It’s no coincidence that three of the best action films of 2025 have several common threads running through them, most notably being Marko Zaror and Scott Adkins. Zaror stars in Affinity, while Adkins stars in Prisoner of War, and both actors star in Diablo. These guys have been around for years, but unlike some of their contemporaries or action stars before them, they continually strive to break the mold and aren’t afraid to push boundaries to deliver something fresh and new.
In Diablo, the two actors share the screen in an intense thriller that is filled with action and features brilliant performances. Affinity allows Zaror to shine on his own in a tight, action-packed film. Prisoner of War is a harrowing war drama that features martial arts and showcases some of Adkins’s best character work to date. Coming out on September 19th from WellGo USA, Prisoner of War takes action to the next level.
British RAF Wing Commander James Wright (Scott Adkins) is shot down and taken prisoner by Japanese forces during the height of World War II. Thrown into a harsh camp where cruelty is routine, Wright is singled out and forced into savage hand-to-hand battles meant to break both body and spirit. But his captors soon discover they’ve underestimated him, including Lieutenant Ito (Peter Shinkoda).
Having trained extensively in martial arts during his years in Hong Kong, Wright transforms every fight into a test of survival and defiance. His skill, discipline, and sheer willpower turn captivity into a battleground, making him a far more dangerous prisoner than they ever imagined.
Make no mistake, Prisoner of War is a hard-hitting action spectacle, but it takes time to establish complex characters with real dilemmas that could cost the lives of all those around them. There are guys like Steven Seagal who find the type of character that works best for them and stick with it throughout their career. That’s great, that’s why we love them, but Adkins is different.
He continues to do those types of films as well, but he isn’t afraid to stray off the beaten path. Adkins finds ways to inject new life into those films and characters, creating something far more powerful than what we’re used to. This is one of those films. He, along with Mark Clebanoff, has crafted a wonderfully written script that’s executed with perfection by Louis Mandylor.
Just about any character in the film is worthy of having their own story told. You instantly want to know more about all of them as they are introduced and how they ended up in the POW camp. Michael Copon, Michael Rene Walton, Gabbie Garcia, Gary Cairns, Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, and Shane Kosugi all turn in terrific performances. Still, it’s the two leads at the center pushing it to the next level.
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Adkins and Peter Shinkoda have powerful chemistry; each confrontation builds the tension, never knowing how it will end until their final confrontation. Even then, it keeps you on your toes until the very final frame. Louis Mandylor, an action star in his own right, has gracefully transitioned behind the camera and confidently delivered a film that never pulls punches, puts the story first, and, despite monetary setbacks, has delivered one of the year’s best action films.
Even though Adkins has appeared in some of Hollywood’s biggest action films (John Wick: Chapter 4, The Rip), he still has not been fully given the opportunity to be looked at in the same light as someone like Van Damme or Stallone. He’s (over) paid his dues, and with his performance in Prisoner of War, there’s no denying that he should be a mega-star.
Having appeared in nearly eighty films, Adkins still has passion and drive. This may be his best performance to date, and Prisoner of War is bound to become an action classic.
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