Hidden Strike
Hidden Strike is a 2023 action-adventure film directed and edited by Scott Waugh and written by Arash Amel.[1][2] The movie marks the first on-screen collaboration between martial arts icon Jackie Chan and wrestler-turned-actor John Cena, who portray former special forces soldiers tasked with escorting a group of civilians through a perilous route in post-war Iraq.[2] Originally titled Project X-Traction, the film blends high-octane action sequences with comedic elements, emphasizing the duo's contrasting personalities amid explosive set pieces.[3] Set against the backdrop of the Iraq War's aftermath, the plot centers on Dragon Luo (Chan), a Chinese security expert, and John (Cena), an American mercenary, who must protect oil workers and other survivors traveling along a route known in the film as the "Highway of Death," inspired by the historical road's notoriety during the 1991 Gulf War, toward the safety of the Green Zone.[4][1] After their convoy is ambushed by mercenaries seeking valuable oil data, the protagonists navigate ambushes, sandstorms, and betrayals while uncovering deeper conspiracies tied to global resource shortages.[5] The story heightens tension over its 1-hour-42-minute runtime.[6] The film features a multinational cast, including Ma Chunrui as Mei, Pilou Asbæk as the antagonist, and supporting roles by Jia Xu and Rima Zeidan. Produced by a collaboration of Chinese and American companies such as XYZ Films, Huaxia Film Distribution, and Flame Pictures, Hidden Strike was filmed primarily in the Alxa Desert of Inner Mongolia, China, in 2018, though its post-production and release were delayed by various issues including the COVID-19 pandemic. Scott Waugh, known for directing Act of Valor, handled both direction and editing to ensure seamless integration of practical stunts and CGI-enhanced effects.[5] Hidden Strike premiered in the United Arab Emirates on July 6, 2023, before its international streaming debut on Netflix on July 28, 2023, bypassing a traditional theatrical release in most markets.[7] It received mixed-to-negative critical reception, earning a 25% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 16 reviews, with critics citing uneven pacing and overreliance on formulaic tropes despite the stars' chemistry.[1] Audience response was more favorable, with a 5.4/10 average on IMDb from over 21,000 users, praising the action and humor as lighthearted entertainment.[8] The film highlights themes of unlikely partnerships and resilience in chaos, appealing primarily to fans of Chan and Cena's action-comedy styles.[9]Overview
Plot
In Hidden Strike, a group of mercenaries led by the ruthless Owen Paddock launches a brutal assault on a Chinese-owned oil refinery in Iraq, aiming to seize control of the facility and its valuable resources for profit.[10] The attack traps numerous workers and civilians inside, prompting Unicorp to hire Luo Feng, a seasoned ex-special forces operative known as "Dragon" and portrayed by Jackie Chan, to lead a rescue operation. Feng assembles a team to evacuate the survivors along the infamous Highway of Death—a treacherous 120-kilometer stretch from the refinery to Baghdad's Green Zone, notorious for ambushes, minefields, and relentless enemy fire during the Gulf War.[11][10] As Feng's convoy of buses departs the refinery under heavy fire, they encounter immediate resistance from Paddock's forces, losing several vehicles in explosive ambushes that scatter the group. Among the evacuees is Professor Cheng, a key engineer holding critical access codes to the refinery's systems, and her young son, whom Paddock later uses as leverage. Feng's estranged daughter, Mei, an engineer at the facility portrayed by Ma Chunrui, joins the perilous journey, highlighting the personal stakes for Feng, who has been absent from her life since her mother's death during one of his missions. Meanwhile, Chris Van Horne, a disillusioned former U.S. Marine portrayed by John Cena living nearby, is initially recruited by Paddock through his brother Henry for what he believes is a straightforward security job.[11][10] Van Horne's involvement sours when he witnesses Paddock's true intent: not just theft, but the slaughter of civilians to eliminate witnesses. Henry is executed by Paddock for showing hesitation, driving Van Horne to defect and seek redemption by aiding the innocent, including orphans from a nearby village he has been protecting. After a tense confrontation with Feng's team during an ambush, Van Horne proves his shift in allegiance by helping repel attackers, forging an unlikely partnership between the Chinese and American soldiers despite initial cultural clashes and mutual distrust. Together, they navigate the Highway of Death's hazards—dodging IEDs, sniper fire, and armored vehicles—while rescuing additional hostages and piecing together Paddock's plan to ransom Cheng's codes for a massive oil payout.[10][11] The duo's alliance deepens as they prioritize teamwork over differences, with Van Horne's brute strength complementing Feng's tactical precision. They track Paddock to a desert village where he holds Mei and others captive, leading to a nighttime raid that frees the hostages but alerts Paddock to their pursuit. In the climactic assault on the refinery, Feng, Van Horne, and Mei infiltrate the facility amid gunfire and explosions. Van Horne confronts Paddock in a high-speed truck chase along the highway, culminating in a dramatic crash off a cliffside. Paddock attempts a final betrayal by cutting the rope holding Feng and Mei, but he plummets to his death, allowing the heroes to survive. Van Horne, presumed lost in the fall, emerges unscathed, securing the stolen oil convoy and ensuring its return.[10][11] In the resolution, Feng reconciles with Mei by mending a torn family photo, symbolizing his commitment to their bond, while Van Horne finds purpose in protecting the village orphans. The pair repairs a drought-stricken well, restoring water to the community and marking Van Horne's path to redemption. As they share a fist bump, Feng's team arrives with news of a new mission, hinting at future collaborations, though a mid-credits scene reaffirms their focus on the village's revival.[10][11]Cast
The principal cast of Hidden Strike features a mix of international action stars and supporting performers in key roles during the film's high-stakes evacuation scenario set in Iraq.[12]- Jackie Chan as "Dragon" Luo Feng, a retired Chinese special forces soldier working as a private security contractor who leads the protection detail for civilians escaping danger.[13]
- John Cena as Chris Van Horne, a former U.S. Marine and mercenary based in Iraq who joins the mission after initial reluctance, bringing his combat expertise to the team.[13]
- Ma Chunrui as Mei (also known as Luo Mei), Luo Feng's daughter and a civilian engineer who becomes a primary hostage and rescue objective amid the chaos.[14]
- Pilou Asbæk as Owen Paddock, the ruthless leader of a mercenary group orchestrating threats to the evacuees.[13]