Stallone's cameo can't save bland spy thriller 'Alarum'

The spy thriller Alarum struggles with lackluster performances and a predictable plot, leaving Sylvester Stallone's brief role as the only highlight.

Scott Eastwood and Sylvester Stallone in Alarum. © Lionsgate

By Intan Adhirajasa

Michael Polish’s Alarum presents itself as a high-stakes, high-adrenaline spy thriller, but it ultimately falls flat under the weight of predictable characters, a sluggish plot, and a lack of the pulse-pounding energy the genre demands. Despite boasting Sylvester Stallone in a prominent role, the film struggles to deliver anything resembling excitement or intrigue. By the time Stallone graces the screen in his role as Chester, a world-weary assassin, audiences will have already experienced an hour of uninspired, by-the-numbers spy fare. Unfortunately, even his seasoned presence can’t breathe life into this tired project.

The film's marketing heavily leans on Stallone’s star power, but don’t be fooled. Fans eagerly awaiting his appearance will have to wait a full 25 minutes before his character even makes an entrance. Prior to that, Alarum wastes its time on Scott Eastwood, who plays Joe, a smug and forgettable spy whose personality is as thin as a bullet casing. Eastwood attempts to embody the charm and wit of a seasoned secret agent, but he misses the mark entirely. Instead of offering the charisma and sharpness that such a role requires, Eastwood delivers a lackluster performance that makes Joe feel more like a cardboard cutout than a compelling character. His portrayal fails to capture the wit and complexity that make spy thrillers so compelling, leaving audiences disengaged.

At its core, Alarum follows a well-worn spy thriller premise. Joe and his wife, Lara (played by Willa Fitzgerald), are rogue agents who have spent the past five years on the run after a rather clichéd meet-cute incident involving falling out of the same window. This moment serves as a flimsy excuse for their bond but fails to provide any real depth to their relationship. The film leans heavily on the idea of these two being highly trained operatives, but the characters lack the complexity and nuance that could have made them compelling.

The central conflict begins when Joe is suspected of joining a mysterious intelligence network known as Alarum. As a result, Chester, an experienced assassin, is tasked with taking him out. The premise itself offers potential, but the execution is where the film falters. Instead of diving into a world of espionage and deception, Alarum offers a muddled, predictable plot full of action tropes that have been seen countless times before. The film traverses a series of bleak, indistinguishable East European locations, offering little in terms of visual intrigue or tension.

The plot unfolds in a series of dull, uninspired sequences that fail to build any meaningful momentum. The film’s reliance on standard spy thriller elements—such as covert operations, drone strikes, and shootouts—does nothing to set it apart from countless others in the genre. The lack of originality is felt throughout the film, as it seems to recycle ideas from more successful action films without offering anything fresh or exciting.

While Alarum might not rely heavily on strong performances, it’s disappointing to see talented actors like Mike Colter relegated to a villainous role that feels beneath him. Colter, known for his compelling portrayal of the tormented priest in Evil (2019-24), plays a supervillain who slaughters his own men in a sadistic effort to enforce obedience. Given Colter’s impressive range and commanding presence, it’s hard to believe his talents were squandered on a character so one-dimensional and forgettable. Colter’s portrayal of the villain is far from inspiring, and it’s clear that the film didn’t make full use of his abilities.

Additionally, Lara’s character—“the best trained killer in the world,” as she repeatedly claims—falls flat due to a lack of depth. Fitzgerald plays the role with a cold, calculated demeanor, but the character is nothing more than a trope of the tough female agent. Instead of creating a fully realized character with real stakes and motivations, Lara is reduced to a walking cliché. There’s little emotional resonance in her actions, and the relationship between her and Joe feels hollow and underdeveloped. Their dynamic lacks the chemistry and complexity that could have added a layer of intrigue to the story.

The film also fails to create a sense of tension or conflict between the protagonists and their enemies. Chester’s pursuit of Joe feels mechanical and without emotional investment. The characters’ motivations are vague at best, and their actions often seem to follow a script rather than any genuine internal struggle. As a result, the viewer is left with little to care about beyond the film’s superficial action scenes.

Cinematography plays an important role in any action thriller, but in Alarum, the visual style does little to elevate the film. The film’s East European settings are poorly executed, with little to distinguish one location from the next. The lack of visual flair or creative shot composition leaves the film feeling dull and uninspired. In a genre that thrives on stylish, high-energy visuals, Alarum is a letdown.

The cinematography fails to add any meaningful texture to the story. The use of dark, washed-out colors and uninspired set design gives the film a drab, lifeless aesthetic. There’s no sense of atmosphere or tension in the settings, which makes it even harder for the audience to become immersed in the world of espionage and intrigue. In a film that relies so heavily on its action sequences to drive the narrative, the lack of visual excitement is a significant shortcoming.

The action sequences in Alarum offer little to write home about. The film is peppered with shootouts, car chases, and explosions, but none of them bring anything new to the table. The film’s action scenes feel like they’ve been plucked from a template of spy thriller clichés, offering nothing that hasn’t been done countless times before. While it’s clear that the filmmakers intended for these sequences to be thrilling and fast-paced, they lack the urgency and excitement that make action films truly memorable.

The film’s most glaring issue in this regard is the lack of suspense. The stakes never feel high, and the action scenes rarely carry any real weight. The violence is rote and bloodless, with characters firing weapons and exchanging blows without any emotional payoff. In a genre that thrives on tension, Alarum is action scenes feel hollow and detached. Instead of thrilling the audience, they only serve to further highlight the film’s lack of originality and excitement.

Ultimately, Alarum feels like a missed opportunity—a spy thriller that never quite hits its mark. The film’s uninspired plot, flat characters, and lackluster action sequences leave it feeling more like a placeholder than a standout entry in the genre. While Sylvester Stallone’s brief appearance provides a moment of intrigue, it’s far too late in the film to salvage what’s been a dull, unremarkable ride. Despite its potential, Alarum offers little more than a rehash of spy thriller tropes that have been done better elsewhere. If the film has any hope of continuing as a franchise, it will need much more than a few familiar faces and predictable action sequences to make it worthwhile.

Share