Netflix's newest No. 1 movie is an explosive new action-thriller

Eric (Dylan Sprouse) (front) and Romeo (Mason Gooding) holding pistols in "Aftermath"
(Image credit: Voltage Pictures)

Netflix looks to have added yet another buzzy action thriller to their library. The new movie in question is "Aftermath", which sees Dylan Sprouse taking on the action hero mantle in a hostage situation.

"Aftermath" only arrived on the streaming service just a couple of days ago (on Feb. 10), but in just a short space of time, it's already managed to claim the No. 1 spot from Amy Schumer's new R-rated comedy, "Kinda Pregnant".

Trying to decide whether to stream "Aftermath" on Netflix? Below, you can find more info about the new movie, and our verdict on the buzzy new Netflix action effort to help you decide.

What is 'Aftermath' about?

Aftermath Exclusive Trailer (2024) - YouTube Aftermath Exclusive Trailer (2024) - YouTube
Watch On

Patrick Lussier’s “Aftermath” sees former Army Ranger Corporal Eric Daniels (Dylan Sprouse) and his sister trapped in a hostage situation.

On their way to the movies, Eric and Maddie (Megan Stott) drive onto gridlock traffic on Boston’s Tobin Memorial Bridge. While they're worried about making their showing, the pair soon find they've got bigger problems.

A terrorist group — led by Captain Jimmy ‘Romeo’ Roken (Mason Gooding) — blows a section of the bridge and takes everyone stuck on it hostage while hunting for a high-profile prisoner. The group proves they're armed and dangerous when they start executing hostages to get what they want, prompting Eric to put his training into practice to ensure everyone can get home safely.

In addition to Sprouse, Stott, and Gooding, “Aftermath” also stars Dichen Lachman, Derek K. Moore, Mark Pettograsso, Will Lyman, Nick Apostolides, Kevin Chapman, and Jason Armani Martinez.

Should you stream 'Aftermath' on Netflix?

Dichen Lachman as Doc in "Aftermath"

(Image credit: Voltage Pictures)

Unless you've exhausted all the great action movies available on Netflix, I wouldn't recommend watching "Aftermath." The best way I can summarize why is that "Aftermath" is simply trying too hard to be a tense action thriller.

Alas, the script’s not strong enough to support something this “serious” in tone, filled as it is with constant f-bombs, hammy turns of phrase, and the most obvious story beats you can imagine.

Mason Gooding is the best of the cast; watching his zealous terror cell leader grow increasingly erratic as he scrabbles to keep control of the situation is at least somewhat entertaining. Nevertheless, his campy Captain isn’t going to go down in movie history as a must-see action villain, and Dylan Sprouse’s bland veteran is just too generic to make for a compelling hero.

Romeo (Mason Gooding) as seen in "Aftermath"

(Image credit: Voltage Pictures)

Throw in some ropey visual effects, and an intrusive “epic” score, and you’re left with a movie that's neither a tense hostage thriller nor a blast of schlocky, B-movie action. I’m no action snob, either — I love a Jason Statham movie as much as the next person — but “Aftermatch” just doesn’t have much to offer.

At the time of writing, ”Aftermath” hasn’t garnered a ton of interest from movie critics, and it is yet to earn a rating on the review aggregate site, Rotten Tomatoes. However, if you take a look at the handful of viewer ratings that are on the site, you’ll see that the majority of viewers haven't exactly been kind to "Aftermath", either.

One user summed the entire movie up as “really, really bad”, and said they “wish[ed] I could have that time back”, with a third rather damningly branding "Aftermath" “the absolute worst movie I’ve ever seen.” Yikes.

If you’d like to see what’s in store and make up your own mind, you can stream “Aftermath” on Netflix now. But if you’ve now been put off streaming “Aftermath”, and need to find a new film for your next movie night, we can still help.

For more streaming recommendations, check out our round-up of the best Netflix action movies or our overall guide to the best movies on Netflix which you can stream right now.

More from Tom's Guide

Staff Writer, Streaming

Martin is a Streaming Writer at Tom’s Guide, covering all things movies and TV. If it’s in the theaters or available to stream somewhere, he’s probably watched it… especially if it has a dragon in it. Before joining the team, he was a Staff Writer at What To Watch where he wrote about a broad range of shows that stretched from "Doctor Who" and "The Witcher" to "Bridgerton" and "Love Island". When he’s not watching the next must-see movie or show, he’s probably still in front of a screen playing massive RPGs, reading, spending a fortune on TCGs, or watching the NFL.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Read more
Megan Fox and Bruce Willis in "Midnight in the Switchgrass" (2021)
Netflix just got a crime thriller movie that’s already crashed the top 10 — but there’s a problem
Sullivan Stapleton as Matt Barnes in "Renegades"
Netflix just got an action-thriller movie that’s already crashed the top 10 — but there’s a problem
Noe Hernandez, Luis Curiel, Luis Alberti, Leonardo Alonso, and David Calderon in "Counterattack" on Netflix
Netflix’s new action-thriller movie just crashed the top 10 — and it’s an adrenaline-fueled ride
Shailene Woodley as Eleanor Falco in "To Catch a Killer"
Netflix just added a crime thriller you (probably) haven’t seen — and it’s packed with mystery
A bloody Franck Lazareff (Guillaume Canet) in a white t shirt in Netflix's "Ad Vitam"
Netflix just added a gripping new action thriller movie — and it's perfect for 'Taken' fans
Nicolas Cage in The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
This Nicolas Cage action-comedy movie just crashed the Netflix top 10 — and it's completely hilarious
Latest in Netflix
Josh Hartnett in Trap
Netflix top 10 movies — here’s the 3 worth watching right now
(L-R) Natasha Lyonne as Rachel, Elizabeth Olsen as Christina and Carrie Coon as Katie in "His Three Daughters" streaming on Netflix in September 2024
I’ve streamed 38 Netflix movies in the last year — here’s the 5 best you’ve (probably) haven’t seen
Michael Keaton, Joan Baez and John Mulaney at "Everybody's Live with John Mulaney" at The Sunset Gower Studios on March 12, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA.
John Mulaney's new Netflix live talk show gets this one thing right
Soledad Villamil as Ema in "Caught" coming soon to Netflix
Netflix’s latest mystery thriller show just got its first trailer — and it looks like the perfect binge-watch
Stephen Graham as Eddie Miller in "Adolescence"
Netflix just got my favorite show of 2025 so far — you need to binge-watch this crime drama right now
Robert De Niro as George in "Zero Day" coming to Netflix in February 2025
Netflix confirms new crime thriller movie with Robert De Niro — and it’s already on my watchlist
Latest in News
OnePlus Pad 2 with keyboard
OnePlus Pad 2 Pro specs leak — this tablet is a beast
Josh Hartnett in Trap
Netflix top 10 movies — here’s the 3 worth watching right now
Gemini logo on smartphone
Google is giving away Gemini's best paid features for free — here's the tools you can try now
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Older Samsung phones are finally getting One UI 7 — here's all the devices
A photo of Apple CarPly in use
Apple CarPlay just got a welcome upgrade in iOS 18.4 — what you need to know
Billy Bob Thornton in Landman
‘Landman’ season 2 is official after Paramount Plus renews Taylor Sheridan drama