Guy Ritchie's distinctive style has once again captured the streaming audience's attention with The Gentlemen television series. Serving as a follow-up to his popular 2019 film, the show expanded Ritchie's signature blend of dark humor and gritty action, benefiting from a substantial Netflix budget and a strong ensemble cast led by Theo James and Kaya Scodelario.
The first season of The Gentlemen was a massive success for Netflix, accumulating 12.2 million views within its initial days. While the second season has returned as the most-watched show globally on Netflix, it has struggled to replicate its predecessor's initial towering numbers. A recent report indicates that The Gentlemen Season 2 garnered only 6.7 million views during the same period, marking a significant 45% decrease between seasons. Despite this drop, James' portrayal of Eddie Horniman and his expanding criminal enterprise continues to receive positive feedback, which in turn is drawing viewers to other projects featuring the actor that may have previously gone unnoticed.
One such project is Fuze, an underrated action-thriller starring James alongside Aaron Taylor-Johnson, another actor previously considered for the James Bond role, and Avatar's Sam Worthington. The film plunges into chaos when an unexploded World War II bomb is discovered on a bustling London construction site, triggering a race against time evacuation that puts countless lives at risk. While Fuze had a modest theatrical run, it has found a new lease on life through streaming. Currently, Fuze stands as the most-watched film on HBO Max in the U.S., a success undoubtedly boosted by Theo James' heightened visibility from The Gentlemen.
What Did Critics Say About 'Fuze'?
Theo James is no stranger to critical acclaim, with The Gentlemen Season 2 earning widespread praise. Fuze also received a generally positive reception, achieving a "certified fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes, though it wasn't without its detractors. Ross Bonaime, reviewing the film for Collider, offered a negative assessment, labeling Fuze "mediocre." He elaborated, "*Fuze* could’ve been a truly captivating, thrilling action film that knows how to handle its surprises, but instead, [director David] Mackenzie’s latest is just an unfortunate bomb."
Release Date: April 24, 2026 Runtime: 98 minutes Director: David Mackenzie Writers: Ben Hopkins Producers: Gillian Berrie, Callum Grant, David Mackenzie, Sebastien Raybaud