Action stars aren’t born. They’re made. You don’t have to look like Arnold Schwarzenegger circa 1984 to look like the toughest person alive. Performers can look like Liam Neeson and Charlize Theron. And with enough hard work, even Bob Odenkirk can transform into someone you wouldn’t mess with. John David Washington did just that in Tenet, where he played one of the most formidable heroes in the world. Now he’s back for another high-octane story, as the star of Netflix’s Beckett. The movie’s first trailer shows why the next great action-star is already here. And why he’s desperate to get out of Greece.
“While vacationing in Greece, American tourist Beckett (John David Washington) becomes the target of a manhunt after a devastating accident. Forced to run for his life and desperate to get across the country to the American embassy to clear his name, tensions escalate as the authorities close in, political unrest mounts, and Beckett falls even deeper into a dangerous web of conspiracy.”
This trailer doesn’t offer much in the way of clues about why Beckett is a targeted man. Whatever happened though seems to be much bigger than just one man. Despite not tipping its hand about what’s really happening (that’s a good thing!), this trailer still provides plenty of reason to watch. It’s full of intrigue, fights, and chase scenes. As well as a beautiful setting. (Though we imagine Greece isn’t as wonderful when you’re being hunted for reasons you don’t understand.)
But the best thing going for the movie is its leading man, one of our favorite actors. Someone who has also worked hard to make himself one of Hollywood’s best action heroes.
Directed by Italy’s Ferdinando Cito Filomarino (Antonia.), with a script from newcomer Kevin A. Rice, the film also stars Boyd Holbrook (Logan), Vicky Krieps (Phantom Thread,) and Alicia Vikander (Ex Machina). Beckett comes to Netflix this summer, August 13.