Hardcore Henry Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A mute cyborg does a lot of parkour and brutally murders many people in Moscow because his wife was kidnapped by a telekinetic albino, all from the perspective of a GoPro strapped to his head.

🍿 Hardcore Henry: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Awakening and Escape

Henry wakes up in a laboratory, his memory gone and cybernetic limbs replacing lost ones. Estelle, who claims to be his wife, informs him of his condition. Before his voice box can be installed, a telekinetic warlord named Akan attacks, seeking Estelle’s research to build cyborg soldiers. In the ensuing chaos, Henry and Estelle escape, landing in Moscow.

Moscow Mayhem

Estelle is quickly captured by Akan’s forces, leaving Henry to navigate the dangerous streets of Moscow. He encounters Jimmy, a mysterious man who assists him in his quest to rescue Estelle. Jimmy guides Henry, providing him with upgrades and instructions, but his methods are often unconventional and lead to intense firefights and chases. Each Jimmy is seemingly killed, only for another version to appear, adding to the mystery.

Unraveling the Truth

As Henry battles Akan’s forces, he learns more about his past and the nature of the cyborg project. He discovers that Akan intends to create an army of super-soldiers using Estelle’s research. The different versions of Jimmy reveal a complicated backstory involving Akan and the cyborg program. Henry continues his relentless pursuit, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Henry (Sergey Valyaev, Andrei Dementiev et al.): A resurrected cyborg with amnesia, Henry must fight to save his wife and uncover the truth about his past while experiencing the world in a first-person perspective.
• Jimmy (Sharlto Copley): A mysterious and multifaceted character who aids Henry, appearing in various clones with different skills and personalities to guide him on his mission.
• Akan (Danila Kozlovsky): The psychokinetic warlord and main antagonist who kidnaps Estelle and seeks to create an army of cyborg soldiers.
• Estelle (Haley Bennett): Henry’s wife and a scientist who resurrects him, but whose true motives and allegiance become increasingly ambiguous throughout the film.
• Henry’s Father (Tim Roth): Seen in flashbacks, he is a key figure in Henry’s past who influences his actions and provides motivation.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Jimmy: “Akan’s a cunt!” – Jimmy shouts this loudly in the open courtyard of Akan’s fortress before checking if the coast is clear.
• Henry’s Father: “You…little…pussy…” – He says this to young Henry in a flashback, after a bully smashes his toy, motivating Henry to fight back.
• Jimmy: “Hello, Henry. Well, if you’re hearing this, there’s one more thing I need you to do.” – This is a message left by Jimmy on an answering machine towards the end of the end credits.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $9,252,038
• Worldwide Gross: $16,810,562

💥 Hardcore Henry Reviews

Personal Review

Wow, Hardcore Henry was a wild ride! I’ve never seen anything quite like it. The first-person perspective took some getting used to, but once I did, it was incredibly immersive. I felt like I was right there with Henry, dodging bullets and battling bad guys. Sharlto Copley was amazing as Jimmy, and the action sequences were insane. I found myself laughing and cringing at the over-the-top violence. The soundtrack also really amped up the energy. This movie isn’t for everyone, but if you’re looking for something different and intense, definitely give it a try!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of first-person shooter video games”
  • “Viewers who enjoy intense, action-packed movies with heavy gore”
  • “Those interested in innovative filmmaking techniques and unique cinematic experiences”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Extreme violence and gore”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Brief nudity”
  • “Intense shaky camera work that may cause motion sickness”

Professional Reviews

• JoBlo.com: “A visceral, adrenaline-fueled experience that pushes the boundaries of action cinema. The first-person perspective is initially jarring but ultimately immersive, making you feel every punch, kick, and gunshot. The storyline is simple but serves as a decent enough excuse for the mayhem.
• Slash Film: “A thrilling and unique cinematic experiment. The intense action and innovative camerawork are undeniably impressive, but the thin plot and lack of character development may leave some viewers wanting more. However, if you’re looking for a pure adrenaline rush, Hardcore Henry delivers.
• IMDB User Reviews: “The movie either gets an immediate ‘wow’ or ‘this is horrible’. Those looking for action or a game like experience will find it fascinating, viewers who want character development, drama and story may not find it their cup of tea. The reviews and ratings of 1’s and 10’s show it all.

