just marvel at.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

With that said, Hargrave has an eye for action. From minimal cutting during fight sequences, which allows the actors and stunt performers to showcase the choreography in all its glory, to shooting a one-shot chase sequence from the hood of a car moving full speed, Hargrave has captured the beauty of action and its brutality as well. When it comes to action in American film, John Wick has become the new standard, but Hargrave and Hemsworth rose up to meet it. While the story isn’t perfect, Hargrave’s tracking in sequences is. The action in this film is worth its weight in gold, and while there is a lot we’ve seen in other films before, there is a lot that we haven’t, thanks to the use of multiple one-shots that don’t seem like they should work but do.

Hemsworth is a towering force in each fight sequence, and Hargrave frames him as such. But while he is physically imposing in looks, Hemsworth also excels in the physicality of this role. Each punch, kick, and take-down looks effortless, and each injury he sustains changes the ways he chooses to fight. Additionally, Randeep Hooda as Saju meets Hemsworth’s intensity in action sequences and his emotion in others. One of the best moments of the film is a knife fight between Tyler and Saju, which is clearly inspired by The Raid. It’s a scene that happens quickly and elegantly, with both Hooda and Hemsworth brilliantly on display.

Extraction

Adapted from the graphic novel Ciudad, Extraction makes a large change – location. While the source material lives in the genre of narco-fiction, the choice to move the story out of Latin America and to India works in its favor. Instead of being lost in a sea of films about cartels in Latin America that perpetuate stereotypes that have immediate ramifications for Latinx in the United States, Extraction stands out.

That said, there are some elements of the subgenre that remain and mire the film, specifically the fact that Ovi is what most kidnapped characters are: cargo. While this isn’t his only purpose, throughout a lot of the film he’s a set piece to be moved, and the ramp-up to giving him depth is frustratingly slow. But thankfully, once we get to know him, his development not only makes sense but feels well-rounded.

My only other frustration with Extraction comes from the use of CGI to enhance explosions. The best part of this film is it’s action sequences, the practical nature of them, and the way they’re directed to highlight the performer’s physical skills. Hargrave grounds the fight scenes in reality which pushes up against the explosions that have clearly been manipulated. This pulled me out of the film, and for a lot of them, they were unnecessary.

Overall, while fans of funny Hemsworth won’t get their laughs, fans of action films will get a full-throttle ride. Extraction has some of the best action sequences you can watch right now, and that alone makes it worth the watch.

Extraction is now streaming exclusively on Netflix.

Extraction
  • 7.5/10
    Rating - 7.5/10
7.5/10

TL;DR

While fans of funny Hemsworth won’t get their laughs, fans of action films will get a full-throttle ride. Extraction has some of the best action sequences you can watch right now, and that alone makes it worth the watch.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleREVIEW: ‘Red Rover’ is Simple but Enjoyable
Next Article REVIEW: ‘The Willoughbys’ Sends Generational Toxicities Packing
Kate Sánchez
  • Website
  • X (Twitter)
  • Instagram

Kate Sánchez is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of But Why Tho? A Geek Community. There, she coordinates film, television, anime, and manga coverage. Kate is also a freelance journalist writing features on video games, anime, and film. Her focus as a critic is championing animation and international films and television series for inclusion in awards cycles. Find her on Bluesky @ohmymithrandir.bsky.social

Related Posts

The Old Guard 2
5.5

REVIEW: ‘The Old Guard 2’ Is Distracted And Half-Baked

07/02/2025
Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey in Jurassic World: Rebirth
5.5

REVIEW: ‘Jurassic World: Rebirth’ Is Best When Nobody Is Talking

06/30/2025
MEGAN 2.0 promotional image
7.0

REVIEW: ‘M3GAN 2.0’ Puts Action First

06/29/2025
F1 (2025) promotional key art
8.0

REVIEW: ‘F1’ Is A High-Octane Blockbuster

06/24/2025
KPop Demon Hunters Promotional image form Netflix
9.0

REVIEW: ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Brings Beautiful Animation And An Even Better Message

06/20/2025
Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Alfie Williams in 28 Years Later
8.5

REVIEW: ’28 Years Later’ Is How Franchises Should Return

06/18/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
Taecyeon and Seohyun in The First Night With The Duke Episodes 7-8
7.5
TV

REVIEW: ‘The First Night With The Duke’ Episodes 7-8

By Sarah Musnicky07/03/2025

The First Night With The Duke Episodes 7-8 spends welcome time in pre-domestic bliss before new developments stir up trouble.

The Terminal List: Dark Wolf trailer First Look Image From Prime Video News

Prime Video Unleashes Teaser for Prequel Series The Terminal List: Dark Wolf

By Kate Sánchez07/04/2025

The first Terminal List: Dark Wolf trailer was released today by Prime Video. The series…

Together (2025) still from Sundance
8.0
Film

REVIEW: Have A Grossly Good Time ‘Together’

By Kate Sánchez01/27/2025Updated:07/04/2025

Dave Franco and Alison Brie’s Together (2025) is disgustingly funny, genuinely ugly, and just a good time at the movies.

Black Women Anime — But Why Tho (9) BWT Recommends

10 Black Women in Anime That Made Me Feel Seen

By LaNeysha Campbell11/11/2023Updated:12/03/2024

Black women are some of anime’s most iconic characters, and that has a big impact on Black anime fans. Here are some of our favorites.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here