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One in the Chamber

One in the Chamber may also refer to the 2012 . For other uses, see One in the Chamber (disambiguation). One in the Chamber is a free-for-all multiplayer game mode in the Call of Duty franchise, where players start with a loaded with one , three lives, and must eliminate opponents with a single precise shot to any body part or by attack to gain additional and continue competing until the last player remains. First introduced as a Wager Match in Call of Duty: Black Ops in 2010, the mode emphasizes accuracy and close-quarters combat, quickly becoming a fan-favorite party game within the series. It has since appeared in multiple titles, including Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 as part of FFA Gunplay, Call of Duty: Black Ops II, Call of Duty: Ghosts, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, Call of Duty: Warzone, Call of Duty: Mobile, and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 in its Season 4 update in 2025. While core mechanics remain consistent across appearances—starting with limited ammo and rewarding kills with reloads—variations include availability in Warzone as a limited-time multiplayer playlist and limited-time playlists, often featuring randomized starting weapons. The mode's high-stakes, skill-based gameplay has influenced similar community-created modes in other titles like and , but it originated and endures as a hallmark of 's multiplayer diversity.

Story and characters

Plot

After the fall of , criminals from the former USSR flooded into , establishing crime syndicates in where authorities were powerless and laws were supplanted by criminal rule. Weapons and drug dealers turned the city into a for operations. Ray Carver is an assassin who works for two rival families. After failing to assassinate Demyan Ivanov—one of the crime bosses—when Ivanov uses a as a , Carver is dismissed. In retaliation or to cover his tracks, Carver then kills Bobby Suverov, the brother of the other boss, Mikhail Suverov. Enraged, Mikhail hires Aleksey "The Wolf" Andreev, a legendary and rumored-to-be-fictional , to eliminate Carver. As The Wolf pursues Carver, leading to intense confrontations including gunfights and hand-to-hand combat amid escalating gang warfare, the two assassins realize they are caught in a larger conflict. They eventually team up to eradicate the members of Prague's criminal underworld.

Cast

The principal cast of One in the Chamber features a mix of American, British, and international actors portraying the assassins and mob figures in the Prague underworld. Cuba Gooding Jr. stars as Ray Carver, the skilled assassin playing both sides of the gang war. Dolph Lundgren portrays Aleksey "The Wolf" Andreev, the charismatic and ruthless hitman hired to take down Carver. Supporting roles include Claudia Bassols as Janice Knowles, a woman connected to Carver whom he seeks to protect. plays Bobby Suverov, a member of one of the warring families. Billy Murray appears as Leo Crosby, a powerful mob figure. takes on the role of Demyan Ivanov, the targeted . Andrew Bicknell portrays Mikhail Suverov, the vengeful leader who hires The Wolf. Additional cast members include Catalin Babliuc as Liev and Lia Sinchevici as Mila.

Production

Development

"One in the Chamber" originated as an original action thriller script written by Benjamin Shahrabani and Derek Kolstad, with Chad Law contributing a rewrite, and a draft completed on March 28, 2011. The story draws inspiration from the rise of organized crime in Eastern Europe following the fall of communism, where American criminals sought refuge from U.S. justice in a region with lax law enforcement. Directed by William Kaufman, who had previously helmed low-budget action films such as "Sinners and Saints" (2010), the project emphasized a high-octane narrative centered on rival assassins navigating a Russian gang war in Prague. The production was spearheaded by (MPCA), in association with Mediapro Studios and Throttle Films, marking the fourth MPCA project at MediaPro Studios in . With a of approximately $6 million, the film was positioned as a actioner, prioritizing intense shootouts and a dual-lead structure featuring competing hitmen over intricate plotting. This approach echoed the straightforward assassin thrillers of the and , focusing on visceral action sequences to drive the conflict between the protagonists. Development progressed swiftly in early 2011, with culminating in beginning on July 10, 2011, in . Script revisions during this phase addressed pacing and logistical feasibility for the Eastern European setting, ensuring the story's criminal underworld elements aligned with practical filming constraints at MediaPro Studios. The project was formally announced amid shooting in mid-2011, setting the stage for a 2012 release.

