Six Years Later, Pedro Pascal & Charlie Hunnam’s Action Film Remains a Netflix Sleeper Hit

Triple Frontier is one of the many exciting and captivating action movies that Netflix has produced, and it’s high time that J.C. Chandor’s film gets the recognition it deserves. Since 2012, Netflix has made a significant impact on the action genre with films like The Harder They Fall (2021), Extraction (2020), and most recently, Carry On (2024). Being popular since 2007 as a DVD rental service, Netflix also offers an extensive collection of television series and movies outside the action genre for its subscribers to enjoy.

A great action movie relies on a compelling narrative with significant consequences at stake. It’s crucial that the plot moves along smoothly without relying too heavily on excessive fight scenes or explosions every few minutes. Instead, the fighting, stunts, and overall conflicts should be skillfully designed and flawlessly executed to keep viewers engaged. The main character of an action movie must be someone who warrants our attention, while the antagonists should equally captivate us. For instance, the film Triple Frontier, released in March 2019, excels in all these aspects.

The Cast of Triple Frontier Portrays Interesting Characters

Santiago “Pope” Garcia and His Comrades Are Flawed, Yet Endearing

The movie Triple Frontier revolves around five ex-Delta Force agents, including Santiago “Pope” Garcia (Oscar Isaac), who are planning to swindle $75 million from a drug cartel under false pretenses. Pope’s informant Yovanna (Adria Arjona) alerts him about the opportunity, and he gathers his four former comrades for the mission: Tom “Redfly” Davis (Ben Affleck), now a realtor; William “Ironhead” Miller (Charlie Hunnam), a motivational speaker; Ironhead’s brother, Ben “Benny” Miller (Garrett Hedlund), an MMA fighter; and Francisco “Catfish” Morales (Pedro Pascal), a pilot. All of them have since moved on from their military lives when the story of Triple Frontier unfolds.

Charlie Hunnam, portraying William ‘Ironhead’ Miller, stated that he was exceptional, capable of stopping, guiding, and altering actions; all fundamental human urges directed towards a single aim – achieving my objective. However, inflicting severe harm on fellow humans has physical and emotional consequences. That’s the cost of being a warrior.
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In spite of the elapsed time, Pope and the ex-Delta Force operatives swiftly arrive in the Colombian rainforest to kickstart their operation. As events unfold, it becomes evident that the key characters in Triple Frontier, though not precisely heroes, are more accurately portrayed as driven by a self-serving thirst for wealth, with Redfly being particularly money-hungry.

Despite Redfly and their companions being morally ambiguous, if not downright corrupt, the movie manages to portray them in a way that makes them relatable and easy to support. With vast sums of money at stake, the tension and desperation of each character is evidently felt. Among the five ex-agents, Pope’s persona stands out as he consistently demonstrates emotional intelligence during their travels through South America.

Triple Frontier Features an Action-Packed Story

The Fast-Paced Action Sequences are Intense

Triple Frontier speeds along at a breakneck pace from the start, barely pausing until it reaches its conclusion. When Pope goes to Florida to gather Redly, Ironhead, Benny, and Catfish, the tension of what’s to come is palpable. Upon their arrival in Colombia, the movie picks up significantly. As the narrative progresses and even after the heist is successfully executed, the excitement never subsides. Just like a horror film, Triple Frontier includes periods of calm and quiet, but an unforeseen incident or casualty always seems to surface unexpectedly. The pace of the movie is well-maintained, as there’s always something intriguing to anticipate from Pope and his accomplices.

In the gripping film Triple Frontier, the action sequences and intense scenes are skillfully executed in a believable way, steering clear of excessive explosions, flamboyant stunts, or sensationalized plotlines. Instead, Chandor’s movie delves into the intricacies of a daring heist and its aftermath, focusing on the authentic repercussions of undertaking such an endeavor, rather than relying on gimmicks. Moreover, the action in Triple Frontier is fueled by the environment where the story unfolds. The characters must navigate through the dense jungle and traverse the towering Andes Mountains to complete their mission. Along their journey to claim their share of the loot, these men (and Yovanna when necessary) encounter conflict not only with the drug cartel but also with innocent villagers, adding another layer of realism to the narrative.

Layered Themes Are Explored in Triple Frontier

The Film Focuses More on Just the Characters’ Dramatic Heist

In the thrilling movie “Triple Frontier,” the daring heist and its consequences serve as the main focus, but the film also delves into themes of greed and survival. As ex-Delta Force operatives, the men in “Triple Frontier” share a strong brotherhood that not only brings them back together after years apart, but also enables them to execute the daring heist with careful coordination. With huge sums of money at stake, “Triple Frontier” examines the concept of greed and its effect on an individual, particularly through Affleck’s character, Redfly. Despite all the men being content with the discovered money, Redfly allows the excitement of the payday to cloud his better judgment, leading to a growing greed that shapes the course of events in the second half of the film.

As the characters make their escape from South America, they must subdue anyone who stands in their path. Effortlessly slipping back into their Delta Agent personas, it becomes evident that although Redfly, Ironhead, Benny, and Catfish now live peaceful lives, this tranquility doesn’t equate to greater happiness or stability for them.

Triple Frontier’s Soundtrack Deserves More Recognition

Triple Frontier’s Cinematography Also Stands Out Among Other Action Films

The role of music production in filmmaking is vital, as it can effectively set the tone, build or alleviate tension, and propel a movie’s plot. For instance, the musical selections in the movie “Triple Frontier” are expertly chosen to align with its storyline. Similarly, the soundtrack offers an impressive collection of songs, blending traditional South American and American rock genres. Notably, bands like Fleetwood Mac, Pantera, and Bob Dylan, as well as Bob Dylan’s “Masters of War,” are included in this compilation.

The cinematography of Triple Frontier deserves recognition. Most of the movie unfolds outdoors, yet it remains brightly lit, even amidst the natural surroundings. Remarkably, the filming locations mimic the South American environment, despite being filmed mostly in Hawaii and partially in Colombia. The camera work is distinctive, engaging, and authentic, mirroring other aspects of the film. The helicopter scene stands out as exceptionally well-done, with the helicopter’s flight and subsequent malfunction feeling genuine rather than overly dramatic or complicated.

In summary, Chandor and Roman Vasyanov, the cinematographer for the Netflix Original film Triple Frontier,, collaborated brilliantly with Chandor and the rest of the production team to produce a multi-layered action movie. With its intriguing characters and thoughtful storyline, Triple Frontier is an overlooked action gem that is definitely worth watching.

2025-06-07 04:09