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Action thriller

6 Underground (2019): Cast, Ratings & Plot

6 Underground (2019) movie poster

6 Underground is a 2019 action thriller directed by Michael Bay, starring Dave Franco as Six, Ryan Reynolds and Mélanie Laurent. It runs 2 hours 8 minutes and was made on a reported $150 million budget. Critics gave it 36% on Rotten Tomatoes and 41 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10.

IMDb rating
6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
36%
Echo Score
50
Metascore
41
6 Underground (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 8m (128 min)
Director
Michael Bay
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
Budget
$150M
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is 6 Underground About?

The premise of 6 Underground without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Six highly skilled individuals, each seeking redemption, band together to fight injustice as "6 Underground." Led by a mysterious figure portrayed by Ryan Reynolds, they fake their deaths and become invisible forces, operating outside the boundaries of the law. The team embraces their newfound freedom as they work to disrupt criminal organizations and challenge corruption around the globe, all while evading those who seek to expose their true identities.

6 Underground Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • reference to beaver cleaver
  • reference to hugh beaumont
  • reference to ward cleaver
  • yacht
  • gore
  • the future
  • ensemble cast
  • italy
  • florence italy
  • hong kong
  • dictator
  • fictional country
+38 more
  • coup d'etat
  • fighter jet
  • day of the dead
  • terrorism
  • aerobatics
  • pilot bails out
  • faking one's own death
  • aircraft grave yard
  • obscene gesture by a nun
  • car chase
  • car truck collision
  • hit by a car
  • falling off a bicycle
  • car motorcycle chase
  • close up of eye
  • spurting blood
  • jumping between buildings
  • eye ball
  • michelangelo's david
  • skateboarding
  • surgery in a moving vehicle
  • faked suicide
  • removing a bullet
  • drifting
  • forklift
  • dumping a body
  • reference to jerry mathers
  • reference to tony dow
  • reference to barbara billingsley
  • reference to june cleaver
  • uh 60 blackhawk helicopter
  • flag draped coffin
  • fire fight
  • humvee convoy
  • savannah georgia
  • graveside ceremony
  • arlington cemetary
  • slow motion action scene
Cast & crew

6 Underground Cast & Characters

Dave Franco leads the cast as Six, with Ryan Reynolds as One and Mélanie Laurent as Two. Directed by Michael Bay; 16 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

6 Underground Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave 6 Underground 36% on Rotten Tomatoes and 41 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 50/100, strongest in art & craft (75) and weakest in story & flow (35).

50 /100

6 Underground Echo Score Breakdown

While 6 Underground delivers relentless high-energy spectacle, it struggles to deliver coherent storytelling and character depth. Critics and viewers agree that Michael Bay’s dynamic direction fuels visually engaging set pieces, yet many note that the plot coherence and emotional stakes remain underdeveloped. The film’s emphasis on rapid pacing and stylistic flair often comes at the expense of narrative clarity. Overall, it offers entertaining action moments but lacks the cohesive structure to sustain lasting engagement across its runtime.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 75

    In terms of art and craft, the film excels in dynamic cinematography and inventive staging of action sequences. Explosive car chases and practical stunts feature clear shot composition and energetic editing. Production design offers varied backdrops from urban streets to desert vistas, though the relentless visual barrage can feel overwhelming at times. Overall, it provides distinctive stylistic flair.

  • Character & Emotion 45

    In terms of character and emotion, the film offers minimal depth beyond its lead performance. Ryan Reynolds injects charm and timing, but supporting roles lack development and emotional resonance. Dialogue seldom reveals inner motivations, reducing team chemistry to surface-level banter. Overall, the ensemble falls short of establishing meaningful connections with the audience.