Casting

Dolph Lundgren was attached to the project in its early stages, drawn by his established status as an action star and his multiple prior collaborations with the production company Nu Image/Millennium Films, including The Mechanik (2005), Missionary Man (2007), and Icarus (2010). These partnerships had solidified Lundgren's role in direct-to-video action thrillers, making him a natural fit for the lead assassin character. Cuba Gooding Jr. was subsequently cast opposite Lundgren to provide dramatic weight and emotional depth to the narrative, with the announcement of his involvement occurring in mid-2011. Supporting roles were filled with international talent to complement the leads, including British actors Leo Gregory as the gangster Strokov and Billy Murray as the crime boss Guy Greaves, selected for their experience in intense, villainous portrayals. Spanish actress Claudia Bassols was chosen for the female lead role of Janice Knowles, adding a layer of authenticity to the Prague-set story through her background in international cinema. The process emphasized blending American headliners with a diverse ensemble, including and performers, to reflect the film's cross-cultural criminal underworld without compromising the action-driven core. On the crew side, William Kaufman was brought on as director for what would be his third feature film, following Sinners and Saints (2010) and his 2011 thriller The Hit List, which notably also starred Cuba Gooding Jr. and allowed for a creative reunion. Cinematographer Mark Rutledge was hired for his expertise in capturing high-energy action sequences, having previously worked on films like Until Death (2007) and In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale (2007). Stunt coordinator Dian Hristov, a Bulgarian specialist with credits on international action productions, was attached to oversee the film's intense fight and shootout choreography.

Filming

Principal photography for One in the Chamber took place entirely in over approximately 25 days, beginning on July 10, 2011, with the production wrapping up later that summer. The choice of as a allowed the production to double for the story's setting in , a generic Eastern European city, leveraging cost-effective facilities and urban environments. Key shooting sites included the streets and downtown areas of for dynamic action sequences, the medieval districts of to capture gritty urban atmospheres, and interiors at MediaPro Studios in for controlled scenes such as warehouses and clubs. These locations facilitated authentic Eastern European visuals while accommodating the film's high-energy demands. The production emphasized practical effects and real s to achieve a raw, intense feel, with minimal use of . Mark Rutledge employed handheld camerawork during action sequences to enhance the gritty realism, particularly in close-quarters fights and pursuits. Notable s included a high-speed rappel down a narrow building shaft performed by Cuba Gooding Jr.'s stunt double, Mark Hicks, coordinated by Dian Hristov, and a double car impact sequence involving stunt performers Mike Mukatis and Keith Davis under Jeff Galpin's supervision, executed on unforgiving concrete surfaces with limited padding. Challenges arose from coordinating complex action in historic and urban settings, requiring precise timing for vehicle chases and impacts to avoid damage to protected areas, though permits helped mitigate disruptions. High-risk sequences posed concerns due to tight margins for error, described by William Kaufman as "super sketchy," but no major accidents were reported. Minor delays occurred from logistical hurdles in the fast-paced schedule, including Dolph Lundgren's limited involvement during .

Release

Theatrical release

One in the Chamber had its world premiere screening at the Film Market on May 18, 2012, serving as a low-key introduction to industry professionals without major red-carpet events typical of its B-movie positioning. The film received a in select international markets, such as on August 23, 2012, while in the United States it was primarily a release on August 21, 2012, handled by for North American distribution. This strategy focused on building buzz for media through minimal theater play, wider video-on-demand availability, and festival screenings rather than a broad cinematic rollout. The international rollout continued in late with video releases in additional territories, including on October 20 and on November 15.

