Extraction (2020) is a high-octane action thriller directed by Sam Hargrave, a former stunt coordinator making his directorial debut. With a screenplay by Joe Russo (of Avengers: Endgame fame) and starring Chris Hemsworth, the film offers a gritty, relentless look into the underworld of international crime and mercenary warfare. It’s based on the graphic novel Ciudad by Ande Parks, Joe Russo, Anthony Russo, Fernando León González, and Eric Skillman.
Detailed Summary
Opening: A Job No One Wants
The film begins in Dhaka, Bangladesh, with Tyler Rake (Chris Hemsworth), a skilled but emotionally tormented Australian black-market mercenary. He’s hired to rescue Ovi Mahajan Jr., the teenage son of an imprisoned Indian drug lord who has been kidnapped by a rival Bangladeshi crime boss, Amir Asif.
The Extraction
Rake successfully locates and extracts Ovi from a fortified hideout in Dhaka. However, the operation quickly goes south when it’s revealed that the boy’s father’s associates, led by Saju (played by Randeep Hooda), double-cross Rake in order to avoid paying the ransom by killing him and taking the boy back themselves. At the same time, the city is locked down by Amir Asif, who controls local police and military forces.
A Reluctant Protector
Instead of leaving Ovi behind, Rake decides to go rogue and protect him—showing the first signs that this mission means more to him than money. His decision puts him on a warpath through the city, facing corrupt soldiers, elite snipers, and child soldiers as he tries to reach the extraction point.
Tyler’s Past and Emotional Anchors
As the chaos unfolds, we learn more about Rake’s personal trauma: his son died of lymphoma, and Rake never had the courage to face the pain. His dangerous lifestyle is partly a death wish, and Ovi becomes a surrogate figure, offering Rake a chance at redemption.
The Bridge Showdown
In the film’s climactic sequence, Tyler and Ovi attempt to reach a helicopter extraction zone on a bridge. Saju, now working together with Rake, sacrifices himself to clear the way. Rake is gravely wounded during a sniper attack and eventually shot in the neck by a young boy named Farhad, whom Asif had recruited earlier. Bleeding out, Tyler gives Ovi a final look before falling off the bridge into the river below.
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Movie Ending
The final moments of Extraction are intentionally ambiguous. After Tyler is shot and falls off the bridge, his fate is left uncertain. Ovi, rescued and now living a safer life back in India, dives into a swimming pool. As he surfaces, he sees a blurred figure watching him from the edge—someone who resembles Tyler Rake. The camera never clearly confirms whether it’s really Tyler or just a symbolic vision, leaving the ending open to interpretation. Did Tyler survive? Or is this Ovi’s way of remembering the man who saved his life?
This ambiguity set up discussions for a potential sequel—which was later confirmed (Extraction 2 was released in 2023).
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, Extraction does not have a traditional post-credits scene. However, there is a final scene just before the credits roll—the one with the blurred figure watching Ovi in the pool. That scene serves the same purpose as a post-credits tease, offering a hint at Tyler Rake’s possible survival.
Type of Movie
Extraction is a military-style action thriller with intense fight choreography, urban warfare, and personal emotional stakes. It combines brutal realism, close-quarter combat, and sniper tactics with the pace of a modern action blockbuster.
Cast
- Chris Hemsworth as Tyler Rake
- Rudhraksh Jaiswal as Ovi Mahajan Jr.
- Randeep Hooda as Saju
- Golshifteh Farahani as Nik Khan
- Pankaj Tripathi as Ovi Mahajan Sr.
- David Harbour as Gaspar
- Priyanshu Painyuli as Amir Asif
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Henry Jackman and Alex Belcher. The music underlines the intensity and tension of the film, often using deep percussion and moody strings to reflect Rake’s inner torment and the urban chaos of Dhaka.
Filming Locations
The movie was primarily shot in Ahmedabad and Mumbai in India, Dhaka in Bangladesh, and Thailand. Though set in Bangladesh, many scenes were actually filmed in Thailand for logistical reasons. The chaotic streets, riverside markets, and rooftops play a crucial role in making the film feel immersive and urgent.
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Awards and Nominations
While Extraction wasn’t heavily awarded by major institutions, it was a major streaming hit for Netflix, becoming the most-watched original film on the platform at the time of its release. It was nominated for several action and stunt coordination awards, including a Taurus World Stunt Award.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Director Sam Hargrave is a former stunt double for Chris Evans in the Captain America films.
- The film features a 12-minute continuous action sequence (stitched together digitally) that was heavily praised for its technical execution.
- Chris Hemsworth did many of his own stunts, including fight choreography and car chase sequences.
- Filming in tight urban spaces posed huge logistical challenges, especially for the high-speed chase scenes.
- The script was initially developed with a South American setting before shifting to South Asia.
Inspirations and References
The movie is based on the graphic novel Ciudad by Ande Parks and the Russo brothers. The tone and style of Extraction are influenced by gritty action films like Man on Fire, John Wick, and The Raid, with a focus on grounded, high-impact violence rather than stylized spectacle.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
The original ending was even more definitive—Tyler dies and stays dead. However, test audiences found it too bleak, prompting the filmmakers to shoot an alternate ending with the ambiguous poolside figure. Deleted scenes include extended background on Saju’s relationship with his son, and a longer fight between Rake and Gaspar, which was trimmed for pacing.
Book Adaptations and Differences
Compared to the Ciudad graphic novel, Extraction changes the setting and some character dynamics. In the original, the story unfolds in South America with a female soldier as the main character. The movie shifts the focus to a male protagonist and sets the action in South Asia. The core theme—a gritty rescue mission—is retained, but the details and tone are significantly adapted for a cinematic audience.
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Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The single-take action sequence covering a car chase, building shootout, and hand-to-hand combat.
- Tyler rescuing Ovi while jumping from rooftop to rooftop in the slums of Dhaka.
- Rake’s final stand on the bridge, defending Ovi from a military onslaught.
- The emotional moment when Tyler confesses his son’s death.
Iconic Quotes
- Tyler Rake: “You drown, not by falling into the river, but by staying submerged in it.”
- Nik Khan: “You can’t save him, Tyler. You’ll die trying.”
- Ovi: “You don’t drown by falling in the river… only if you stay there.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Tyler’s last name “Rake” is a reference to the weapon he metaphorically becomes—sharp, sweeping, and messy.
- The blurred figure at the end could be read as a visual metaphor or a setup for the sequel.
- The long-take sequence mimics the Call of Duty aesthetic, influenced by Hargrave’s video game and stunt background.
- Gaspar’s betrayal was foreshadowed by his initial hesitation and offhand comments about “making money while you can.”
Trivia
- The movie was streamed by 99 million households in its first four weeks.
- Chris Hemsworth trained with actual military consultants for weapon handling and close-quarter combat.
- The car chases were shot with Hargrave himself strapped to the hood of the car holding the camera.
- It marked Netflix’s most ambitious original action film at the time.
Why Watch?
If you’re into intense, non-stop action with real stakes and gritty visuals, Extraction is a must-watch. It combines Hollywood spectacle with emotional undercurrents, and Chris Hemsworth gives a surprisingly vulnerable performance beneath all the gunfire. It’s more than just a shoot-em-up—it’s a redemption arc packed inside a bullet shell.
Director’s Other Works
- Extraction 2 (2023)
- Stunt coordinator for Captain America: Civil War
- Stunt work in Atomic Blonde
- Second unit director for Avengers: Endgame