  • Story & Flow 35

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative often feels disjointed and confusing. Extended exposition and abrupt scene changes hinder plot coherence, with numerous set pieces lacking clear causal links. Pacing accelerates during action but stagnates around character setups and final act sequences. Overall, the uneven structure undermines sustained engagement with the storyline.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    In terms of sensory experience, the film delivers impactful sound design and robust soundtrack accompaniment. The mix of thumping scores and explosive audio effects heightens the immersive quality of action scenes. Visually, the palette alternates between saturated urban hues and stark desert tones, creating strong stylistic contrast. Overall, the sensory elements are engaging if somewhat unsubtle.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    In terms of rewatch factor, the film’s appeal is primarily tied to its action sequences rather than narrative depth. Viewers may revisit for the choreographed stunts and visual spectacle, but the lack of emotional stakes and story coherence limits repeat engagement. Overall, the movie offers intermittent excitement but little incentive for multiple viewings.

Plot

6 Underground Plot Summary

What happens in 6 Underground from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

After bearing witness to the atrocities of a ruthless regime in the Middle Eastern nation of Turgistan, an unnamed American billionaire and philanthropist—who made his fortune inventing neodymium magnets—decides to fake his own death. This bold move allows him to form an anonymous vigilante squad, targeting criminals and terrorists that governments refuse to confront.

The neodymium magnets, tiny yet powerful, can be manipulated with electronic devices, turning them into dangerous weapons. Realizing that his wealth alone cannot address the world’s deep-rooted issues, he takes matters into his own hands. Now known as “One” (Ryan Reynolds), he enlists five other individuals to leave their pasts behind and join his cause as the “Ghosts.”

Full summary

The whole story of 6 Underground, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

6 Underground Trailers & Videos

4 videos: 3 trailers and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

6 Underground | Official Trailer | Netflix
  • Trailer 6 Underground | Visit Italy | Netflix
  • Trailer Final Trailer | 6 Underground | Netflix
  • Behind the Scenes 6 Underground | Behind the Scenes | Michael Bay | Netflix India
Quiz

How Well Do You Know 6 Underground?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the primary motivation behind One's actions?

Cars

Cars in 6 Underground

116 cars on screen, including the 2016 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio and the 2007 Audi TT.

All 116 cars
  • 2016 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio in 6 Underground 2016 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Main role
  • 2007 Audi TT in 6 Underground 2007 Audi TT Important role
  • 2016 BMW 730Li G12 in 6 Underground 2016 BMW 730Li G12 Important role
  • 2005 BMW M5 E60 in 6 Underground 2005 BMW M5 E60 Important role
Details

6 Underground Also Known As

22 alternative titles, including “鬼影特攻:以暴制暴” and “Six Underground – Hatan az alvilágból”.

Also known as
  • 鬼影特攻:以暴制暴
  • Six Underground – Hatan az alvilágból
  • Призрачна шесторка
  • Призрачная шестёрка
  • 6 언더그라운드
  • Escuadrón 6
  • Esquadrão 6
  • מחתרת השישה
  • Six Underground - Hatan az alvilágból
  • 6 en la sombra
  • 6 underground: Tajné operace
  • หก ลับ ดับ โหด
+10 more
  • 6 из подземља
  • 6 تحت الارض
  • Slaptasis šešetukas
  • 6 din umbră
  • Đại Chiến Thế Giới Ngầm
  • ۶ نفر زیرزمین
  • 6 კანონდამრღვევი
  • Шестеро поза законом
  • 6アンダーグラウンド
  • 6 a l’ombra

Seen 6 Underground?

FAQ

6 Underground FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, budget, ratings and post-credit scenes of 6 Underground, each answered in a sentence.

How long is 6 Underground?

6 Underground runs 2 hours 8 minutes (128 minutes).

When was 6 Underground released?

6 Underground was released on December 11, 2019.

Who directed 6 Underground?

6 Underground was directed by Michael Bay.

More films by Michael Bay

Who is in the cast of 6 Underground?

6 Underground stars Dave Franco as Six, Ryan Reynolds as One and Mélanie Laurent as Two, among 16 credited actors.

What was the budget of 6 Underground?

6 Underground had a reported budget of $150 million.

How is 6 Underground rated?

6 Underground has 6.1/10 on IMDb, 36% on Rotten Tomatoes, 41 on Metacritic and 63% on TMDB.

Does 6 Underground have a post-credit scene?

Yes. 6 Underground has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

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