Cursa (2025) Review: Romanian Street Racing Burns Rubber

This Cursa review starts with a simple question: can a Romanian street-racing film hold its own against Hollywood's loudest franchises? Directed by Anghel Damian and Millo Simulov, Cursa (also released as The Race) bets on custom cars, practical stunts and a clear emotional stake. It is a lean action movie that knows what it wants to be.

Cursa Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

The Cursa plot is easy to follow. Andrei is a gifted mechanic who enters an illegal race across Europe to secure his brother's future. Romanian listings describe the event as the continent's ultimate street race, and the film treats it as a gateway into daring stunts and deadly rivalries.

That is the whole setup, and the film does not overcomplicate it. One Romanian review calls the story simple but says it has a clear stake and works exactly as much as it needs to. I agree with that: the motivation is clear within minutes, so the racing carries the weight.

The film runs a tight 97 minutes. That keeps the pace brisk and leaves little room for filler. The Cursa release date was 24 October 2025.

What Works in Cursa

The car culture is the star. Customised machines, roaring engines and risky stunts give the film its identity as an action movie, and the sound design earns praise from viewers on IMDb. Engines sound heavy and aggressive, which is half the battle in this genre.

Production value is also a pleasant surprise. Audience comments single out the polish, and the film looks more expensive than a modest regional action release might suggest. For a Romanian production aiming at an international crowd, that ambition shows.

The structure helps too:

• A clear goal: win the race, protect the brother.

• Short scenes that move quickly toward the next stunt.

• A runtime that never overstays its welcome.

If you like the genre's straightforward pleasures, browse more action movie reviews on this site.

Cursa Cast and Performances

The Cursa cast is led by Codin Maticiuc as Mario, with Cristina Ștefania Codreanu as Cleo, Denis Hanganu as Andrei, Ștefan Iancu as David and Andi Vasluianu as Raul. Aris Negoita rounds out the credited names.

IMDb users praise the work of the leading man, and that fits the film's needs. The role asks for physical presence and determination more than long speeches. The supporting players add some rivalry and warmth around the races.

I would not call this an acting showcase. It is a genre piece, and the performers mostly serve the momentum.

Where Cursa Stumbles

The weak point is the dialogue. A Romanian review notes that some lines sound stiff and artificial, especially in quieter scenes. When the cars stop, the writing by Anghel Damian can feel thin.

The simple story is both a strength and a limit. One IMDb viewer argues that besides the cars, the film has nothing else to offer. That is harsh, but it is fair to say character depth and surprises are not the priority here.

If you want the kind of twisty chase story seen in In Cold Light, expect something more basic. Cursa is built for speed, not subtlety.

Is Cursa Worth Watching?

Yes, if you want a fast, noisy street-racing movie with a clear emotional hook. Cursa is not reinventing the genre, but it delivers stunts, sound and style in under 100 minutes.

Audience scores back up a positive-but-modest picture. IMDb shows 7.2/10, while CineMagia lists 6.9/10 from 171 votes. Critic coverage is thin, so treat those numbers as audience sentiment rather than a consensus.

If you are asking whether Cursa is worth watching, think of it as a good-value night of adrenaline. Lower your expectations for dialogue and raise them for engine noise. For fans of the Cursa page on IMDb details, the film's cast and crew listings are a handy next stop.

Who Will Enjoy Cursa

• Fans of street racing, custom cars and practical-feeling stunts.

• Viewers who want a short, easy-to-follow action film with a family stake at its center.

• Anyone curious about Romanian genre cinema aiming for a bigger stage. Similar crowd-pleasers include Hijacked.