🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Isaac Florentine
- Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller
- Release year: 2020
- Runtime (length): 1h 25min
- IMDb rating: 5.3/10 (3.3K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: N/A
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
To save his son, a former super-soldier must complete a violent scavenger hunt broadcast live for the villain who apparently has a really boring Tuesday.
🍿 Seized: Detailed Plot Synopsis
A Quiet Life Interrupted
Nero, a former special forces operative, has relocated to a serene beach town in Baja California with his teenage son, Taylor, following the death of his wife. He aims to leave his violent past behind and focus on raising his son. Their peaceful existence is shattered when Nero is incapacitated by a dart.

Forced into a Deadly Mission
Upon waking, Nero discovers his son has been kidnapped. He receives a call from a mysterious figure, Mzamo, who holds Taylor captive. Mzamo forces Nero to eliminate three rival crime syndicates, monitoring his progress via a body camera attached to a provided bulletproof vest.

Eliminating the Competition
Equipped with weapons, Nero embarks on his grim mission. He targets and successfully takes down members of the Roja and Garza Cartels in a restaurant raid. His next target is Eliazar Machado, a notorious figure involved in prostitution and racketeering, whom Nero confronts and kills in a den.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Nero (Scott Adkins): A former special forces agent forced back into his violent past to rescue his kidnapped son.
- Mzamo (Mario Van Peebles): The charismatic cartel leader who kidnaps Nero’s son and blackmails him into killing rivals.
- Taylor (Matthew Garbacz): Nero’s teenage son whose kidnapping serves as the catalyst for his father’s return to action.
- Donovan (Steven Elder): A corrupt former intelligence contact of Nero involved in the conspiracy that led to his wife’s death and his son’s kidnapping.
- Alanza (Karlee Leilani Perez): Mzamo’s lover and accomplice who assists him in overseeing Nero’s forced assignments.
- Omar Chavez (Luis Gatica): A powerful arms dealer and cartel boss whom Nero is forced to eliminate as part of Mzamo’s plan.
- Eliazar Machado (Mauricio Mendoza): A brutal cartel boss involved in various criminal activities whom Nero must kill on Mzamo’s orders.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Mzamo: “Go Call Of Duty On Those Motherfuckers.” – Mzamo gives Nero his first target, instructing him to use lethal force to eliminate a rival cartel.
- Nero: “You hurt my son… I will come for you.” – Nero warns Mzamo over the phone about the consequences he will face if Taylor is harmed.
- Mzamo: “Twelve hours, four targets. You understand?” – Mzamo lays out the brutal terms of the deal, giving Nero a deadline and the number of cartel leaders he must eliminate.
- Nero: “My name isn’t Nero… It’s Richard.” – Nero tells his son his real name and hints at the dark past he’s been trying to leave behind.
- Nero: “If I ever see your face again, I’ll kill you.” – Nero gives Mzamo a final, chilling warning after rescuing his son, despite Mzamo’s attempt at a truce.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $3,000,000
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: $46,191
💥 Seized Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I went into ‘Seized’ knowing what I was getting: Scott Adkins kicking and punching bad guys, because that’s what he does best, and honestly, that’s all I needed! The plot is totally ‘Taken’ meets ‘John Wick’ light, where a dad has to go on a killing spree to get his kid back. It’s not deep, but it sets up the action nicely. I particularly liked the scenes where Adkins just plows through rooms of nameless goons; that’s the good stuff. Mario Van Peebles as the villain was way more entertaining than I expected! He had this cool, almost campy vibe that made watching him just as fun as the fight scenes. While the ending felt a little rushed, the core action delivered, and I was definitely entertained for the runtime.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of Scott Adkins and his signature martial arts action”
- “Viewers who enjoy straightforward, low-budget action thrillers”
- “Audiences who liked movies with a ‘single hero against many foes’ theme”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Frequent strong violence and intense action sequences”
- “Gun violence and hand-to-hand combat”
- “Thematic elements of kidnapping and crime syndicates”
Professional Reviews
- Action Flick Weekly: “”Seized” delivers exactly what you’d expect from an Adkins/Florentine team-up: hard-hitting action sequences wrapped in a familiar plot. While the story about a former agent rescuing his son feels standard, Scott Adkins brings his undeniable physical prowess. Mario Van Peebles steals scenes as the charismatic villain. It’s a lean, mean action vehicle that doesn’t reinvent the wheel but provides solid thrills for fans of the genre.
