Anna Daniels
Jamie Foxx has taken on the role of a mercenary cult leader, and it seems that streaming platforms are starting to back off.
Indeed, you read that right: In Tin Soldier, Foxx portrays “The Bokushi,” a captivating religious figure residing in a heavily fortified compound with a group of armed military veterans. He’s created his own religion and an army, but it seems like his movie may not fare well on streaming. Directed by Brad Furman (The Lincoln Lawyer, Runner Runner), the UK trailer has just been released, resembling a mashup of Call of Duty and an old episode of Criminal Minds. The U.S. audience will have to wait, as it’s set to premiere directly on Prime Video in the UK on July 23, 2025.
What’s the Situation?
Let’s unpack this:
- Robert De Niro portrays the government’s desperate troubleshooter.
- Jamie Foxx stars as the unstable cult leader.
- Scott Eastwood plays the former follower turned informant.
- John Leguizamo and Rita Ora add to the ensemble like extra characters in an unwanted game.
The storyline? After several unsuccessful attempts to infiltrate The Bokushi’s stronghold, De Niro’s agent (Emmanuel Ashburn) brings in Nash Cavanaugh (Eastwood)—a former disciple with a grudge and a troubled background. Expect themes of lost love, PTSD, loads of shouting, and tactical gear. Imagine The Rock meets Midsommar—but with less intellect and more guns.
The stark reality: Tin Soldier boasts an impressive cast yet carries the visual style of a low-budget rental. It seems like it should be high-end but instead hits the VOD scene like an overlooked Neeson knockoff.
The Truth: What Happened Here?
This isn’t exactly a groundbreaking development. Hollywood has long entertained the notion of A-list stars settling for B-tier projects, especially in the streaming era. Recall The Virtuoso (2021), featuring Anthony Hopkins in a dull film that made beige thrilling by comparison. Or Zero Contact (2022), where Hopkins once again mechanically navigated a crypto-themed thriller that no one cared to see?
However, Tin Soldier feels distinct—not just because of its cast, but due to its apparent urgency. A cult made up of jaded U.S. veterans? That’s alarmingly close to current events. The trailer even touches on trauma, identity, and feelings of betrayal. Yet it gets buried beneath so much genre cliché that it forfeits its potential impact. Think of a sermon encased in explosives, thrown into a Michael Bay outtake.
It’s not like the actors aren’t giving it their all. Foxx appears alarmingly deranged, channeling vibes reminiscent of Jim Jones mixed with a Joker costume. De Niro employs his weary whisper act. Unfortunately, the overall effect is like a Bad ChatGPT script for a True Detective spin-off after a binge-watch of John Wick.
Choose Your Stance
Will you watch this or toss away $20? No pressure. (…Alright, a bit of pressure.)
This could morph into a cult favorite. Or just fade away into obscurity. Regardless, Tin Soldier is set to debut on Prime Video in the UK on July 23, 2025, without any hint of a U.S. release date.
But if Foxx’s Bokushi shows up in your area with pamphlets and a loudspeaker? Maybe consider lending an ear.
Tin Soldier |2025|@PrimeVideoUK Trailer|Jamie Foxx, Scott Eastwood, Robert De Niro Action-Thriller
Tin Soldier is streaming on @PrimeVideoUK 23 July. Jamie Foxx will put you under his spell in this cult compound extraction thriller. The Bokushi preaches to hundreds of war veterans, drawn to the promise of protection and purpose under him. Surrounded by his devout military-trained followers, he has built an impenetrable fortress and amassed an arsenal of weapons.
