72 Hours (2024) is a straightforward action-thriller directed by Christian Sesma, starring Cam Gigandet and Sam Trammell. The film leans heavily into a familiar “ticking clock” premise, delivering solid, if unoriginal, escapist entertainment.

The plot centers on estranged brothers Sebastian (Trammell), an FBI agent, and Alex (Gigandet), an international money launderer. Their family feud is abruptly put aside when Alex’s daughter is kidnapped by the ruthless crime lord Tye Revello. The brothers are given an impossible ultimatum: retrieve a vital hard drive and turn themselves over within 72 hours, or the girl dies.

The movie’s biggest strength is its pace. The 72-hour deadline ensures the action is relentless, pushing the narrative forward with little downtime. Director Sesma manages to choreograph some genuinely entertaining sequences, particularly a well-executed final action scene set in an industrial complex, offering the kind of visceral thrills expected from the genre.

While the film is fun and fast-paced, critics noted that the script offers little in the way of surprise. The narrative is bland and predictable, relying on overused action tropes. The core conflict between the straight-laced FBI agent and his criminal brother is a worn-out trope, yet Gigandet and Trammell manage to carry the emotional weight of their fractured relationship just enough to make you invest in their mission.

Supporting performances, particularly from the mercenaries like Nicky Whelan and Vernon Davis, are a welcome addition and often provide some of the film’s high points. 72 Hours is not a memorable, landmark action film, but it’s far from unwatchable. It’s best described as solid, entertaining fare—a movie that does enough right to earn a mild recommendation for fans looking for a quick, adrenaline-fueled fix on a Friday night.