Seized (2020)

Seized is the kind of lean, hard-charging action thriller that knows exactly what it is: a relentless showcase for Scott Adkins at full physical power, shot with Isaac Florentine’s slick, fluid camerawork that keeps the mayhem readable and propulsive instead of noisy. The vibe is gritty and videogame-direct—missions, momentum, and a ticking-clock nastiness—yet it sneaks in just enough dry wit and father-son urgency to give the carnage a pulse. Mario Van Peebles brings a cool, taunting menace that sharpens every confrontation, while the fight scenes deliver the clean, punishing choreography Adkins fans show up for. It’s not for viewers who flinch at severe violence, harsh language, or a sleazy club detour, but if you want a no-nonsense adrenaline hit that never pretends to be more complicated than it needs to be, this one earns its bruises.

Seized is trying to be a lean, no-nonsense Scott Adkins vehicle: a ticking-clock rescue thriller where the plot exists mainly to shuttle him from one fight and shootout to the next. The problem is it plays like a familiar video-game campaign—go here, kill these guys, repeat—so if you need fresh twists, smart villains, or emotional depth, you’ll feel the gears grinding. The violence is relentless and the R-rated sleaze (including a club sequence with nudity) isn’t subtle, which can make the whole thing feel more exhausting than exciting. Still, if your bar is “competent, hard-hitting Adkins action” and you don’t mind a cookie-cutter story, it delivers enough clean choreography and pace to kill 90 minutes.