Alarum Review: Stallone Cameo Can't Save a Cheap Spy Getaway

This Alarum review starts with a simple question: can a stripped-down spy thriller get by on star power and snowy scenery? Michael Polish directs Scott Eastwood and Willa Fitzgerald as a married pair of agents hiding out in the cold, with Sylvester Stallone along for the ride. The answer is only partly, and the film runs a lean 95 minutes.

Alarum Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

Joe and Lara Travers are agents who have gone off the grid. They are staying at a winter resort, hoping for some peace after years of dangerous work. That calm does not last.

Members of the old guard suspect the couple have joined an elite team of rogue spies known as Alarum. An international intelligence network wants a critical asset, and it will stop at nothing to get it. The Alarum plot is built on that tension: a vacation that turns into a siege, with a marriage and a secret at the center.

The tagline, "One hell of a vacation," sums up the tone well. It is a small-scale action thriller that wants to be quick and fun rather than deep. If you like the genre, browse more action movie reviews on our site.

What Works in Alarum

The premise is solid. Spies hiding in plain sight, with a couple who must trust each other under pressure, is a reliable setup. The idea of a vacation spot becoming a battleground gives the film a pleasant hook.

The locations help too. Snowy resort settings look good on screen and give the action some variety. Even viewers who disliked the film have admitted that the ideas, the situations and the scenery had potential.

The short runtime is another point in its favor. At 95 minutes, the film does not overstay its welcome. If a scene falls flat, another one arrives soon after.

Alarum Cast and Performances

The Alarum cast is the film's biggest selling point. Scott Eastwood plays Joe Travers, and Willa Fitzgerald plays his wife, Lara. Together they carry most of the story and give the couple a workable, lived-in dynamic.

Sylvester Stallone appears as Chester, and his name will be the main draw for many viewers. Mike Colter plays Orlin, D.W. Moffett is Ronald Burbridge, and Isis Valverde plays Bridgette Rousseau. These are experienced actors, and they bring more presence than the material deserves.

Eastwood and Fitzgerald

The leads do what they can with the script. Their chemistry is the most believable part of the story. When the dialogue gets clumsy, they keep the scenes moving.

Where Alarum Stumbles

The script is the main problem. Audience feedback points to plot errors, inconsistencies and a screenplay that never lives up to its premise. Writer Alexander Vesha gives the actors a good setup but not enough strong material.

The effects also look cheap. Action scenes that should feel explosive come across as modest, and the film sometimes resembles a low-budget project rather than a polished spy thriller. One viewer compared it to a student film without the energy or creativity.

There is also a sense of wasted opportunity. With this cast and these locations, the film could have been sharper and more surprising. Instead it settles for the familiar, and that holds back the overall score. Fans of the crime movie reviews we cover may find the plotting too thin.

Is Alarum Worth Watching?

Is Alarum worth watching? Only if your expectations are low and you enjoy B-level spy action. It is a forgettable but mostly harmless way to spend an evening, and its audience score of 5.6/10 reflects that.

The cast and the setting offer enough to keep casual viewers entertained. But the weak script, the errors and the cheap look make it hard to recommend as a must-see. If you want a spy film with real tension and polish, you may do better elsewhere, such as our review of Havoc.

The Alarum release date was January 16, 2025, and the film is rated R. You can read more about it on IMDb before deciding.

Who Will Enjoy Alarum

• Fans of Scott Eastwood who want a quick action fix.

• Viewers curious to see Sylvester Stallone in a supporting role.

• Casual spy-thriller fans who do not mind rough edges and a modest budget.