Bastille Day, the Anglo-French action thriller directed by James Watkins(The Lady in Black), is back on streaming. Released in 2016, the film stars Idris Elba as a CIA agent facing a terrorist threat in Paris, alongside Richard Madden and Charlotte Le Bon. It will be available on HBO Max from August 8, 2025, after first arriving on Netflix on July 8, 2025.
The trailer heralds a tense chase through the streets of Paris, with action-packed scenes and political plots.
Bastille Day will be broadcast on HBO Max from August 8, 2025. It has also been available on Netflix since July 8, 2025.
Synopsis: In Paris, Michael Mason, an American pickpocket, becomes a CIA target after stealing a bag bomb. But Sean Briar, the agent in charge, soon realizes that Michael is merely a pawn in a vast conspiracy. By including him in his investigation, he begins a race against time to dismantle a terrorist operation about to plunge the city into chaos. The two men must work together despite their differences, hunted down by those they are trying to unmask.
Bastille Day is afast-paced action story set in the heart of Paris. Through a series of chases, infiltrations and confrontations, the film develops a fast-paced plot around an imminent terrorist threat. The dynamic between Idris Elba and Richard Madden is based on an unexpected duo: a determined agent and a thief in spite of himself, embroiled in a case that is beyond him.
The script, co-written by Andrew Baldwin, uses security tensions and political stakes to create a climate of urgency. The film's action sequences are set in iconic locations in the French capital, reinforcing its European roots.
Bastille Day could be of interest to fans of contemporary thrillers combining espionage, conspiracy and urban action. The film follows in the footsteps of Jason Bourne, Safe House or the Bodyguard series, with a more direct style and a short but tense plot.
Adult audiences looking for fast-paced entertainment centered on tracking and cooperation between opposing characters may find this an effective and accessible story.
Bastille Day is an Anglo-French co-production developed by StudioCanal and Focus Features. Directed by James Watkins, known for his forays into genre cinema, the film was shot in and around Paris. Its release in 2016 coincided with a period of tension in France, leading to a particular media reception.
Idris Elba 's physical performance as Sean Briar was noticed, and reinforced his image as an actor capable of alternating between blockbusters and more realistic thrillers.
Bastille Day is a tightly structured action thriller starring Idris Elba and Richard Madden, and directed by James Watkins. Set in Paris, the film tackles contemporary issues of terrorism and security. It will be available on HBO Max from August 8, 2025, following its addition to the Netflix catalog on July 8. An opportunity to (re)discover a direct and tense action film.
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