Synopsis
With the world’s eyes glued to Netflix on April 24, 2020, “Extraction” made its debut as an instant, action-packed thriller. The film was brought to life under the direction of Sam Hargrave with Joe and Anthony Russo serving as producers. As with any Hollywood blockbuster today, Chris Hemsworth starred in the film. As in most of his previous roles, he plays the part of a crime-fighting superhero, only this time, set in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Hemsworth navigates through an intriguing underworld riddled with crime lords, mercenaries, corrupt cops, and a black market.
As a character, Tyler Rake (Chris Hemsworth) stands out as a merciless black-market mercenary bearing the burden of an employee’s trauma-laden history. Introduced to the audience grieving and guilt-laden owing to his son’s untimely death, Rake emerges as a superhuman grappler. The film kicks off with Rake given the task of retrieving a kidnapped teenager Ovi Mahajan Jr played by Rudhraksh Jaiswal. Ovi Jr. is the son of a famous Indian crime lord’s and is held prisoner by Amir Asif, a Bangladeshi drug lord who uses his connections with the local military and police to wield control over Dhaka.
Rake discovers the extraction plan is compromised after he retrieves Ovi, leading to a more intense action sequence than previously expected. An ex-Indian special forces officer Randeep Hooda is cast as Saju who is Ovi’s father’s right-hand man. He attempts to rescue the boy with no intention of paying the ransom which puts him in direct conflict with Rake. A battle ensues which becomes quintessential to both characters as they try to outsmart one another while traversing throughout the city.
Rake and Ovi’s bond start to grow as they develop new-found trust in each other. Rake, through their interactions, begins to confront and make peace with his brutal past and rediscovers a sense of purpose. The emotional core of the movie lies in Rake’s willingness to defy orders from his employer and protect Ovi at all costs. As the plot races toward the center of violent outbursts and action sequences, bits of humanity that are buried deep within Rake start to emerge.
The action scenes are unyielding and meticulously crafted, especially a highlight 12-minute one-take segment in which Rake and Ovi traverse a building, navigate rooftops, and participate in a car chase—everything without a single visible cut. The tension builds and additional stakes are introduced until the final showdown on a bridge where Rake contends with Amir Asif’s forces in a desperate attempt to liberate Ovi.
Ultimately, Rake suffers critical injuries but is able to buy time for Ovi by fending off adversaries. He appears to die from his wounds, based on his river descent. Yet, the film’s conclusion featuring an open-ended shot of someone—potentially Rake—watching Ovi at school suggests his survival, leaving the audience in uncertainty.
Cast & Crew
Chris Hemsworth as Tyler Rake
As Tyler Rake, Hemsworth gives an emotionally charged and gritty performance. His work as Thor in the MCU typecasted him, but as Hemsworth is showing us these days, he is much more than a glamorized superhero, embracing complex and physically demanding cinematic roles.
Rudhraksh Jaiswal as Ovi Mahajan Jr.
In the role of the abducted teenager, Jaiswal utilized a blend of fragility and toughness that was compelling. Though he was a relative newcomer, his chemistry with Hemsworth who played the mercenary gave the film its emotional anchor.
Randeep Hooda as Saju Rav
As an acclaimed Indian actor, Hooda portrays Saju with a fierce severity that renders him a sympathetic character and formidable opponent. His family-centric motivations deepen what could have been a simplistic role.
Golshifteh Farahani as Nik Khan
Farahani portrays Nik, who is Rake’s handler. She is the powering brain behind Rake’s brute force. In addition, she contributes significantly in the stratagem that leads to the rescue and confronts Amir Asif during the film’s climax.
Priyanshu Painyuli as Amir Asif
Painyuli plays a cold and calculating drug lord in Dhaka, serving as the film’s antagonist. He epitomizes the tyrannical regime that Rake is battling, even if his screen presence is sparse.
Director: Sam Hargrave
This is the first feature film and “Extraction” was Sam’s debut. A former Marvel Films stunt coordinator, he has a distinct approach that especially shows in the action scenes. The film’s action sequences and Hargrave’s inventive camerawork highlight his experience.
Writers: Joe Russo
As a member of Russo brothers duo, Joe Russo adapted the screenplay derived from the graphic novel Ciudad that he co-authored. In a balance between action and character development, his script tackles the themes of redemption alongside the use of gunfire.
Producers: Joe Russo, Anthony Russo, Chris Hemsworth, Mike Larocca, Eric Gitter, Peter Schwerin
IMDb Ratings & Critical Reception
IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
Currently, “Extraction” maintains a score of 6.8 on IMDb, suggesting positive reception but also mixed reviews. The film drew praise for its over-the-top action sequences and Hemsworth’s supporting role. Many critics praised the cinematography, particularly the long one-shot that is now one of the film’s trademarks.
Viewers were impressed by the raw and gritty nature of the fight scenes and the relentless pace of the movie. While the city of Dhaka was partially altered for dramatic purposes, it was a welcomed shift away from the Westernized settings of most action films.
The underdeveloped supporting characters and the film’s thin narrative were highlighted by critics. Some also critiqued the portrayal of Dhaka and its people as overly bleak or stereotypical. Moreover, while the film works hard to depict a city besieged and lawless, some observers believe that the film didn’t take the setting’s context or geopolitical themes deeply enough.
Regardless of these critiques, “Extraction” marked a massive success for Netflix, becoming one of the most-watched original films on the platform with over 90 million households streaming it within the first month. This newfound popularity led Netflix to greenlight a sequel, Extraction 2, furthering Tylar Rake’s story.
Conclusion
The film, as stated, is deeply visceral, making use of emotionally charged action supplemented with gripping, raw cinematography. While Chris Hamsworth can be praised for a captivating performance, he is not alone; the director’s work showcases a person who can masterfully weave stories of grief, redemption, and sacrifice to anchor the most innovative recent fight choreography, affirming a place in our modern action canon.
Although it does not create a new genre, it does execute a cinematic experience which is both gut-wrenchingly intense and at some moments, surprisingly emotional. Its success indicates a broadening interest in sophisticated international action narratives, while simultaneously paving the way for what could become a deeper exploration of Tyler Rake’s multifaceted universe.
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