Marketing

The marketing campaign for One in the Chamber was modest and geared toward audiences, primarily targeting fans of thrillers through platforms and promotions following its August 21, 2012, DVD and Blu-ray release by . Efforts focused on building pre-order interest via online ads and tie-ins with rental services, capitalizing on the film's low-budget appeal without large-scale theatrical hype. Key promotional materials included an official trailer released in July 2012, which showcased high-octane action sequences featuring leads Dolph Lundgren and Cuba Gooding Jr. as rival assassins in a Russian gang war. The trailer's emphasis on gunfights and double-crosses aimed to evoke classic '80s-style action, garnering views on platforms like YouTube. Posters reinforced the assassin thriller theme with stark imagery of the stars holding firearms, accompanied by the tagline "When killers collide, every bullet counts." Partnerships extended to video rental chains, notably , where the film quickly entered the top 20 rentals in late August 2012, boosting visibility among casual viewers. Internationally, promotion in was handled by local distributors, including DVD releases in the UK market to tap into Lundgren's established fanbase. Strategies highlighted the stars' prior successes, such as Lundgren's role in (2010), in TV spots and online ads to draw genre enthusiasts, though no significant controversies or viral moments emerged.

Home media

The home video release of One in the Chamber began with a North American launch on DVD and Blu-ray by / on August 21, 2012. The two-disc combo pack featured the film in on Blu-ray with a 1.78:1 and English 5.1 audio, alongside a standard-definition DVD. Special features included an track with William Kaufman, as well as a behind-the-scenes . International physical releases followed in late 2012, including Region 2 DVDs in distributed through local partners, such as a edition released on August 27. Digital downloads and rentals became available shortly thereafter on platforms including and Apple iTunes, expanding accessibility beyond . By 2025, One in the Chamber has transitioned primarily to streaming services, with availability on ad-supported (free with ads), as well as subscription options like (as of November 2025). The film has seen no major re-releases or special editions beyond the initial standard combo pack.

Reception

Critical response

One in the Chamber received mixed to negative , often characterized as a typical with limited appeal beyond enthusiasts. The film lacks a Tomatometer score on due to insufficient critic reviews, while audience approval stands at 29% based on over 250 ratings. On , it holds a 5.1 out of 10 rating from more than 5,000 user votes. Metacritic does not have an entry or aggregated score for the film. Critics who reviewed the film praised its action choreography and Dolph Lundgren's charismatic performance as the eccentric assassin "The Wolf." In a DVD Talk assessment, the action sequences were highlighted for their effective execution with minimal CGI reliance and solid stunt work, providing efficient pacing during fight scenes. Lundgren's delivery of corny dialogue was noted for adding a layer of fun, mindless entertainment value, elevating the otherwise formulaic proceedings. Some outlets appreciated the film's B-movie energy as a guilty pleasure for fans of low-budget thrillers. However, the film faced derision for its clichéd plot, weak dialogue, and underdeveloped characters. Reviewers criticized the melodramatic script and pedestrian storytelling, which failed to rise above generic mafia thriller tropes. Cuba Gooding Jr.'s portrayal of the conflicted hitman Ray Carver was seen as solid but unable to overcome the material's limitations, with comparisons drawn to schlock that prioritizes violence over substance. The narrative's exploration of loyalty within the criminal was handled superficially, relying on outdated stereotypes that felt anachronistic even in . Key reviews underscored this divide. described it as "a decent enough modestly budgeted B-grade action movie that should have been a whole lot better," recommending it for its technical merits despite narrative flaws. Movie Film Review called it "just okay," an unremarkable entry in the that neither excels nor fails spectacularly. Overall, the positioned One in the Chamber as competent but forgettable fare, appealing primarily to undemanding action aficionados.

Box office

One in the Chamber had a estimated at $6 million. Released on August 21, 2012, by , the film had no significant theatrical earnings. The film performed adequately in the home media market, typical for action films of the era. No major re-releases have generated significant additional earnings.

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