SPOILER WARNING: The next article incorporates main spoilers for Exterritorial. For those who’ve but to observe the motion thriller, please flip again and test it out together with your Netflix subscription.
Netflix has been on a roll this 12 months on the subject of gripping and hard-hitting motion films. From the shock hit Advert Vitum in the beginning of the 2025 film schedule to the long-in-the-works Havoc starring Tom Hardy, there’s been quite a bit to like for followers of nice motion films. The streaming service simply launched one other addition to that listing with Exterritorial, a German thriller a couple of former soldier shedding her son on the American Consulate.
Regardless of the nice setup, stellar combat sequences, and a gripping story that goes to some pretty darkish locations and doesn’t shrink back from psychological well being points, there’s something I didn’t like all that a lot about Exterritorial. So, what’s the one change I’d make? Let’s get into that, however first let me sing this movie’s praises…
Exterritorial Has A Gripping Story And Some Of The Greatest Motion I’ve Seen All 12 months
I’ve watched a ton of motion films this 12 months (a big portion of that are 2025 Netflix films), and I can say that Exterritorial has one of the vital gripping tales and among the greatest motion of the pack. Sara, a former German Particular Forces soldier coping with her younger son being kidnapped and looking for him within the American Consulate (the place German legal guidelines don’t apply), is a wonderfully written character who is dropped at life by Jeanne Goursau’s unbelievable efficiency.
I didn’t know who to belief because the film went on, even Sara, who was nonetheless coping with some heavy post-traumatic stress dysfunction years after fight within the conflict in Afghanistan. The evolution of the story, mixed with combat sequences and shootouts akin to one thing within the John Wick franchise, gave twists and turns all the way in which till the very finish.
However The Reveal About Sara’s Son’s Disappearance Was So Unoriginal
Don’t get me unsuitable, the movie had an okay touchdown that gave us much more outrageous motion sequences, however I used to be unimpressed with the rationale behind Sara’s son being kidnapped by the People. Round two-thirds of the way in which by the film, it’s revealed that Eric Kynch (Dougray Scott), the pinnacle of regional safety on the consulate, was behind the kidnapping all alongside and was making an attempt to lure Sara there in order that he may kill her as she knew about him betraying his nation and giving delicate data to the Taliban.
I really feel like I’ve seen numerous films the place the villain’s plan revolves round her or him going to nice lengths to kill somebody in order that they don’t discuss and get them in hassle. For a film that started off so robust and teased some heavy psychological thriller parts, the ending simply felt unoriginal and flat.
I Want The Film Had As an alternative Taken A Extra Psychological Method, Which It Teased A number of Occasions
All through Exterritorial, it’s made very clear that Sara, as seen within the movie’s trailer, is affected by some critical PTSD and has a tough time telling the distinction between actuality and fantasy, which provides one other layer to the story. Nevertheless, that finally ends up being for nothing, and all these teases (just like the one the place Sara’s son was faraway from all the safety footage in order that she seems like she’s misplaced her thoughts) simply find yourself being pointless.
I actually assume the film would have been higher if it went all-in on the psychological thriller facet and given us a less-than-cheery conclusion. Yeah, it might have been darkish and would depart issues on a extra down observe, however I believe it might have given us a completely wild ending that wouldn’t appear fully out of left discipline because of all these early scenes.
Was the Exterritorial ending sufficient to smash the film for me? No, not likely. However I did really feel prefer it was what saved this good motion flick from being an ideal and memorable thriller.