*Fuze* is an incredibly cool movie. It is, in part, an explosive countdown thriller; in part, a heist thriller; and in part, a revenge thriller. Much of its appeal lies in the fluidity with which it transitions between these different genres. Ben Hopkins (*Inside*) has penned a script full of twists, which director David Mackenzie (*Hell or High Water*) brings to the screen with great elegance.
The story begins with construction workers discovering what appears to be an unexploded World War II bomb while excavating at a work site. Local residents—including the immigrant Rahim (Elham Ehsas)—are evacuated as Major Will Tranter (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and his team arrive on the scene to defuse it. Police Superintendent Zuzana (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) oversees the situation from headquarters. The mission becomes complicated when they discover that the bomb’s timer mechanism has been activated. Meanwhile, criminals Karalis (Theo James), "X" (Sam Worthington), and two other accomplices seize the opportunity to rob a bank located right inside the blast zone.
Director: David Mackenzie
Writer: Ben Hopkins
Stars: Syiah George, Matthew Earley, Gugu Mbatha-Raw
What I have just described constitutes, perhaps, the first ten minutes of *Fuze*. The premise is established quickly, wasting no time on anything non-essential. Once the central concept is grasped, the story begins to generate a frenetic suspense. The tension stems from the uncertainty regarding whether the bomb will explode and, if so, when. Added to this is the tension of watching the robbers attempt to evade detection—especially when they are picked up by a police thermal camera. What follows is a getaway, a chase, and a betrayal, along with several additional plot twists that shed new light on the characters.
The fun of the film lies in its constant changes of course and unexpected turns. Novel elements are introduced repeatedly to keep the viewer surprised. Just when you think you have it all figured out, a new complication arises. In some cases, this approach could result in disjointed nonsense; however, Hopkins has crafted his narrative with such meticulousness that the various pieces fit together in a thoroughly satisfying manner. Furthermore, the screenwriter takes a significant risk with the final scene—a flashback that provides viewers with a crucial piece of information, indispensable for fully grasping the film as a whole. The more I reflect on that final scene, the more I appreciate it.
Mackenzie maintains a breakneck pace from start to finish, never once taking his foot off the proverbial gas pedal. Likewise, he masterfully directs an extraordinary cast. Given that the action unfolds over a relatively brief span of time, character development is not a particularly high priority; nevertheless, the director ensures that every actor is given the necessary space to leave their mark. Theo James delivers a standout performance as Karalis—an individual whose singular moral code leads him to behave in entirely unexpected ways.
*Fuze* proves relentlessly entertaining, and the clever closing credits—styled as a "Where Are They Now?" segment—serve as the perfect coda to the film's idiosyncratic worldview. Thanks to a solid ensemble cast and a constantly evolving plot, the ninety-eight-minute runtime flies by in the blink of an eye.
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