Reviewed on 6th September 2025 at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival
Cast: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Theo James, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Sam Worthington
Genre: Action, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller, War
Director: David Mackenzie
In Irish Cinemas: 3rd April 2026
The opening sequence of Fuze crackles with jittery, kinetic credits that echo the hyper-stylised flair of classic action cinema from decades past. That choice immediately signals a film deeply aware of its lineage, one that embraces the genre’s traditions with confidence rather than irony. Under the direction of David Mackenzie, working from a script by Ben Hopkins, the film prioritises momentum and visual punch over self-importance. Its goals remain refreshingly straightforward: deliver a gripping, stylish ride without unnecessary embellishment. In an era where many genre pieces strain for artistic gravitas, that restraint feels almost radical.
Mackenzie, whose previous work has demonstrated a knack for grounded, muscular storytelling, guides Fuze with a steady hand and a sharp sense of pacing. The narrative initially unfolds as a tense civic emergency. A construction crew in London accidentally uncovers an unexploded bomb dating back to the Blitz, an unnerving relic of wartime destruction resurfacing in a thoroughly modern cityscape. The premise alone carries an inherent urgency, juxtaposing past and present while a race against time begins. Authorities scramble to evacuate the surrounding area as military specialists arrive, including a bomb disposal expert tasked with neutralising the threat under immense pressure.
Running parallel to this high-stakes operation is a more covert and opportunistic scheme. Beneath the surface, literally, another group takes advantage of the chaos. Hidden within the lower levels of a recently vacated building, a pair of criminals methodically executes a plan involving a bank vault. Their objective is clear, their timing calculated to exploit the distraction above. As drills bite into concrete and tension mounts, a second countdown begins, mirroring the danger unfolding on the streets above.
What makes this dual structure especially engaging is the conflicting alignment it creates. Both threads are engineered to command investment: the urgency of public safety on one hand, and the precision of a carefully orchestrated heist on the other. The film deftly alternates between these perspectives, maintaining a taut rhythm while sketching its characters with efficient clarity.
There is a vibrant, almost playful energy coursing through the film, and an assured sense of style that occasionally recalls polished, ensemble-driven crime thrillers of the past. As the story progresses, the seemingly separate narratives begin to converge, revealing layers of deception and shifting allegiances. What starts as a straightforward emergency scenario gradually transforms into a more intricate caper filled with reversals and betrayals. While certain plot turns may stretch plausibility, realism is not the film’s primary concern. Instead, it thrives on internal coherence and narrative momentum, inviting the audience to stay engaged in unravelling its twists.
Visually, the film strikes an appealing balance. The cinematography is clean and vibrant, lending a sleek, accessible look that exists somewhere between blockbuster gloss and mid-budget grit. It occupies a space that was once a staple of studio filmmaking, entertaining, well-crafted features designed for broad appeal, yet now feels increasingly rare in an industry divided between massive spectacles and streaming-bound content.
The cast appears fully attuned to the film’s tone, embracing both its intensity and its sense of fun. The performances lean into archetype without becoming caricature, adding texture to the film’s brisk storytelling. There is a palpable sense of engagement across the board, as if everyone involved understands exactly what kind of film this is meant to be and commits to it wholeheartedly.
Following a string of solid festival showings, Mackenzie continues to demonstrate a reliable command of the thriller format. Whether Fuze finds a wide audience remains to be seen, but its accessible premise and confident execution suggest strong potential. It does not aspire to transcend its genre, nor does it need to. There is a particular skill in delivering pure, unpretentious entertainment, knowing when to push forward and when to hold back. Striking that balance is no small feat, and Fuze manages it with notable precision.
Overall: 7/10
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