Marko Zaror is one of the few true action stars we have left working in modern cinema. He’s starred in several Chilean action classics like Redeemer (2014) and Mandrill (2008) before finding himself in major Hollywood blockbusters like Alita: Battle Angel (2019), John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023), and The Killer’s Game (2024). In addition to these, Zaror has been in quite a few more English-language films, but never as the lead. Affinity (2025) is his opportunity to carry a movie in English, and he does so with ease. It knows exactly what it is and delivers what it should: unrelenting action.
Former SEAL Bruno (Marko Zaror), scarred by the traumas of war, lives a life of isolation until he rescues a woman, Athena (Jane Mirro), who helps to give him a purpose again. When a mysterious group suddenly takes her, Bruno turns to Joe (Louis Mandylor) and Fitch (Brooke Ence) for help, part of his former team. If they’re to get her back alive, they’ll have to embark on a relentless mission to learn the truth. What begins as a straightforward rescue becomes a battle against forces far more dangerous than he imagined.
At a tight eighty minutes, Affinity wastes no time getting started. In fact, there’s not a single wasted moment in the entire film. Each minute counts, and each frame is carefully planned to deliver plenty of action while taking just enough time to set up the story and establish a gripping mystery that, when solved, takes a direction I wasn’t expecting.
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Marko Zaror is electric as Bruno; he believably captures the rollercoaster of emotions that the character experiences throughout the film. Jane Mirro is a true talent; her performance is low-key, but she plays it in a way that you feel her pain. Louis Mandylor and Brooke Ence are a blast to watch, and their banter as a trio is fun and believable.
An action film is only as good as its villain, and thankfully, we have Brahim Chab stepping in, and he chews up the scenery. I’ve followed his career for quite a long time, so I know how talented a fighter he is, so when the showdown between him and Zaror comes along, you know you’re in store for a modern classic fight, and they don’t disappoint.
It has near-perfect pacing; it starts with an action sequence (done mostly in first-person) that sets up the emotional trauma suffered by Bruno before leading into a present-day fight scene that shows off Zaror at his best. Things slow down for a bit as the movie focuses on the love story, then goes ballistic to bring the audience home. Zaror really went all in, having had a hand in the script, was a producer, the fight choreographer, and more for his English-language debut as the star.
Brandon Slagle directs with confidence and really hits pay dirt this time out, thanks to such a talented cast and crew. It should also be noted that Chilean filmmaker Ernesto Diaz Espinoza, responsible for one of my other favorite action films from 2025, Diablo, served as the editor.
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Affinity is exactly the type of film I love to see. It jumps right to the point and pummels you from start to finish, rewarding you with some of the slickest action scenes of the year. Also, it feels like the action films I grew up on, where you don’t need fancy special effects, you have the star. Marko Zaror is a modern action hero who deserves his moment in the spotlight.
Affinity is easily one of the year’s best action films, and it’s time audiences pay attention to Zaror. Available on digital starting September 30th from WellGo USA.
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