Subscribe to watch - 14-day free trial, then £6.99 a month
Point Break
Kathryn Bigelow’s pulse-pounding action thriller and heady bromance, with Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze.
Director: Kathryn Bigelow
Overview
A quintessential big-budget thriller, with director Kathryn Bigelow utilising the physical prowess of her two leads to tell the story of an FBI agent drawn into a cat-and-mouse game with surfing bank robbers. Working on his partner’s hunch that a spate of bank robberies is being committed by a tight-knit gang of surfers, undercover agent Johnny Utah infiltrates the California surfing fraternity to uncover the identity of the ‘Ex-Presidents’, who commit heists while wearing facemasks of Ronald Reagan, Richard Nixon, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Jimmy Carter. But Johnny comes under the charismatic spell of Bodhi, a free-style philosopher obsessed with extreme sports, becoming hooked on the adrenaline-rush of a life on the edge.
Racing from one fast-paced and technically dazzling set piece to the next, with action unfolding on the surf, in the sky and through the streets of LA, Kathryn Bigelow simultaneously relishes and deconstructs the tropes of the ‘bromantic’ action spectacular.
Related
Hapkido Hapkido
Action and Adventure 1972 98 mins Director: Huang Feng
Two martial arts schools battle it out in Huang Feng’s action classic (aka Lady Kung Fu), starring long term collaborator and combat master, Angela Mao.
Project A Project A
Action and Adventure 1983 106 mins Director: Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan’s rip-roaring action-adventure about a coastguard hot on the trail of a ruthless band of pirates in late 19th century Hong Kong.
China O'Brien China O'Brien
Action and Adventure 1991 91 mins Director: Robert Clouse
Cynthia Rothrock stars as the tough city cop and martial artist on the trail of a local crime boss, in this action classic from the director of Enter the Dragon.
A Bittersweet Life A Bittersweet Life
Action and Adventure 2005 120 mins Director: Kim Jee-woon and Doo Hong Jung
A hitman becomes the target in this ultra-stylish neo noir from Kim Jee-woon.
Heroes Shed No Tears Heroes Shed No Tears
Action and Adventure 1984 89 mins Director: John Woo
Master action director John Woo presents this ferociously violent tale of a group of mercenaries sent to capture a drug baron.
The Street Fighter The Street Fighter
Action and Adventure 1974 91 mins Director: Shigehiro Ozawa
Legendary martial artist Sonny Chiba stars in this cult karate classic that's revered by Quentino Tarantino.
A Touch of Zen A Touch of Zen
Action and Adventure 1971 179 mins Director: King Hu
King Hu's epic swordplay saga combines ghost story, martial arts mastery and Buddhist mythology to stunning, hypnotic effect.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Martial arts 2000 120 mins Director: Ang Lee
Ang Lee’s exquisitely choreographed Oscar-winning epic, starring Chow Yun-fat, Michelle Yeoh and Ziyi Zhang on a quest to recover a stolen sword.
The Big Boss The Big Boss
Action and Adventure 1971 100 mins Director: Lo Wei
Bruce Lee plays the factory worker who takes on a drug-smuggling gang, in the breakthrough film that catapulted him to cinematic superstardom.
Way of the Dragon Way of the Dragon
Drama 1972 99 mins Director: Bruce Lee Siu-lung
Bruce Lee faces off against Chuck Norris in his only completed directorial work, and arguably his most personal film.
Heroes Shed No Tears Heroes Shed No Tears
Action and Adventure 1984 89 mins Director: John Woo
Master action director John Woo presents this ferociously violent tale of a group of mercenaries sent to capture a drug baron.
Run Lola Run Run Lola Run
Drama 1998 80 mins Director: Tom Tykwer
Tom Tykwer’s breathtaking time-loop thriller, with a terrific Franka Potente as the titular runner attempting to save her boyfriend.
The Loveless The Loveless
Drama 1981 79 mins Director: Kathryn Bigelow and Monty Montgomery
In the first (credited) feature from both star Willem Dafoe and director Kathryn Bigelow, a gang of rebellious bikers cause small-town mayhem.
Disco Boy Disco Boy
Drama 2023 92 mins Director: Giacomo Abbruzzese
Franz Rogowski (Bird, Passages) is superb as a migrant mercenary with a heart of darkness, in this trippy jungle odyssey.
Code 46 Code 46
Science Fiction 2004 93 mins Director: Michael Winterbottom
Michael Winterbottom's cult sci-fi stars Tim Robbins and Samantha Morton as star-crossed lovers in a totalitarian world; set to an intoxicating soundtrack by David Holmes' Free Association.
The Queen of My Dreams The Queen of My Dreams
Comedy 2023 99 mins Director: Fawzia Mirza
Soulful story of the love and war between a queer woman and her mother, spanning across decades and continents.
Safe Safe
Drama 1995 119 mins Director: Todd Haynes
Julianne Moore stars as a suburban housewife who suffers from a mysterious illness in Todd Haynes’ inspired blend of horror and existential Americana.
Red Rooms Red Rooms
Drama 2023 118 mins Director: Pascal Plante
The allure of the serial killer is explored in this deeply unsettling and unforgettable exploration of the impact of extreme violence.
The Last Detail The Last Detail
Comedy 1973 104 mins Director: Hal Ashby
Jack Nicholson is at his very best in this highly-acclaimed dramatic comedy from Hal Ashby about three sailors on the loose.