Directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber, Skyscraper is an action thriller that hit French theaters on July 11, 2018. Led by Dwayne Johnson, alongside Neve Campbell and Chin Han, the film follows the classic trapped-in-a-disaster scenario, this time set at the top of a futuristic skyscraper in Hong Kong. After several screenings in cinemas and on streaming platforms, the movie will be broadcast free-to-air on TF1 on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at 9:10 p.m.
Will Sawyer, a former FBI hostage rescue team leader and U.S. Army veteran, now assesses the safety of the world's tallest skyscrapers. Stationed in Hong Kong, he finds himself unexpectedly caught up in a catastrophic event when a fire engulfs the Pearl—a cutting-edge skyscraper marketed as the safest building ever constructed.
Wrongfully accused of causing the disaster, Will is forced to go on the run. As authorities close in, his wife and two children find themselves trapped inside the burning building. Alone, wounded, and without resources, he must uncover the real culprits, clear his name, and fight against all odds to rescue his family—navigating an environment where every floor he climbs levels up the danger.
Skyscraper signals a shift in tone for Rawson Marshall Thurber, who was previously best known for his comedies like Dodgeball or Agents presque secrets. Here, he teams up again with Dwayne Johnson for a more action-packed offering, crafted as a modern take on the classic influences like Die Hard or The Towering Inferno. The central setting, the Pearl, is a fictional skyscraper over 1,000 meters tall—designed as a marvel of technology and architecture, and serving as the core of the story’s narrative.
The film stands out for its choice of a protagonist who is intentionally vulnerable: amputated below the knee, Will Sawyer isn’t depicted as invincible but rather as someone who must navigate his physical limitations. Dwayne Johnson drew inspiration from the experiences of amputee athletes to lend authenticity to his movements and actions — a crucial aspect in the many scenes involving suspension and climbing.
With its relentless pace and the use of vertigo as a driving dramatic force, Skyscraper primarily appeals to fans of spectacular action movies and intense close-quarters suspense. The digital effects mainly aim to heighten the sensation of height and peril, while the plot revolves around a straightforward formula: a countdown, a clearly defined threat, and a race against time.
Skyscraper | Movie | 2018
Released in theaters: July 11, 2018
TV Broadcast: TF1 on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at 9:10 PM
Action, thriller | Duration: 1h43
Directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber | Starring Dwayne Johnson, Neve Campbell, Chin Han
Original Title: Skyscraper
Country: United States
Dedicated to pure action entertainment, Skyscraper is built around a straightforward concept set in a single, towering location, turning the building into an arena for high-octane sequences. While it doesn’t aim to reinvent the genre, the film offers a modern take on disaster movies, focusing on one man’s fight to survive against a structure that has spiraled out of control.
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