TIFF Review: David Mackenzie’s Fuze is an Unyielding, Flawless Thriller

      David Mackenzie quickly clears the opening credits as we settle in to watch his latest film, Fuze. The majority of the ensuing 98 minutes resembles a feature-length cold open rushing at lightning speed toward its climax. When a WWII ordinance is discovered during construction in a residential area of England, chaos ensues, and it takes only a short time before there's even a momentary pause in the action.

      As the bomb technician on duty, Major Will Tranter (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) becomes the central character. His responsibility is to lead the team tasked with either defusing the missile or establishing a perimeter for a controlled explosion. Consequently, the local police, headed by Chief Superintendent Zuzana (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), must coordinate a mass evacuation of the vicinity. No one can stay behind, given the uncertainty surrounding the preservation of the weapon, which could detonate at any moment.

      Suspicion arises when a dark room full of men shifts without standing at the knock on their door—as if they knew something was coming and had been waiting for the opportunity. Once the electricity is cut off in the area and alarms start ringing, G (Theo James), X (Sam Worthington), and their crew head to the basement to drill through the wall and access the bank vault next door.

      Screenwriter Ben Hopkins heightens the suspense surrounding the bomb, introducing new developments with each attempt to assess the situation. He amplifies the tension with the ongoing bank robbery while allowing secondary characters to fulfill their roles by questioning the situation and uncovering anomalies. Zuzana’s second-in-command, Clareese (Honor Swinton Byrne), detects an unusual heat signature, while Tranter’s detonation technician notices an inconsistency regarding the bomb’s potential origins. Are these concerns worth jeopardizing their current mission?

      Will the ordinance detonate? Will G and X succeed in their heist? Will Rahim (Elham Ehsas) and his parents, who’ve been evacuated from the building being used for the robbery, catch their flight? The score essentially creates a ticking clock for the film as we navigate between these challenges, bracing for the unavoidable chain reaction. Eventually, we see the aftermath: escaping the area, surviving the explosion, and unraveling exactly what occurred.

      This is why it feels like a drawn-out cold open—the exhilarating pace remains unrelenting. Even when there’s finally a break in the action to transition from the event to its fallout, the intensity escalates further with a manhunt, betrayals, and logistical uncertainties. An epilogue that takes us into the past reveals just how tightly constructed and meticulously crafted this screenplay is. Every action occurs for a reason. There’s no superfluity.

      This ensures that neither the audience nor the characters can catch their breath. Even if a plot hole exists, we are too far distanced from it for it to have real significance (if it doesn’t serve a purpose of its own). A different crossroads emerges, complete with its own unique circumstances that challenge our previously established assumptions. Trust is absent. Survival is not guaranteed. We are unclear about whom to support—except for the filmmakers, hoping they deliver a satisfying conclusion.

      They not only succeed but enhance our enjoyment further. Fuze isn’t concerned with good versus evil. Its sole focus is on entertainment. What prompts us to lean forward in our seats? What leads us to question what we've witnessed? What clever or violent twist will provoke a laugh? Each action keeps us alert for surprises, rewards, or confusion. It’s a highly addictive film that should satisfy anyone's craving for excitement.

      Fuze made its debut at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival.