Haywire

Haywire follows Mallory Kane, a highly trained black ops operative who believes she can trust her colleagues, until a routine assignment turns into a trap. After being betrayed and left for dead, she escapes with a single goal: survive and uncover the people who set her up. As she tracks clues through a web of covert operators, former allies become suspects and the line between friend and foe blurs. The film threads intense street fights, high tech manipulation, and a tense cat and mouse chase across varied locales. What begins as a personal vendetta becomes a challenge to power and loyalty. Her methods mix stealth, improvisation, and brutal efficiency as the danger intensifies.

Directed by Steven Soderbergh, Haywire is written for the screen by Lem Dobbs. The action thriller stars Gina Carano in the lead, supported by Michael Fassbender, Channing Tatum, Michael Douglas and Antonio Banderas. The production leans on pragmatic stunt work and cool, controlled editing that emphasizes physical performance. The overall look favors pared down sets, natural lighting, and a tight, economical shooting rhythm.

The film had a budget of 23 million and grossed 33,372,606 worldwide. It earned modestly at the box office, reflecting a niche audience drawn to Soderbergh's stylized approach and Carano's breakout performance, rather than broad mass appeal.

Haywire is noted for its practical fight choreography and grounded style, with several long takes and close bouts that feel decisive. Carano's debut in a major feature helped spark discussion about women leading mid budget action thrillers. The film influenced some stunt teams and action directors.

Critics praised the mood and performances, noting Soderbergh's cool surgical direction. Some found the plot lean yet effective while the action and its choreography earned respect. The core themes center on trust, betrayal, and the cost of operating in a shadowy world.