There is a specific, gritty texture to the modern military thriller that audiences have come to crave, and this week, Hollywood has delivered a bruiser of a film that exceeds those expectations. One Last Shot hit theaters yesterday, September 22, 2026, and it is already proving to be the sleeper hit of the season. Directed by James Nunn, this 97-minute adrenaline surge does not waste a single frame on filler. It is a lean, muscular piece of filmmaking that grabs you by the collar in the first act and refuses to let go until the credits roll.
The premise is classic genre fare, but executed with a ferocity that feels fresh. We follow Navy SEAL Jake Harris, thrust into a nightmare scenario when a team of highly trained mercenaries threatens to dismantle the United States' missile defense network. The twist? The man leading the charge is Elliot Carter, Harris’s former comrade. This setup provides the film with its emotional engine: a clash of ideology and brotherhood that elevates the stakes beyond the typical "stop the bad guy" narrative.
At the center of this storm is Scott Adkins as Harris. Adkins has long been one of the most underrated action stars in the business - a martial artist with genuine screen presence - but here, he delivers a performance that carries the emotional weight of the film just as effectively as its physical punches. He plays Harris with a weary determination, a man who has sacrificed everything for his country, only to face his past in the most violent way possible.
Opposite him, Steven Cree turns in a chilling performance as Elliot Carter. Cree avoids the temptation to chew scenery; instead, he plays Carter with a quiet, disillusioned intensity. He isn't a mustache-twirling villain, but a man whose patriotism has curdled into something dangerous. The chemistry between Adkins and Cree is palpable, making their inevitable confrontations crackle with a tension that is as psychological as it is physical.
Nunn, who has established himself as a reliable architect of high-octane cinema, directs with a confident hand. He understands that in a 97-minute runtime, pacing is king. The film moves like a bullet train. There is little time for exposition dumps; instead, Nunn relies on visual storytelling and the charisma of his cast to fill in the gaps. The action sequences are shot with clarity and impact, mixing tactical gunplay with brutal hand-to-hand combat. It is refreshing to see a film where the geography of a firefight is coherent, allowing the audience to understand exactly how high the stakes are at every turn.
The supporting cast is equally sturdy, adding depth to the world of international espionage and covert operations. Dolph Lundgren brings a gravitas to Admiral Mulholland, serving as the anchor of authority in a world spiraling out of control. Hannah Ware provides a sharp, grounded turn as Elena Torres, while Kane Kosugi, Neil Linpow, Ray Fearon, and Tom Dunne round out a cast that is clearly committed to making this world feel lived-in and real.
What makes One Last Shot resonate beyond its action beats is its central question of loyalty. In a world where lines are blurred and enemies look like friends, the film asks what happens when the institutions we trust fail us. Harris and Carter represent two sides of the same coin - one broken by the system, the other refusing to give up on it. It is a simple, effective hook that propels the movie forward with a sense of urgency.
The film has already struck a chord with audiences. With a TMDb rating of 8.1/10, it is clear that viewers are responding to the no-nonsense approach and the sheer star power of Adkins. In an era often dominated by CGI-heavy blockbusters, there is something satisfying about a film that feels grounded, tactile, and hard-hitting.
If you are looking for a film that delivers on its promise of tension and action, One Last Shot is exactly what the doctor ordered. It is a taut, explosive thriller that proves Scott Adkins is a leading man capable of carrying a major Hollywood feature, and it cements James Nunn as a director to watch. It is a shot worth taking.
