Zero – Movie Review (2/5)

ZERO is a new Action-Thriller with a plot that works better in theory than in this execution of the story. While I can appreciate and even applaud the concept, something was just missing. Read our full Zero (2024) movie review here!

ZERO is a movie where the clock is constantly ticking. In this action-thriller, several bombs will go off, and many people will be hurt. There’s a bigger plan in the works, but it’s not explained or delivered in as concise a way as I would’ve liked.

Also, while there is a constant countdown on two particular bombs, the final minute is dragged out so much that I just wanted it to be over sooner rather than later. It is the slowest countdown and not what you want to deliver as the climax of your action-thriller.

Continue reading our Zero (2024) movie review below. Find it in UK theaters from July 25, 2025. It’s already out on digital in the U.S. now.

Countdown in Dakar

Two Americans wake up in Dakar with a bomb strapped to their chest and a clock counting down. It begins at 10 hours, but they have a lot to do within this time, so it’s not as long as it may sound.

What happens next is some sort of twisted treasure hunt, where they need to complete several missions if they want to survive.

In order to make it, the two Americans must join forces. They are extremely different and do not know each other, but they must develop an immediate trust.

The voice of Willem Dafoe

American #1 (Hus Miller) and American #2 (Cam McHarg) must follow the orders given to them over the phone. In case they think they can skip a step, they will soon learn that disobeying orders is not an option.

The mysterious voice on the phone is portrayed by Willem Dafoe (Nosferatu), which helps the movie. A lot.

In fact, Willem Dafoe makes the overall movie-watching experience better than the storytelling. I was not a huge fan of this movie overall, even though I wanted to like it.

Watch Zero (2024) in movie theaters

The director of Zero is Jean Luc Herbulot (Saloum), and while there are solid moments of action and surprise, the overall experience was lacking something for me.

Zero premiered at Sitges Film Festival where it won the Orbita Award. I think I expected something different or at least something more. Maybe that says more about my expectations than the movie, but the ending just didn’t have the impact I wanted, or needed.

The movie has also been an official selection at film festivals like Beyond Fest and Glasgow Film Festival. With a runtime of just 80 minutes and a (generally) fast pace, it is entertaining. I can’t argue with that. However, I still feel it could have been much better.

Zero (2024) is out in UK cinemas on July 25, 2025, and on UK digital platforms from August 11, while it’s already out on digital in the U.S.

Details

Director: Jean Luc Herbulot
Writers: Jean Luc Herbulot, Hus Miller
Stars: Hus Miller, Cam McHarg, Gary Dourdan, Moran Rosenblatt, Annabelle Lengronne