"Xtreme" (2021): A Spanish Revenge Thriller Fueled by Fury and Style.
Released on Netflix in June 2021, Xtreme (original Spanish title: Xtremo) is a Spanish-language action thriller directed by Daniel Benmayor. It stars Teo García—who also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Iván Ledesma and Genaro Rodríguez—as Maximo, a retired hitman forced back into a violent world of crime and vengeance. The film is an unrelenting tale of revenge that blends stylish fight choreography, emotional motivations, and gritty street-level storytelling, delivering a cinematic experience that is brutal, fast-paced, and unapologetically adrenaline-driven.
Set in Barcelona, the film begins with a violent betrayal that sets the tone for the story. Maximo, once the right-hand man of a powerful crime family, is double-crossed by his own stepbrother, Lucero, played by Óscar Jaenada. Lucero orchestrates the murder of their father and Maximo’s son in a ruthless power grab. Maximo barely survives the ambush and goes into hiding, physically and emotionally scarred. Two years later, he resurfaces with a single goal—revenge. The plot kicks into overdrive when Maximo crosses paths with Leo, a young teenager played by Óscar Casas, who becomes inadvertently entangled in Lucero's underworld dealings. With the help of his sister Maria, Maximo embarks on a blood-soaked journey to dismantle Lucero’s criminal empire and protect the innocent boy caught in the crossfire.
What distinguishes Xtreme is its unapologetic devotion to action. From brutal hand-to-hand combat to intense shootouts, the film showcases a wide range of choreographed violence that will feel familiar to fans of John Wick or The Raid. Director Daniel Benmayor uses tightly framed sequences and slick editing to capture the raw energy of each fight, while the cinematography lends a stylized, almost graphic-novel aesthetic to the film. One standout scene involves a ferocious fight inside a car repair garage, where Maximo uses tools as improvised weapons in a gritty, close-quarters battle. These sequences are not only visually engaging but also serve as a vehicle for Maximo’s internal rage and grief.
While the story of Xtreme is admittedly formulaic—featuring classic revenge tropes, a clear moral divide, and a lone antihero—it remains emotionally grounded through Teo García’s committed performance. Maximo is a man broken by loss, driven not only by a desire to punish but also to protect. The film’s emotional stakes are further elevated by Leo’s presence, whose vulnerability contrasts Maximo’s hardened demeanor. Their relationship, while underdeveloped in dialogue, gives the story a semblance of heart amidst the chaos.
Despite its shortcomings—such as underwritten supporting characters and a predictable plot—Xtreme succeeds as a genre piece. It doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel but embraces what it is: a high-octane, visually dynamic action movie that pays homage to classic revenge thrillers. The film delivers exactly what its title promises—an extreme experience packed with violence, vengeance, and visceral spectacle.
In conclusion, Xtreme is a gritty, Spanish-language action film that delivers on style and intensity. For fans of action cinema looking for a fast-paced, emotionally driven revenge story with hard-hitting fight scenes, Xtreme is a thrilling and worthy watch.
