Fuze Review: Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Theo James Ignite a High-Voltage Nail-Biter

Let’s be honest, there’s nothing quite like a tight, well-executed thriller set in a real-world powder keg—especially when that powder keg is a very literal unexploded WWII bomb sitting under central London. That’s what you’re in for with Fuze, the latest from David Mackenzie, who’s apparently been on a personal mission to bring back the smart, twisty thrillers that packed the multiplexes in the ‘90s. Frankly, I’m here for it.

Bombs, Banks, and Plenty of Twists

Here’s the gist: London’s infamous history of unexploded German bombs isn’t just a throwaway for this movie—it’s the whole setup. When a bomb from the Second World War is uncovered, all hell threatens to break loose. The army swoops in, the police shut down the area, and what should have been a dicey but straightforward bomb removal turns into the perfect distraction for a pair of thieves who’ve got their eyes set on a multimillion-dollar bank job.

If you’re thinking ‘this seems almost too convenient,’ you’re not alone—and that’s the point. The heist seems a little too perfectly timed with the discovery of the bomb, and Mackenzie uses that to keep you second-guessing pretty much everything as the story unspools. You’ll be playing catch-up with the movie, not the other way around.

The Players

• Aaron Taylor-Johnson leads as Major Will Tranter—a soldier’s soldier, finding himself in the wrong place at the most high-pressure time. There’s an entire city block at risk, and he’s got his hands full trying to keep that bomb from turning everyone into a statistic.
• Theo James is one half of the thieving duo, playing up the cocky, morally-flexible bank robber with just the right amount of slime.
• Sam Worthington rounds out the criminal pair, a classic ‘professional with a code’ type who’s clearly seen some things. They’re both chasing after a mysterious envelope—details of which are a little foggy, but apparently it’s worth all this chaos.
• Gugu Mbatha-Raw pops up as a police officer monitoring everything from headquarters. If you were hoping she gets a big action moment, manage those expectations—she’s mostly stuck reacting to CCTV footage, which feels like a wasted opportunity for someone as talented as she is.

Keeps You Guessing (Mostly For The Right Reasons)

Mackenzie absolutely nails the suspense factor here, milking the tension every time someone so much as wipes sweat off their brow near the bomb. He jumps back and forth between the standoff outside and the escalating bank robbery inside, never letting either story slip into autopilot. There are plenty of twists (and yes, a few reversals that will trip you up), but none of them feel cheap. And when the action ramps up—snipers, gunfights, the works—you actually care what happens, which helps a lot.

The Vibe & Why It Works

Saw this one at TIFF in a sea of capital-D dramas, and honestly, it was a breath of fresh air. Mackenzie’s not out here trying to win Oscars—he just wants you to have a good time, and that’s what you get.

'It should go down like gangbusters with the audience.'

The soundtrack goes a little too on-the-nose sometimes, but that pulpy, borderline cheeky tone actually fits what the movie’s going for. It’s the sort of grown-up action fare we don’t get enough of these days.

The Downside? Blink-And-You’ll-Miss-It Release

Here’s the only real letdown: despite being tailor-made for big-screen fun, Fuze is barely getting a theatrical release. It’s rolling out this weekend from Roadside Attractions and Saban, but it’s up against flashier competition. Still—if you want something sharp, suspenseful, and actually made for adults (no capes, no cartoonish violence), this is worth your ticket or at least a solid rental.