Afterburn

After a colossal solar flare wipes out the Eastern Hemisphere, scattered survivors cling to fragile enclaves where radiation and fallout have warped landscapes and life forms. A ragged crew of relic hunters led by Jake moves through this ruined world to recover priceless objects pulled from vaults and museums, targeting the Mona Lisa, the Rosetta Stone and the Crown Jewels. Each retrieval becomes a risky operation as rival crews, mutated raiders and pirate bands contest the finds, turning every job into a chaotic scramble. The film keeps a brisk pace, mixing fast heists with comic banter, and quick humor undercuts bleak moments, and crew loyalties shift as stakes rise. Uncertainty.

Directed by stunt veteran J.J. Perry and created by Scott Chitwood, Paul Ens and Matt Johnson, Afterburn arrived in 2025 as a science fiction action comedy that emphasized practical stunts. Its cast includes Dave Bautista, Olga Kurylenko and Kristofer Hivju.

Afterburn's blend of art-heist tropes with sun-scorched wastelands produced a vivid visual identity, and its stunt-driven set pieces became popular clip material online. Costumes, prop relics and stunt highlights inspired fan art and cosplay within genre communities. Stunt professionals praised its choreography and practical effects, and cosplayers favored relic props online.

Audience ratings average 6.61/10 from 154 votes, reflecting a mixed but generally favorable response to its tone and cast. Reviewers highlighted Dave Bautista's presence and the physical action, while noting plot unevenness and pacing issues. The film touches on survival, salvage economics and the value of cultural artifacts after collapse.

At the box office it was more of a niche attraction than a mainstream blockbuster, drawing genre fans with stunt spectacle and star power. Its home video and streaming runs helped it reach a wider audience eventually, festival screenings.