Netflix R-Rated Suspense Thriller Is A Gerard Butler Action Gem
Although he’s crossed over multiple genres – from comedies to romantic flicks and even musicals – if there was one staple that Gerard Butler was to be known for it would undeniably be action. The actor has made a gargantuan name for himself thanks to his appearances in a slew of high-octane features and, luckily for fans, one of his very best is now streaming on Netflix. The thrilling tale of adventure, deception, and a conspiracy strong enough to unfurl an entire nation is just waiting for audiences in Hunter Killer.
Hunter Killer
If you find yourself addicted to military-centered thrillers like 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi, Zero Dark Thirty, and The Covenant, you better head over to the platform and add Hunter Killer to your queue right away. The film follows Butler’s submarine Captain Joe Glass who’s on a mission to find a fellow United States vessel stuck somewhere out in the Arctic Ocean.
While on his latest quest, Glass taps into some disturbing information that reveals a coup is brewing in Russia which could mark the first step in a global war.
The Cast
Snapping to action, Captain Glass enlists in the help of only the top-rated and skilled Navy SEALs to accompany him on a harrowing journey of espionage as they work their way into the opposing country’s waters.
It’s here that they’ll find the Russian president and put an end to the coup before it plunges the globe into chaos and destruction.
Along with Butler, Hunter Killer also features performances from an A-list call sheet that includes Gary Oldman (Slow Horses), Linda Cardellini (Dead to Me), Michael Nyqvist (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), Common (John Wick: Chapter 2), and Toby Stephens (Die Another Day).
Novel Adaptation
Hunter Killer could easily be a favorite among those who love a good novel that comes to life in cinematic form. The production is based on Don Keith and George Wallace’s 2012 book, Firing Point, and would certainly be worth the watch for those who love a good James Patterson or Lee Child story.
The project was helmed by Donovan Marsh, who will soon deliver another action-packed thriller by way of the Djimon Hounsou-led movie, The Bleeding Game.
The Name
The film’s title takes its name from the type of submarine that drives the plot, known as a Hunter Killer, which is a vessel whose primary use is to work the offense.
Despite most of the story taking place at sea, the production was largely shot at a studio with a crew of talented designers and builders crafting the submarine’s interior and exterior to be as on-point and realistic as possible.
Stream It Now
Lionsgate distributed Hunter Killer upon its arrival in 2018, with Gerard Butler’s production company, G-BASE joining the team to bring the movie to fruition.
Both financially and critically, the military thriller was largely a bomb, earning only $31.7 million against its $40 million production budget and blowing it with critical reception. Many referred to the story as sloppy and overdone, comparing it to other similar titles in the genre.
Still, if you’re a fan of Gerard Butler, pulse-pounding thrillers, or books turned into films, Hunter Killer may be the perfect title for your next night in with Netflix.
