Extraction 3 (2025), directed by Sam Hargrave and starring Chris Hemsworth as the battle-worn mercenary Tyler Rake, is the latest installment in Netflix’s adrenaline-fueled action franchise. Following the explosive success of Extraction (2020) and Extraction 2 (2023), this third chapter delivers everything fans expect—brutal hand-to-hand combat, jaw-dropping long-take action sequences, and a surprising amount of emotional depth. While it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, Extraction 3 refines the formula, proving that this series is more than just mindless gunfire—it’s a masterclass in high-stakes, character-driven action cinema.

Plot: A Rescue Mission with Personal Stakes

Picking up after the events of Extraction 2, Tyler Rake (Hemsworth) is once again pulled out of semi-retirement—this time to rescue a kidnapped journalist, Elena Vasquez (Ana de Armas), who has uncovered damning evidence against a powerful Eastern European crime syndicate. What starts as a straightforward extraction mission quickly spirals into a personal vendetta when Rake discovers Elena’s connection to his own past.

Unlike the previous films, which focused on protecting innocent civilians, Extraction 3 shifts the stakes by making the mission deeply personal for Rake. Elena isn’t just another assignment—she’s someone who knows the truth about his shadowy history, forcing him to confront the ghosts he’s been running from. This emotional core elevates the film beyond its predecessors, giving Hemsworth more to work with than just stoic one-liners and bone-crunching fight choreography.

The script, once again penned by Avengers: Endgame director Joe Russo, balances breakneck pacing with moments of quiet introspection. Rake’s conversations with Elena reveal layers of guilt and regret, making him more than just a killing machine. That said, the film doesn’t linger too long on drama—once the bullets start flying, Extraction 3 rarely lets up.

Action: A Symphony of Chaos

If there’s one reason to watch Extraction 3, it’s the action. Sam Hargrave, a former stunt coordinator, continues to push the limits of practical stunt work and cinematography. The film’s centerpiece is a 21-minute single-take sequence that rivals Extraction 2’s prison break scene in sheer audacity. This time, Rake fights his way through a speeding train, a collapsing bridge, and a mid-air helicopter extraction—all without a visible cut. The choreography is flawless, the camera work immersive, and the sheer physicality of Hemsworth’s performance is staggering.

Gone are the shaky-cam quick cuts of lesser action films; Extraction 3 lets every punch, stab, and gunshot land with visceral impact. The fight scenes are brutal but never gratuitous—each confrontation serves the story, whether it’s a claustrophobic knife fight in a subway car or a desperate last stand in an abandoned factory. The film also introduces new environments, including a snowbound chase sequence that feels fresh compared to the urban warfare of the first two movies.

Performances: Hemsworth Cements His Action Hero Status

Chris Hemsworth has fully embraced Tyler Rake as one of his defining roles. He brings a gruff, world-weary intensity to the character, balancing raw physicality with moments of surprising vulnerability. This time, Rake isn’t just a hired gun—he’s a man haunted by his past, and Hemsworth sells that internal conflict without ever slowing the film’s momentum.

Ana de Armas is a fantastic addition to the franchise. Her Elena is sharp, resourceful, and far from a damsel in distress. She holds her own in the action scenes, and her chemistry with Hemsworth adds emotional weight to what could have been a purely mechanical plot.

The supporting cast is equally strong:

• Idris Elba returns as the enigmatic black-ops handler, adding gravitas in his limited screen time.

• Golshifteh Farahani reprises her role as Nik Khan, delivering another standout performance as Rake’s most reliable ally.

• Newcomer Darshan Jariwala plays the film’s primary antagonist, a ruthless crime lord with ties to Rake’s past. While not as memorable as Extraction 2’s Tornike Gogrichiani, he’s a formidable foe.

Direction & Cinematography: A Visual Spectacle

Sam Hargrave has honed his craft even further, delivering some of the most technically impressive action sequences in recent memory. The cinematography by Newton Thomas Sigel (Drive, Bohemian Rhapsody) is dynamic yet controlled, with sweeping wide shots that let the audience appreciate the scale of the chaos.

The film’s color palette shifts depending on the setting—gritty blues and grays for urban warfare, stark whites for the snowbound climax—giving each set piece a distinct visual identity. The sound design is equally impressive, with every gunshot, explosion, and crunching bone landing with terrifying clarity.

Music & Score: Pulse-Pounding and Emotional

Henry Jackman’s score is a perfect match for the film’s tone, blending electronic beats with orchestral swells during the quieter moments. The main theme, a haunting guitar riff, makes a triumphant return, now intertwined with a more melancholic melody that reflects Rake’s emotional journey.

Themes: Redemption in a World Without Mercy

At its core, Extraction 3 is about redemption. Rake has spent years trying to outrun his past, but this mission forces him to face it head-on. The film asks: Can a man who has done terrible things ever truly make amends? While it doesn’t offer easy answers, it suggests that even in a world drenched in bloodshed, small acts of humanity matter.

The dynamic between Rake and Elena mirrors this theme—she’s a truth-teller in a world of lies, and her presence forces Rake to acknowledge the consequences of his actions. It’s a surprisingly philosophical undercurrent for a film that also features a man jumping from a helicopter onto a moving train.

Flaws: Formulaic at Times

If Extraction 3 has a weakness, it’s that it doesn’t deviate much from the franchise’s established formula. The structure—Rake gets a mission, things go wrong, he fights his way out—is predictable. Some of the emotional beats feel familiar, especially if you’ve seen the first two films.

Additionally, while the action is breathtaking, there’s a slight sense of diminishing returns. The one-take sequences are still impressive, but they don’t feel as groundbreaking as they did in Extraction 2. That said, when the action is this well-executed, it’s hard to complain.

Final Verdict: The Best Extraction Yet

Extraction 3 is a near-perfect action film. It delivers bigger stunts, deeper character moments, and even more emotional stakes than its predecessors. Chris Hemsworth solidifies his place as one of the genre’s great leading men, and Sam Hargrave cements himself as the heir to directors like John Woo and Chad Stahelski.

Is it groundbreaking cinema? No. But it doesn’t need to be. Extraction 3 knows exactly what it is—a brutally efficient, heart-pounding thrill ride with just enough soul to make the carnage meaningful.

Rating: 9/10
Best for: Fans of John Wick, The Raid, and Mission: Impossible.
Takeaway: If you love action movies, Extraction 3 is mandatory viewing. Now, excuse me while I rewatch that 21-minute one-take sequence for the fifth time.