Lazarus: The Awakening (2026) Review: A Resurrected Vigilante Takes On Fentanyl

This Lazarus: The Awakening review looks at a small-scale action film that mixes a supernatural-flavored vigilante story with a very real drug crisis. Directed by Art Camacho and released on February 20, 2026, it runs a lean 87 minutes. Audience reaction so far has been rough, so expectations matter here.

Lazarus: The Awakening Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

The Lazarus: The Awakening plot centers on Ray Lazarus, a vigilante who has come back from the dead. He sets out to dismantle a drug network in Jackson, a city hit hard by fentanyl. Along the way he runs into a kingpin and a reporter, and what starts as a search for justice turns into open war.

The tagline, "In the dark he shall be the light," tells you the tone. This is a pulpy, comic-book-style hero tale with street-level crime in the background. I am keeping the later developments out of this review.

The film is also tied to an earlier outing in the character's story, since one viewer says it continues to build out the storyline. Newcomers should still be able to follow the basic setup.

What Works in Lazarus: The Awakening

The premise is the strongest card. A returned-from-death avenger is an old idea, but setting him against the fentanyl epidemic gives the action genre some real-world weight. Not every film in this category bothers with that.

The film also keeps moving. At 87 minutes it does not overstay its welcome, and the structure of hero, kingpin and journalist is easy to grasp.

• A clear hook: the resurrection and the drug war are both explained quickly.

• A hero to cheer for: one IMDb viewer praised Ray Lazarus as a figure you feel good rooting for.

• A story some viewers liked: a Letterboxd reviewer found the story good, even while criticizing the production.

If you enjoy action cinema with a vigilante at its center, you can find a few things to like. The genre fan will recognize the beats and may enjoy them. You can browse more in our action movie reviews.

Lazarus: The Awakening Cast and Performances

Sean Riggs plays Ray Lazarus and is also credited as one of the three writers, alongside Anubis Heru and Caroline Roschman. That gives the film a personal, passion-project feel. R. Marcos Taylor plays the kingpin Demetrius Barkley, the main force standing in the hero's way.

Courtney Grace appears as Vanessa Young, and Gem Marc Collins plays Alonzo Young. Britton Webb is Danny, and Fred Davis rounds out the listed cast. Viewer comments about the acting are not kind, with one Letterboxd reviewer calling the writing and acting poor. Still, a villain role like Barkley's is where a low-budget action film often finds its best energy.

Where Lazarus: The Awakening Stumbles

The biggest complaint is craft. Viewers on Letterboxd call the fight scenes bad, and another says the production values feel weak. For an action film, weak fights are a serious problem, because the genre lives on them.

The writing draws criticism as well. One reviewer compares the film to Blade but says it adds unnecessary powers and suffers from poor dialogue. That suggests the supernatural side of Ray Lazarus may feel muddled next to the grounded drug-war plot.

The numbers back up the mood. IMDb shows a 3.6 out of 10 from 156 users, and one viewer calls it a B-class movie with nothing special. Metacritic has no critic reviews yet, so there is no professional consensus to lean on. TMDB shows a 7 out of 10, but from only four votes, which is too small to mean much.

Is Lazarus: The Awakening Worth Watching?

Only for a specific kind of viewer. If you go in wanting polished action, the early audience response suggests you will be disappointed. If you are curious about indie vigilante stories and can forgive rough production, it may be an easy 87 minutes.

The subject matter is timely and the hero is built to be liked. But the fights and writing are reported as the weak links, and those matter most here. I would wait for a discount, a free slot or a lazy evening rather than make a special trip.

If you want a stronger crime thriller about drug lords, our Facing El Chapo review covers another 2026 release. For background on the film's credits, see its TMDB page.

Who Will Enjoy Lazarus: The Awakening

• Fans of low-budget vigilante action who forgive rough edges.

• Viewers interested in stories that tackle the fentanyl crisis through genre filmmaking.

• Anyone who followed the earlier Lazarus story and wants to see it continue.