- Indie Film Observer: “Isaac Florentine and Scott Adkins reunite for ‘Seized,’ a B-movie actioner that leans heavily on its star’s fighting skills. The narrative, involving a father forced to take down cartels to save his son, is boilerplate, feeling at times like a video game progression. However, Adkins is consistently impressive in combat, and Mario Van Peebles is a highlight, chewing scenery with relish. It’s a watchable, albeit predictable, entry for action aficionados.
Audience Reactions
Scott Adkins doing what he does best: delivering impressive fight choreography.: Fans generally loved the action scenes and Scott Adkins’ performance, appreciating Mario Van Peebles’ charismatic turn as the villain.
Overall Consensus: A straightforward, action-focused B-movie elevated by solid fight sequences from Scott Adkins and a standout performance by Mario Van Peebles, best enjoyed by fans of direct-to-video action.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Seized marks the eighth feature film collaboration between star Scott Adkins and director Isaac Florentine, a pairing celebrated by fans of direct-to-video action cinema.”
- “The movie was filmed on location in Baja California, Mexico, utilizing the distinct coastal and urban landscapes.”
- “Despite the focus on Scott Adkins’ character using firearms and tactical combat, the film still features some of Adkins’ signature martial arts moves, including a scene where he fights multiple opponents with his hands tied.”
- “The antagonist Mzamo, played by Mario Van Peebles, was noted by reviewers for bringing a unique, charismatic energy to the role, often stealing scenes.”
🖥️ How to Watch Seized?
Seized (2020) is typically available for rent or purchase on major digital platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Specific streaming service availability can change, so checking these platforms for current options is recommended.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Seized, you might like these similar films:
- Taken (2008): Shares the core premise of a former special operative using his deadly skills to rescue his kidnapped child from dangerous criminals.
- John Wick (2014): Features a highly skilled, seemingly retired individual forced back into a violent underworld, known for its slick action choreography and focus on a driven protagonist.
- Commando (1985): An iconic 80s action film where a retired special forces colonel goes on a one-man rampage against a private army to save his kidnapped daughter.
- Extraction (2020): A modern, high-octane action thriller featuring a skilled mercenary undertaking a perilous rescue mission against overwhelming odds.
- Undisputed III: Redemption (2010): Another fan-favorite collaboration between Scott Adkins and Isaac Florentine, showcasing Adkins’ martial arts prowess in a tournament setting, appealing directly to fans of their work.
🛒 Seized Related Products
- Scott Adkins Action Movie Collection (Digital): Bundle featuring several high-octane films starring Scott Adkins, showcasing his martial arts and action prowess.
- Tactical Fitness Training Program: Workout plan inspired by the rigorous physical demands of on-screen action heroes, focusing on strength, agility, and combat readiness.
- Action Movie Poster – Inspired Design: High-quality print poster featuring stylized artwork inspired by classic action movie aesthetics and themes similar to ‘Seized’.
- Third-Person Shooter Video Game (Console/PC): A high-octane third-person shooter game where you play as a lone operative taking down enemy organizations, featuring tactical combat and intense firefights.
🎧 Soundtrack
Seized features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “The Mission Begins” – performed by Unknown
- “Cartel Confrontation” – performed by Unknown
- “Race Against Time” – performed by Unknown
- “Nero’s Resolve” – performed by Unknown
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Yes, Seized shares a similar premise with movies like Taken, where a skilled former operative must use his deadly skills to rescue a kidnapped family member.
The main cast includes Scott Adkins as Nero, Mario Van Peebles as Mzamo, and Matthew Garbacz as Taylor. Steven Elder also appears as Donovan.
Seized was filmed in Baja California, Mexico.
Scott Adkins is known for performing his own stunts and fight choreography in his action films, and he reportedly performs most of the rigorous action sequences in Seized.
The runtime of the movie Seized is approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes (85 minutes).
🔥 Bonus Content
Carter seized the opportunity 😂 #rushhour3 #movie #rushhour
Remember one of those hilarious Carter moments from Rush Hour 3? This short clip perfectly captures him seizing a classic opportunity – you just have to see it!
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