Audience Reactions

The unique first-person perspective made me feel like I was playing a video game!: Viewers loved the innovative camerawork and high-octane action sequences.

Sharlto Copley’s performance as Jimmy was hilarious and unpredictable.: Many praised Copley’s performance and considered him to be a major highlight.

The movie felt like a non-stop adrenaline rush that barely let up: The movie’s high energy kept viewers thoroughly entertained

Overall Consensus: Hardcore Henry is a divisive but undeniably unique action film that offers a visceral and intense cinematic experience. While the thin plot and shaky camera may deter some, fans of first-person shooters and over-the-top violence will find it an exhilarating ride.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The entire movie is filmed from a first-person perspective, using GoPro cameras attached to the stuntmen playing Henry, creating a unique immersive experience for the viewer.”
• “Ten different stuntmen and cameramen portrayed Henry, including director Ilya Naishuller, due to the physical demands of the role and the camera rig used.”
• “The camera rig used in production eventually caused severe neck pain to the original performer Sergey Valyaev, and another stuntman also lost a tooth during filming.”

🖥️ How to Watch Hardcore Henry?

Hardcore Henry is currently available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check local listings for potential streaming availability or television airings.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Hardcore Henry, you might like these similar films:

• Doom (2005): Features a first-person shooter sequence that is a direct predecessor to the immersive POV action of Hardcore Henry.
• Crank (2006): Shares the same high-octane, over-the-top action and darkly comedic tone, focusing on adrenaline-fueled mayhem.
• Gamer (2009): Explores the concept of controlling a human character in a violent, real-world video game setting, similar to the POV aspect of Hardcore Henry.
• Upgrade (2018): Features a protagonist enhanced with cybernetics seeking revenge, with intense and creatively violent action sequences.

🛒 Hardcore Henry Related Products

• GoPro HERO12 Black – Waterproof Action Camera with 5.3K60 Ultra HD Video, HyperSmooth 6.0 Video Stabilization, Photos 27MP, Live Streaming, Webcam, 177° Wide Angle: The GoPro HERO12 Black captures the chaotic action with HyperSmooth 6.0 stabilization, ensuring smooth and immersive footage. Its rugged design makes it perfect for capturing extreme stunts and POV shots, just like in the movie.
• Hardcore Henry Movie Poster: High-quality print featuring the film’s striking poster art. A must-have for fans of the film and collectors of unique movie memorabilia.
• Hot Toys Sharlto Copley as Jimmy Collectible Figure: Limited edition Hot Toys figure of Sharlto Copley as Jimmy, featuring multiple accessories and detailed likeness. A premium collectible for serious fans of the movie.
• Cyberpunk 2077: Immerse yourself in a vast open world and play this action and adventure RPG to get a dose of high adrenaline and first person action.

🎧 Soundtrack

Hardcore Henry features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Let Me Down Easy” – performed by The Stranglers
• “Don’t Stop Me Now” – performed by Queen

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Great jacket! Where can I get one?

Check out this hilarious meme clip from Hardcore Henry that’s been making the rounds online. It’s a great example of the movie’s unique and memorable style.

Hardcore Henry – Sudno

This fan-made music video set to clips from Hardcore Henry is a must-watch for fans of the movie’s unique style and action sequences. The music and editing are top-notch, and it really captures the spirit of the film.

Why Hardcore Henry Is God Tier Filmmaking and VFX

Dive into the mind-blowing filmmaking and VFX that went into creating Hardcore Henry. This video breaks down the movie’s unique techniques and explains how they achieved such an immersive and visually stunning experience.

Hardcore Henry Bike Scene (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Intro Style)

Get ready for a wild ride as this video reimagines a classic Hardcore Henry scene with the epic intro style of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. It’s a fun and creative take on the movie that showcases the passion of its fans.

✨ Rate