Xtreme
Action-packed but extremely violent revenge-fantasy movie.
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Xtreme
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Xtreme is a 2021 Spanish action movie in which a retired hitman gets revenge on his boss and stepbrother two years after betraying him and killing his family. This movie is extremely violent. Dozens of characters are killed or maimed in a variety of ways and with a variety of implements -- everything from machine guns and guns, to knives and swords, grenades, nail guns, handsaws, and wrenches. Much of the violence is also quite graphic, as characters are stabbed in the eyes, throat, and forehead and shot in the head at point-blank range. The teen lead character, a drug dealer at the beginning of the movie, gets his hand slammed in a car door repeatedly by his boss for stealing money; while gravely injured, his hand miraculously heals up a short time later. Decapitated head in a bag. In addition to the constant violence, there's constant profanity, including "f--k" and "motherf--ker" and a homophobic slur. Cigarette and cigar smoking. Shot drinking, characters get drunk. In Spanish, with English subtitles.
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What's the Story?
In XTREME, Max is a Barcelona hitman who is helping his stepbrother Lucero with one last job before retiring. After finishing the job, Lucero betrays then kills his father, tries to kill his stepsister María, and then sends hitmen to Max's house, where Max barely survives the attack and is presumed dead by Lucero and his henchmen, but his young son is brutally murdered. Two years later, Max lives an isolated existence inside of a car repair garage, training and working out and planning his revenge on Lucero, who has remained hidden in Japan, learning the ways of the Yakuza. Max's plans are soon altered when he meets Leo, a teen drug dealer who deals drugs only to help his poor family. Leo keeps getting sent to deal drugs in a nightclub owned by the Russians, where he's certain to be gravely injured. After Max saves Leo from a brutal beatdown, Max decides to train Leo in self defense. But when Leo gets his hand repeatedly slammed in a car door by his boss, Max reemerges to avenge Leo, an action that reveals to Lucero and his crew that Max is in fact still alive. Soon, Leo's family is brutally murdered by Lucero's men, and Leo goes into hiding with Max and María, who must now alter their plans on getting even with Lucero, who is returning to Barcelona for a conclave of crime bosses. If the crime bosses agree to Lucero's demands, Lucero will then be deemed "untouchable" and Max, Maria, and Leo cannot kill him. The three victims of Lucero's treachery must find a way to get vengeance before it's too late.
Is It Any Good?
This is a bombastically violent but thoroughly enjoyable revenge fantasy action movie. Xtreme is a movie so over-the-top and exaggerated, it makes pro wrestling look like a Jane Austen novel. Instead of the proverbial "tables, ladders, and chairs" of professional wrestling, in Xtreme, the viewer is treated to constant fight scenes involving everything from machine guns to handsaws, nail guns, samurai swords, knives to wrenches, and so much more. Yes, it's absurd, but no less so than, say, movie franchises with the words "fast" and "furious" in the title, and the absurdity is far more entertaining than that obnoxious franchise, with far less eyerolling over corny, testosterone-fueled dialogue.
It's not exactly breaking any new cinematic ground, but it's an action movie after all, and in terms of what viewers want from an action movie -- you guessed it: action -- Xtreme goes above and beyond. The acting is good enough, the good characters have enough development to make the viewer root for them, and the bad guys are the right level of both weaselly and vicious to enjoy their comeuppance. It's not a movie for everyone -- those more on the Jane Austen side of the spectrum as opposed to the pro wrestling side aren't likely to enjoy moments of gruesome stabbings in the throat or eyes, and while those moments are relatively rare, the general carnage is not. Those looking for action movies without so much violence are better off steering clear. But for those looking for a fun action movie that isn't smart but isn't mindless either, Xtreme is an enjoyable frenzy of unbridled vengeance.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in action movies like Xtreme. How does the violence compare to other action movies? Is it necessary? Why or why not?
Why are action movies so popular? What's the appeal?
What are some other examples of movies centered on the lead character trying to get revenge? Why do you think revenge is such a popular theme?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: June 4, 2021
- Cast: Teo García, Óscar Casas, Andrea Duro
- Director: Daniel Benmayor
- Studio: Netflix
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Run time: 111 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: February 17, 2023
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