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Alarum has the ingredients of a brisk spy thriller: a retired assassin couple, a secret file, and intelligence agents closing in. But the premise does not overcome the film’s weakly staged action and muddled plotting. The critical case against it is unusually stark; Rotten Tomatoes showed a 0% Tomatometer from 22 reviews when accessed October 7, 2026. That score is a snapshot, not a substitute for considering what critics actually faulted.
What is Alarum about?
Directed by Michael Polish and written by Alexander Vesha, Alarum is a 2025 action-crime spy thriller starring Scott Eastwood, Willa Fitzgerald, Mike Colter, and Sylvester Stallone. STARZ describes its leads as a retired assassin couple whose quiet life is disrupted by a plane crash and a secret file wanted by government operatives. Highland Film Group’s synopsis identifies the couple as Joe and Lara and says CIA agent Chester, played by Stallone, is sent to kill them.
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Cuéntame Cómo Pasó : Vol. 2 - (Temp. 3-5) (12 DVD + Book) (2003,2004) (12Dvds) (Import) | $28.90 | Buy on Amazon |
That setup gives the film a clear pursuit-thriller engine: the couple must contend with agencies and operatives who want the file, while the audience tries to understand what it contains and whom to trust. The premise is serviceable, but the tension depends on clear explanations, convincing character choices, and action that makes each shift in the chase matter.
Why does the thriller fail to take off?
A familiar premise needs sharper storytelling
A secret file and competing intelligence factions are familiar spy-thriller devices. They can work when the stakes are legible and the characters’ loyalties feel consequential. The Rotten Tomatoes critics consensus calls Alarum’s plot convoluted but banal: a combination that suggests complication without enough freshness or payoff to justify it. In a story built around a MacGuffin, confusion about the file or the pursuit can drain urgency rather than create mystery.
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- Cuéntame Cómo Pasó : Vol. 2 - (Temp. 3-5) (12 DVD + Book) (2003,2004) (12Dvds) (Import)
The action does not supply enough momentum
Variety critic Dennis Harvey, reviewing the film on January 17, 2025, wrote that it tries to compensate for unspectacular production values with action, “but its staging is pedestrian at best.” That is a specific criticism of execution, not a claim that the film lacks action. When the staging fails to make movement, danger, or geography compelling, more action cannot by itself make a chase feel exciting.
The ensemble does not overcome the script
The cast brings recognizable names to the premise, but the critics consensus also faults the performances as uninspired. Peter Sobczynski of RogerEbert.com, in a January 17, 2025 review, wrote that Stallone’s work here makes his appearance in The Expendables 4 seem “focused and committed by comparison.” That is Sobczynski’s judgment of this performance; it should not be read as a verdict on Stallone’s career. More broadly, star presence cannot replace character definition or a script that gives the cast persuasive material.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What do the ratings say?
Rotten Tomatoes showed a 0% Tomatometer from 22 critic reviews and a 14% Popcornmeter from 100+ audience ratings when accessed October 7, 2026. These figures can change as reviews and ratings are added. The critics’ score reflects the share of reviews classified as positive, not a rating out of 100; neither aggregate explains the film as well as the recurring complaints about pedestrian action, performances, and an unconvincing story.
Is Alarum worth watching?
Approach it as a low-expectation action thriller rather than as a distinctive spy story or a showcase for its ensemble. The central chase premise is easy to grasp, but the available critical assessments point to the elements that should make it engaging—plot, staging, and performances—as the weak links. Viewers chiefly curious about the cast may still find it worth sampling; anyone looking for tightly plotted espionage or memorable action has reason to pass.
Where can you watch it?
Rotten Tomatoes lists STARZ for subscription streaming and Fandango for rental or purchase, and Prime Video has a title page. Those listings do not guarantee present availability in every country: catalogs and transaction options vary by region and date. Check the service in your location before subscribing or renting. Rotten Tomatoes lists a 95-minute runtime and Prime Video lists 1 hour 34 minutes; for consistency, use the Rotten Tomatoes listing when quoting a runtime.
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