🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Steven Soderbergh
- Genre: Action, Thriller, Crime
- Release year: 2011
- Runtime (length): 1h 33min
- IMDb rating: 5.8/10 (92K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 80%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Girlboss gets mad when her ex sets her up, so she beats up a bunch of dudes across Europe and then…goes to the beach?.
🍿 Haywire: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Diner Confrontation
The film opens with Mallory Kane, a skilled black ops operative, facing off against Aaron in a diner. Their intense fight is interrupted by Scott, a civilian, who inadvertently helps Mallory escape. This sets in motion a chain of events revealed through flashbacks as Mallory recounts her recent missions and betrayals to Scott while on the run.

Barcelona and Dublin Missions
Mallory’s flashbacks detail her work for Kenneth, a handler who assigns her dangerous jobs. In Barcelona, she rescues a target, Jiang, only to find herself implicated in his death during a subsequent mission in Dublin. This sets her on a path to uncover the conspiracy against her, revealing layers of deceit and powerful enemies involved.

Unraveling the Conspiracy
As Mallory investigates, she discovers that she was set up by those she trusted, including Kenneth and possibly others involved in the operation. She connects with Coblenz, a government agent, who may offer assistance but also has his own agenda. The stakes are high, and Mallory faces a dangerous path to clear her name and exact revenge.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Mallory Kane (Gina Carano): A skilled black ops operative who is betrayed and seeks revenge against those who set her up.
- Kenneth (Ewan McGregor): The director of the firm Mallory works for and the primary antagonist who orchestrates her betrayal.
- Aaron (Channing Tatum): A fellow operative and former partner of Mallory’s who initially confronts her, but later realizes she was framed.
- Alex Coblenz (Michael Douglas): A government agent who hires Kenneth’s firm and seems to be manipulating events behind the scenes.
- Paul (Michael Fassbender): A British MI6 agent who is initially an ally to Mallory but later becomes an enemy.
- Rodrigo (Antonio Banderas): Coblenz’s Spanish contact involved in the conspiracy against Mallory, ultimately becoming a target.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Mallory Kane: “I’m not working for you anymore.” – Mallory declares her independence after realizing she’s been double-crossed by Kenneth.
- Kenneth: “It’s just business.” – Kenneth attempts to justify his betrayal of Mallory as a necessary evil.
- Coblenz: “Sometimes you have to get your hands dirty.” – Coblenz explains the morally ambiguous nature of their line of work.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $23,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $18,942,396
- Worldwide Gross: $34,513,760
💥 Haywire Reviews
Personal Review
I was blown away by Haywire! I’m a huge fan of action movies, but this one felt different. Gina Carano is a total badass, and her fight scenes are so realistic. The plot kept me guessing, and the performances from McGregor, Fassbender, Douglas, and Banderas were amazing. I found myself rooting for Mallory to get her revenge. When she finally confronts Rodrigo, it was so satisfying, even if the ending was a bit open-ended. Definitely one of my favorite action movies!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of action thrillers with strong female leads”
- “Viewers interested in realistic fight choreography”
- “People who appreciate Steven Soderbergh’s directing style”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence”
- “Strong language”
- “Brief nudity”
Professional Reviews
- Rotten Tomatoes: “Haywire is a fast and spare thriller, with cleanly staged set pieces that immerse you in the action. Soderbergh’s direction keeps you hooked from start to finish. Gina Carano is a force to be reckoned with.
- The New York Times: “Haywire is a lean, mean action machine, elevated by Gina Carano’s striking physicality. The action feels raw and believable, a refreshing change from the typical CGI-laden spectacle. Soderbergh crafts a stylish thriller with a compelling lead.
- Rolling Stone: “Soderbergh delivers a knockout punch with Haywire. Carano is a revelation, a natural action star who can believably kick ass. The supporting cast shines, and the film’s gritty realism makes for a thrilling ride.
Audience Reactions
Gina Carano’s raw and realistic fight choreography was incredibly impressive.: Viewers loved the practical effects and believable action sequences.
The star-studded cast elevated the movie despite some limited screen time.: Many viewers enjoyed seeing well-known actors in supporting roles.
Overall Consensus: Haywire is a stylish and gritty action thriller featuring impressive fight choreography and a strong lead performance by Gina Carano, though some find the plot convoluted and pacing uneven.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Gina Carano underwent a six-week intensive tactical training course with Aaron Cohen, an ex-Israeli special ops fighter.”
- “Steven Soderbergh acted as his own cinematographer under the pseudonym Peter Andrews, and also edited the film.”
- “The fight choreography was designed to be realistic, reflecting Gina Carano’s MMA background, with emphasis on grappling and close-quarters combat.”
🖥️ How to Watch Haywire?
Haywire is available for streaming rental or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check your preferred digital retailer for current pricing and availability. Physical copies (Blu-ray, DVD) can also be found at major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. Some cable providers may offer it on demand.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Haywire, you might like these similar films:
- Salt (2010): Features a female CIA agent on the run after being accused of being a Russian spy.
- The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996): A woman with amnesia discovers she has a past as a highly trained assassin.
- Hanna (2011): A teenage girl raised in the wilderness by her father is trained to be an assassin.
- Atomic Blonde (2017): A skilled MI6 agent is sent to Berlin during the Cold War to investigate the murder of a fellow agent.
- La Femme Nikita (1990): A convicted punk is transformed into a secret agent and assassin.
🛒 Haywire Related Products
- Haywire [Blu-ray]: Own the high-definition Blu-ray version of Haywire and experience Gina Carano’s intense action sequences in crystal clear quality with enhanced audio.
- Gina Carano Autographed 8×10 Photo: A rare collectible featuring an autographed photo of Gina Carano. Limited availability, making it a valuable item for fans and collectors.
- MMA Training Gloves: High-quality MMA training gloves inspired by Gina Carano’s fighting style. Durable and comfortable for serious training.
- Espionage Game Collection: A collection of espionage themed board games, including titles like ‘Codenames’ and ‘Deception: Murder in Hong Kong,’ that will bring you a thrilling experience.
🎧 Soundtrack
Haywire features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Dirty Money” – performed by David Holmes
- “Barcelona” – performed by David Holmes
- “The Set Up” – performed by David Holmes
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Mallory is betrayed by her handler, Kenneth, who sets her up to take the fall for the murder of Jiang and other crimes. Rodrigo is also complicit in the conspiracy.
Haywire features diverse filming locations including Ireland (Dublin, County Wicklow), Spain (Barcelona, Majorca), the United States (New Mexico, New York).
Haywire is a fictional story, though it draws on realistic elements of espionage and black ops. It is not based on a specific real-life event.
🔥 Bonus Content
Haywire movie review
Curious to know what a popular movie reviewer thinks of Haywire? Check out this review by Jeremy Jahns. He gives a balanced perspective on the film, discussing both its strengths and weaknesses.
✨ Rate
There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.