Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violent action thriller has some language, peril.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Hidden Strike
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Former soldier Luo Feng (Jackie Chan) is leading a private security group into the war-torn Middle East to rescue a group of scientists from an oil refinery under threat at the start of HIDDEN STRIKE. The only way out for the caravan of buses carrying hundreds of refinery workers and their families is via the so-called Highway of Death. There, the buses are overrun by a group of well-equipped and -trained mercenaries, led by Chris Van Horne (John Cena) and his brother Henry (Amadeus Serafini), who manage to capture the lead scientist and others. Chris has been duped by Henry into participating in the raid under false pretenses. It turns out Henry is working for bad guy Owen Paddock (Pilou Asbaek), who is behind the raid on the oil refinery. Luo Feng and Chris will have to team up to save the civilians, and both have personal interests at stake.
Is It Any Good?
If you're fine with far-fetched fight sequences and clunky dialogues, and so long as you don't dig too deep into the proverbial sands of this film's messages, the desert-set buddy thriller may entertain. Hidden Strike features rousing choreography carefully tailored to its lead duo's talents, namely Chan's martial arts skills and Cena's brute strength. The action is paired with buddy humor and a dash of cross-cultural commentary. In between fight sequences, and sometimes during, Chan and Cena engage in goofy verbal spars and mutual jabbing (the Americans come off worse). The storyline taps into fatigue with the so-called forever wars in the Middle East and a plague of mercenaries and corporations looking to profit off the devastated region. But don't expect much commentary on either.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the relationship between Chris and Luo in Hidden Strike. Why do you think they trust each other? Did you find their dialogues funny? Why or why not?
How does the choreography of the fight scenes differ for the two main stars?
In what ways does the film exploit its desert setting?
Did you detect any political commentary in the film's storyline?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : July 28, 2023
- Cast : Jackie Chan , John Cena , Pilou Asbaek
- Director : Scott Waugh
- Inclusion Information : Asian Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Friendship
- Run time : 143 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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