Review published 28th August 2026
Watch the official trailer.
The Story
A young girl is having the time of her life with friends on the busy city streets. However, after parting ways, she is approached by strangers and kidnapped. At the same time, a new crime lord is aggressively expanding his influence and power, throwing the criminal underworld into chaos. One of the powerful figures affected by this hostile takeover is Benjamin (Thomas Newman), who finds himself in desperate need of reinforcements. His solution is to hire two hitmen with a complicated history.
Thanks to narration, viewers are introduced to Nico Hawkman, a smooth-talking, stylish ladies’ man who also happens to be a highly skilled assassin. Then there is Rick “Breaker” Hart, a former fixer who has happily settled into retirement. The pair once worked perfectly together, but their partnership came crashing down when Nico slept with Rick’s girlfriend. The betrayal drove Rick away from a life of contract killing, while Nico continued accepting jobs. Years have passed since they last spoke, but the offer of a dangerous assignment worth five million dollars proves difficult to ignore. Although Rick initially has no interest in returning to his old life, the combination of good money and unfinished business with Nico eventually lures him back into the game.
A Crime Comedy First, Action Film Second
Ruthless Bastards blends several genres, including crime, thriller, action, and comedy. Going into the film, I was expecting a much heavier focus on action. While action sequences are certainly present, this feels far more like a crime comedy built around a buddy-action formula than a straight action film. Directed by Bruce Fontaine, whose only previous feature directing credit is Beyond Redemption (2016), and written by Varinder Jhattu, Ruthless Bastards keeps things surprisingly simple. The plot exists largely as a framework to bring its two lead characters together and allow them to bounce off one another throughout the runtime. Thankfully, that approach works far better than it probably should.
Sean Patrick Flanery And Casper Van Dien Steal The Show
Without question, the film’s biggest strength is the chemistry between Sean Patrick Flanery and Casper Van Dien. The pair genuinely feel like old friends with years of history behind them. Their personalities differ enough to create a fun dynamic whenever they share the screen, and more importantly, both actors look like they are having an absolute blast throughout the film. Many of the movie’s most enjoyable moments involve conversations that have very little to do with the mission at hand. Whether discussing films, making fun of each other’s lifestyle choices, arguing over technology, or simply throwing playful jabs back and forth, the dialogue often feels natural and entertaining. At times, I genuinely found myself wondering how much of their banter had been improvised because the interactions felt so relaxed and authentic. Regardless of how much was scripted, the chemistry between Flanery and Van Dien becomes the film’s primary source of entertainment.
Mindless Fun With Mixed Results
The comedy is somewhat hit-and-miss. Some jokes land effectively, while others feel a little cheesy. Even when the humour misses, however, the playful energy between the two leads usually keeps the scenes enjoyable. The action follows a similar pattern. There are several entertaining action sequences throughout the film, particularly during the opening and closing sections. Interestingly, some of the villains are responsible for a number of the stronger action moments. Unfortunately, the climactic fight sequence ends up being one of the weakest action scenes in the movie. Poor camera work makes it unnecessarily difficult to follow, and the confrontation never quite delivers on the build-up that comes before it. Without entering spoiler territory, the final showdown also feels surprisingly underwhelming given the journey leading up to it.
Strong Villains, Limited Screen Time
The film’s primary villains, Sunny (Parmish Verma) and Ishanna (Hasleen Kaur), prove to be effective antagonists. Both characters come across as dangerous individuals who should not be underestimated, and their scenes help create genuine stakes throughout the story. However, I couldn’t help wishing they had been given more screen time. Rather than spending significant time interacting with Nico and Rick, the villains are often occupied dealing with other criminal matters and planning their next moves. While entertaining whenever they appear, the lack of development prevents them from reaching their full potential.
Narration That Doesn’t Quite Work
My biggest criticism involves the film’s narration. While it helps establish the history between Nico and Rick, it often feels unnatural and somewhat forced. The delivery lacks the confidence and flow present elsewhere in the film, almost as if it were added late in production to provide additional exposition. Rather than enhancing the story, the narration occasionally feels like the filmmakers didn’t fully trust audiences to piece together the characters’ backstory on their own.
Final Thoughts
Ruthless Bastards doesn’t reinvent the buddy-action formula, but it understands exactly what it wants to be and delivers a surprisingly enjoyable ride because of it. The plot is relatively basic, and the action can be inconsistent, but none of that matters nearly as much as the chemistry between Sean Patrick Flanery and Casper Van Dien. Their banter, playful rivalry, and obvious enjoyment of working together become the true heart of the film. While the comedy is uneven and the narration feels unnecessary, there is still plenty of entertainment to be found in watching two veteran actors bounce off each other while navigating a simple crime story. If you’re hoping for a non-stop action spectacle, you may walk away disappointed. However, viewers looking for a light-hearted crime comedy packed with amusing dialogue, buddy-movie chemistry, and a healthy dose of mindless fun should find enough here to enjoy. Ultimately, Ruthless Bastards succeeds not because of its story or action, but because Sean Patrick Flanery and Casper Van Dien are clearly having a great time, and that sense of fun proves infectious throughout.
Ruthless Bastards (2025) will be Available on DVD & Digital from September 9th in Australia & New Zealand thanks to Eagle Entertainment!
About the Reviewer
Peter Walkden
Film writer and curator with a deep passion for cinema, genre filmmaking, and physical media. Exploring new releases, cult favourites, and overlooked films, with a strong focus on atmosphere, storytelling, and the theatrical experience.
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