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Action thriller

Section Eight (2022): Cast, Ratings, Plot & Where to Watch

Section Eight (2022) movie poster

Section Eight is a 2022 action thriller directed by Christian Sesma, starring Mickey Rourke as Earl Atherton, Ryan Kwanten and Dolph Lundgren. It runs 1 hour 38 minutes and was made on a reported $5 million budget. Critics gave it 33% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 4.3/10. Stream it on AMC Plus and AMC+, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
4.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
33%
Echo Score
38
budget
$5M
Section Eight (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 38m (98 min)
Director
Christian Sesma
Genres
Action , Thriller
Original language
English
Budget
$5M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Section Eight About?

The premise of Section Eight without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Haunted by the tragic loss of his family, a war hero seeks retribution for their violent deaths. Imprisoned and facing a life sentence, he’s offered a chance at freedom by a shadowy organization. The deal: undertake a secret mission. As he navigates the dangerous assignment, he uncovers a complex conspiracy that challenges his sense of justice and forces him to confront difficult moral choices.

Section Eight Themes & Keywords

· 8 tags
  • one person army action
  • agency
  • prison
  • villainess
  • family relationships
  • murder
  • soldier
  • one man army
Where to watch

Where to Watch Section Eight

Stream it on AMC Plus and AMC+, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Section Eight Cast & Characters

Mickey Rourke leads the cast as Earl Atherton, with Ryan Kwanten as Jake Atherton and Dolph Lundgren as Tom Mason. Directed by Christian Sesma; 11 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Section Eight

· 7 more
Ratings

Section Eight Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Section Eight 33% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 4.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 38/100, strongest in art & craft (45) and weakest in rewatch factor (30).

38 /100

Section Eight Echo Score Breakdown

Section Eight delivers a serviceable but largely unremarkable action experience that struggles to rise above its low‑budget constraints. Critics and viewers note uneven direction, a predictable plot, and uneven performances, while occasional praise is limited to brief fight sequences and isolated moments of decent cinematography. The film’s reliance on genre clichés and rushed pacing diminishes its lasting appeal, resulting in a viewing that feels disposable for most audiences.

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

  • Art & Craft 45

    In terms of art and craft, the film shows mixed results. The cinematography receives occasional commendation for its visual clarity, yet direction and editing are frequently described as amateur and disjointed. Production design is unremarkable, reflecting the modest budget. These contrasting elements lead to a lukewarm overall technical impression.

  • Character & Emotion 40

    Character and emotion scoring is generally low, with many reviewers highlighting wooden performances and shallow character development. Some actors, such as Scott Adkins and Ryan Kwanten, receive brief praise for their effort, but overall acting is deemed underutilized and lacking chemistry. The limited emotional resonance contributes to a weak character assessment.

  • Story & Flow 35

    Story and flow are criticized for incoherence and rushed pacing. Reviewers point to a predictable, cliché‑laden script that fails to maintain engagement, describing the narrative as disjointed and lacking clear direction. A few mentions of unexpected twists provide minor relief, but the prevailing sentiment is that the plot offers little originality or satisfaction.

  • Sensory Experience 45

    Sensory experience receives mixed feedback. While some viewers note that the cinematography is pleasant, sound design is often labeled as subpar, with gun effects described as unrealistic. Action choreography is deemed adequate but not exceptional, and the overall visual style lacks cohesion. These factors result in a modest sensory rating.

  • Rewatch Factor 30

    Rewatch factor is low, as the film is frequently called forgettable and disposable. Although a handful of action fans may appreciate the fight scenes, the pervasive issues with plot, acting, and technical execution diminish its replay value. Consequently, the movie offers limited incentive for subsequent viewings.

Plot

Section Eight Plot Summary

What happens in Section Eight from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the heart of the US military campaign in Afghanistan, a Marine platoon finds itself under siege by relentless Taliban forces. The brutal ambush decimates their ranks, leaving behind only two survivors: Jake Atherton and his commanding officer, Captain Tom Mason. The psychological scars from that harrowing day linger deeply within Jake as he struggles to mend his life back in the States. His routine becomes a source of comfort as he takes up a job as a mechanic at Earl’s auto-shop, a place run by a former gang member who has transformed his life into one of entrepreneurship.

Full summary

The whole story of Section Eight, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Section Eight Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Section Eight.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Section Eight?

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 event traumatizes Jake Atherton?

Details

Section Eight Also Known As

15 alternative titles, including “Восьмой отдел” and “A 8-as részleg”.

Also known as
  • Восьмой отдел
  • A 8-as részleg
  • 暗影特工
  • Sekcja 8
  • 섹션 8 - 비밀 작전
  • Sesión 8
  • איזור 8
  • Oddelek 8
  • Seção 8 – Organização Secreta
  • セクション8 リベンジ・ミッション
  • Восьмий відділ
  • Осми отдел
+3 more
  • เซ็คชั่น 8 ภารกิจลับดับแค้น
  • 8. Kısım
  • Sezione 8

Seen Section Eight?

FAQ

Section Eight FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, budget, ratings and post-credit scenes of Section Eight, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Section Eight?

Section Eight runs 1 hour 38 minutes (98 minutes).

When was Section Eight released?

Section Eight was released on September 23, 2022.

Who directed Section Eight?

Section Eight was directed by Christian Sesma.

More films by Christian Sesma

Who is in the cast of Section Eight?

Section Eight stars Mickey Rourke as Earl Atherton, Ryan Kwanten as Jake Atherton and Dolph Lundgren as Tom Mason, among 11 credited actors.

Where can I watch Section Eight?

In the US, Section Eight is streaming on AMC Plus, AMC+ and Hoopla and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

What was the budget of Section Eight?

Section Eight had a reported budget of $5 million.

How is Section Eight rated?

Section Eight has 4.3/10 on IMDb, 33% on Rotten Tomatoes, 62% on TMDB and 2.5/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Section Eight have a post-credit scene?

No. Section Eight has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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