Six Bullets is a 2012 action thriller directed by Ernie Barbarash and starring Jean-Claude Van Damme in a gritty, fast-paced film centered around kidnapping, human trafficking, and redemption. Known for his martial arts prowess, Van Damme returns to form in this intense, violent movie where his character is caught in a personal and emotional battle while trying to save an innocent life. The film doesn’t stray far from the usual Van Damme formula but offers enough action and suspense to satisfy fans of the genre.

Plot Overview:

The story revolves around Samson Gaul (Jean-Claude Van Damme), a former mercenary turned professional kidnap recovery expert, who has retired after a mission gone wrong. Gaul, haunted by the loss of innocent lives during one of his past rescues, is reluctant to return to his old profession. However, when the teenage daughter of a professional MMA fighter, Andrew Fayden (Joe Flanigan), is kidnapped while in Moldova, Gaul is convinced to take on the case.

As Gaul and Fayden work together to track down the girl, they uncover a dangerous world of human trafficking and corruption. The duo faces not only the kidnappers but also a series of violent and dangerous adversaries as they race against time to save the girl. Gaul is forced to confront his demons and rely on his brutal combat skills to navigate through a web of criminal activity and get justice.

Performances:

• Jean-Claude Van Damme (Samson Gaul): Van Damme delivers a solid, if somewhat familiar, performance as a tough, world-weary man of action. Gaul is a character haunted by his past, and Van Damme brings a certain emotional depth to the role, especially in moments when Gaul is grappling with guilt. However, the film primarily plays to Van Damme’s strengths—his physicality and his expertise in martial arts—and fans of his action roles will not be disappointed. He executes intense fight sequences with precision, showcasing his signature style.
• Joe Flanigan (Andrew Fayden): Flanigan, best known for his role in Stargate Atlantis, plays the concerned father turned reluctant action hero. His portrayal of a man desperate to save his daughter is believable, and while his character lacks the combat experience of Gaul, Flanigan does a good job of holding his own in the film’s more dramatic moments. His chemistry with Van Damme, particularly as the two men learn to trust each other, adds to the dynamic of the film.
• Anna-Louise Plowman (Monica Fayden): Plowman plays the role of Andrew’s wife, Monica, whose emotional distress adds a layer of tension to the film. Although her character is largely sidelined in favor of the action-focused plot, she brings an important emotional counterbalance to the more violent aspects of the story.
• Kris Van Varenberg (Selwyn Gaul): Van Varenberg, Van Damme’s real-life son, plays Gaul’s son in the movie. His role is minor but serves to highlight Gaul’s personal struggles and the strained relationship he has with his family due to his violent profession.

Action and Direction:

The film’s action sequences are well-executed, with plenty of hand-to-hand combat, gunfights, and chase scenes. Director Ernie Barbarash keeps the pace fast, ensuring that there’s little downtime between intense sequences. The choreography is typical of Van Damme’s films—visceral, brutal, and efficient. Each fight scene is designed to highlight Van Damme’s martial arts skills, and the film does not hold back on the violence, with bone-crunching hits and high-stakes confrontations.

Barbarash’s direction focuses on creating a gritty, grim atmosphere, particularly in the scenes set in Moldova, where the human trafficking ring operates. The locations, mostly rundown urban environments, add to the film’s bleak tone, matching the dark subject matter. The film effectively creates a sense of urgency, with Gaul and Fayden racing against time to rescue the girl before it’s too late.

Themes:

• Redemption and Guilt: The central theme of Six Bullets is redemption. Samson Gaul’s arc is about confronting his past failures and finding redemption by saving Andrew’s daughter. His reluctance to return to his old life, driven by guilt over the deaths caused by his actions, adds emotional depth to what might otherwise be a straightforward action movie.
• The Horrors of Human Trafficking: The film’s focus on human trafficking adds a grim realism to the story. While the film doesn’t dive too deeply into the political or social aspects of trafficking, it uses the theme to highlight the desperation of the victims and the moral stakes of the rescue mission. It’s a dark and heavy topic, and the film treats it with enough seriousness to avoid feeling exploitative.
• Fatherhood and Responsibility: The relationship between Gaul and Fayden is another key aspect of the film. Both are fathers fighting for their children, and their bond strengthens as they work together. Fayden’s transformation from an anxious father into an active participant in the rescue reflects his growing sense of responsibility and courage.

Strengths:

• Well-Choreographed Action: The fight scenes are intense and well-executed, with Van Damme delivering the kind of high-energy martial arts combat he’s known for. Fans of Van Damme’s physical style will not be disappointed by the frequent and varied action scenes.
• Emotional Core: While Six Bullets is primarily an action thriller, Van Damme’s portrayal of a man burdened by guilt gives the film some emotional weight. His struggle to overcome his past mistakes and do the right thing adds complexity to the character, elevating the film above standard action fare.
• Pacing: The film’s brisk pacing ensures that the tension never lets up. With minimal filler, it moves from one action set piece to the next while maintaining a sense of urgency.

Weaknesses:

• Predictable Plot: While the film is entertaining, it follows a fairly predictable path. The story of a retired expert pulled back into action for a rescue mission has been done many times before, and Six Bullets doesn’t offer any major surprises or twists to deviate from the formula.
• Lack of Character Development for Supporting Cast: The supporting characters, particularly Monica Fayden and the human traffickers, are underdeveloped. They serve more as plot devices than fully fleshed-out characters, which limits the emotional impact of their storylines.
• Dark Tone May Be Overbearing: While the film tackles a serious issue like human trafficking, its unrelenting grimness might be off-putting for some viewers. The film’s heavy subject matter, combined with its violent action, makes it a particularly intense viewing experience.

Final Thoughts:

Six Bullets is a solid action thriller that delivers exactly what fans of Jean-Claude Van Damme expect—plenty of intense fight scenes, a strong protagonist, and a fast-paced, action-driven plot. While it doesn’t break new ground in terms of storytelling or character development, it offers enough excitement and emotional depth to stand out within the action genre. Van Damme’s portrayal of Samson Gaul, a man seeking redemption for his past mistakes, gives the film a little more substance than the typical action fare.

For fans of gritty action movies with a focus on rescue missions and human drama, Six Bullets is a satisfying and engaging watch.

Suggested Video for You: If you enjoyed Six Bullets, you might like Taken (2008), another intense action thriller about a former operative who goes on a mission to rescue his kidnapped daughter, blending personal stakes with high-octane action.