Netflix’s action-thriller ‘Lost Bullet’ (Balle Perdue) is the latest French action movie coming out of an industry that is known for films like District 13, Sleepless Night, Taxi, and many others in the genre. While it lacks in story and thrill, it’s pretty good in action which makes it entertaining.

“Lost Bullet” Movie Plot or Summary

The film has a simple and universally known plot, as it follows an innocent man trying to prove his innocence by running away from the corrupt cops. It all starts with Lino (Alban Lenoir), a highly-skilled car mechanic, who along with his accomplice, drives and rams through a jewelry store (of course to loot), but his car gets jammed and he got caught by the cops.

A few years down the lane, we see him inside the prison and a cop Charas (Ramzy Bedia) offering him a second chance if he agrees to help the cops as a mechanic. Charas is a good cop and genuinely thinks good for Lino. However, when they are out on a mission, a few corrupt cops make things ugly, leaving Lino alone to fight till the end to defend his innocence.

“Lost Bullet” Movie Review

Written and directed by Guillaume Pierret, “Lost Bullet” is linear and predictable, yet entertaining for its well-choreographed action sequences. The film is thin in terms of story and characterization, but it strikes in action that it promises the most from the very beginning.

There is no background to the characters to evoke any reaction from us. The only thing we see from the emotion and drama point is Lino has a brother. But that is typically not enough to add any dimension to the story. The last time we watched a similar movie is Netflix’s “Wheelman”, starring Frank Grillo.  

Action in “Lost Bullet”

Keeping the storyline aside, the action is enjoyable. We have hand combat scenes, car chases, guns, and blazes, but only in a realistic zone. Neither “Lost Bullet” is overloaded with action, nor those are misplaced. They are all well-choreographed and go nicely with the narration. Moreover, Alban Lenoir has done stunts that make it even more appealing.

Within a limited runtime, we also see some genuinely good actors. And by the end of the film, we might expect that there is more to the story of Lino, as he is the only character that kind of establishes his persona.

Here is the trailer for “Lost Bullet”

Additional Note:

Looking at the huge number of horror and suspense films and shows available both on Netflix and Amazon Prime, there is always a window for the action genre. However, this genre has already been exhausted by big production houses and without any original or refreshing take, many of us would not be satisfied at all.

While Luc Besson introduces the French action style in Hollywood with the likes of Léon: The Professional, Lucy, and the Taken film series, we still look forward to many original French action thrillers.

If you want to try something different, and if you do not have much expectation other than fast-paced action, Netflix’s recent stylish action film “Lost Bullet” is indeed a one-time watch, and only for genre film lovers.

‘Lost Bullet’ French Title: Balle perdue
Directed by Guillaume Pierret
Written by Guillaume Pierret, Alban Lenoir and Kamel Guemra
Cast: Alban Lenoir, Nicolas Duvauchelle, Ramzy Bedia, Stéfi Celma, Rod Paradot, Sébastien Lalanne, Pascale Arbillot, Arthur Aspaturian, Patrick Médioni.
Distributed by Netflix
Release Date: June 19, 2020
Country/Language: France/French (streaming with dubbed English)

Where to watch Lost Bullet (2020)