Introduction
In the realm of action cinema, few names carry as much weight as Sylvester Stallone. From his iconic roles in "Rocky" and "Rambo" to his recent endeavors, Stallone has been a stalwart of the genre for decades. In 2025, he returned to the screen in "Alarum," a spy thriller that promised intrigue, action, and a star-studded cast. However, despite the anticipation, the film received overwhelmingly negative reviews, leaving audiences and critics alike questioning what went wrong.​
Plot Overview
"Alarum" centers on Joe (Scott Eastwood) and Laura (Willa Fitzgerald), two former government spies who have gone off the grid and are now living a quiet life as a married couple. Their peaceful existence is disrupted when a plane crashes near their resort in Poland, leading Joe to discover a mysterious flash drive. This discovery thrusts them back into the world of espionage, as they become targets of multiple intelligence agencies and a rogue organization known as ALARUM. Sylvester Stallone portrays Chester, a former colleague who becomes an unexpected ally in their fight for survival.​Wikipedia+4Roger Ebert+4Entertainment Reviews+4Rotten TomatoesDiario AS+1Wikipedia+1
Production Details
Directed by Michael Polish and written by Alexander Vesha, "Alarum" was filmed in various locations, including Hueston Woods State Park in Ohio. The production received over $5 million from the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit Program, highlighting the state's commitment to supporting film projects. Despite the financial backing and experienced cast, the film's execution fell short of expectations.​Wikipedia+2Entertainment Reviews+2Roger Ebert+2Wikipedia
Critical Reception
Upon its release, "Alarum" was met with harsh criticism. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 0% rating based on 20 reviews, with an audience score of 16% . Metacritic reports a score of 23 out of 100, indicating generally unfavorable reviews . Critics pointed to the film's convoluted plot, lackluster performances, and uninspired direction as major shortcomings.​Rotten TomatoesEntertainment ReviewsRotten Tomatoes
Peter Sobczynski of RogerEbert.com remarked that Stallone's performance made his appearance in "The Expendables 4" seem focused and committed by comparison . Dennis Harvey of Variety noted that while the film attempted to compensate for its unspectacular production values with action, the staging was pedestrian at best .​Entertainment Reviews+4Rotten Tomatoes+4Rotten Tomatoes+4
Audience Reactions
Audience reactions mirrored the critical consensus. Many viewers expressed disappointment in the film's execution, citing its predictable storyline and underwhelming action sequences. One user review on Metacritic described it as "one of the worst action movies I've ever seen," criticizing the plot, visual effects, and character development .​Diario ASEntertainment Reviews
Analysis of Key Elements
Story and Script
The narrative of "Alarum" attempts to weave a complex tale of espionage, betrayal, and survival. However, the execution falls short, with critics highlighting the script's lack of coherence and depth. The motivations of characters and the intricacies of the plot are often unclear, leading to confusion and disengagement among viewers.​
Performances
Despite the presence of seasoned actors like Stallone and promising talents like Eastwood and Fitzgerald, performances in "Alarum" were criticized for lacking energy and conviction. Stallone's portrayal of Chester was seen as particularly underwhelming, with limited screen time and a lack of impactful moments.​Wikipedia+4Rotten Tomatoes+4Diario AS+4Wikipedia+2VoxSulut+2Diario AS+2
Direction and Cinematography
Director Michael Polish, known for his earlier indie films, struggled to bring a unique vision to "Alarum." The film's pacing, visual style, and action sequences were deemed uninspired, failing to elevate the material or engage the audience effectively.​Entertainment Reviews+2Roger Ebert+2Rotten Tomatoes+2
Conclusion
"Alarum" serves as a cautionary tale in the world of action cinema. Despite a promising premise and a cast filled with recognizable names, the film's execution failed to deliver a compelling experience. Its reception underscores the importance of cohesive storytelling, dynamic performances, and visionary direction in creating a successful film. For fans of the genre and the actors involved, "Alarum" may be a disappointing entry, but it also offers lessons for future projects aiming to captivate audiences in the ever-evolving landscape of action thrillers.