Diablo (2025 film)

Diablo is a 2025 action thriller film directed by Ernesto Díaz Espinoza, written by Mat Sansom and starring Scott Adkins, Marko Zaror and Alana De La Rossa.

The film was released in select theaters, video on demand, and digital platforms on June 13, 2025.

It was a streaming hit in the US,^[2][3] reaching #3 on Amazon Prime's top ten.^[4][5][6]

It also proved to be a top ten streaming success in both the UK and Brazil^[7], reaching #7 on Rakuten TV in the UK^[8] and #3 on Globoplay^[9], Brazil's most popular streaming service^[10].

When an ex-con fulfils a promise by kidnapping the daughter of a dangerous gangster, he is pursued by both the gangster and a psychopathic hit-man with his own mysterious agenda.

Diablo was reported to be in pre-production stages in May 2023.^[11] with Scott Adkins and Marko Zaror cast in the lead roles.^[12] Also cast were Colombian actors Alana De La Rossa, Lucho Velasco and Diana Hoyos.^[13]

Principal photography began on February 13, 2024 in Colombia.^[14] Filming had wrapped by March 9, 2024.

In May 2024, Grindstone Entertainment Group acquired North American distribution rights for the film.^[11][13] The film was released in select theaters, video on demand, and digital platforms on June 13, 2025.^[15]

On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, 71% of 17 critics' reviews are positive.^[16]

Both The Action Elite^[17] and Action-Flix^[18] gave it a 4/5 rating and said it 'exceeds all expectations' and is a 'masterclass in Martial Arts action cinema' respectively.

Keith-Loves-Movies rated it at 88% and praised the story, action, soundtrack and performance's, regarding it as Espinoza's best film to date.^[19]

Kung-Fu Kingdom gave it a 9/10 rating and said it was 'a home run of the sort that breaks the bat into a million pieces'.^[20]

411 MANIA scored it a perfect 10 describing it as a 'modern masterpiece' and an 'absolute must see'.^[21]

Fandor rated it as the 'Best action film of 2025' and said it had a 'pretty great, emotional story'.^[22]

Screen Anarchy called it 'a very satisfying clash of two international indie action titans'.^[23]

JoBlo regarded it as 'a unique story of revenge' that 'actually has some heart and humor' and provides Adkins with a role that is 'more nuanced than the stereotypical action lead'.^[24]

Film International stated that it was 'A well made low-budget film with characters that escape one-dimensional stereotyping'^[25]

The Last Thing I See said 'It delivers the goods' and is 'Epic as all hell'.^[26]

Movies films and flix called it 'A pretty fun and pretty over-the-top Scott Adkins action romp'.^[27]

Cineparenting said 'the movie is a relentless, blood-soaked thrill ride packed with heart-pounding martial arts combat, shocking twists, and emotional depth'. Also, that it 'mixes explosive fight sequences with moments of surprising emotional weight' and 'the screenplay keeps viewers guessing until the final moments'.^[28]

Crooked-Marquee stated 'Espinoza keeps the crisp, kinetic action moving from the first moment to the last'.^[29]

We-Live-Entertainment gave it a 7/10 rating and said 'Zaror is a beast, and it’s fun watching him tear his way through basically everything in his attempts to reach his targets. Meanwhile, Adkins is selling his role as a figure from a past that this kidnapped girl never knew. Making all this come together in thrilling ways makes the action land with even greater impact. Yes, there’s still plenty of silliness here, but it’s silliness that pays off with action aplomb'.^[30]

But-Why-Tho gave it a 7/10 and said Diablo is what you want your actioner to be. It’s loud, it doesn’t take itself too seriously, and its hero and villain work perfectly off each other.^[31]

Fortress-Of-Solitude said 'Diablo sizzles with outstanding action' and 'It’s fist-pumping action to the core, and everyone involved in Diablo knows what the viewer is here for, dialing it up to the max. Honestly, don’t be surprised if this becomes your next Friday night delight'.^[32]

The Bulwark said 'Diablo is a masterpiece of a certain sort of movie—the low-budget, high-octane, straight-to-video martial arts action flick' and that 'it kicks ass' and 'has the best fight choreography you’ll see in a movie this year'^[33]

The Guardian provided a mixed review, stating: 'It's deranged antagonist might be an Anton Chigurh rip-off, but some fantastically flailing fight scenes almost lift this otherwise humdrum action romp'^[34]

In-Review-Online stated: 'No offense to Mission: Impossible or Ballerina or whatever other bajillion-dollar project Hollywood wants to pump out, but Diablo has already claimed the title of action film of the year. This is the pure, uncut stuff'.^[35]

GAZETTELY said 'Adkins portrays Kris Chaney not as an indestructible force, but as a man whose mileage is starting to show. After a fight, you see the exhaustion set in; his power is undeniable, but it comes at a cost, reflecting a welcome maturity in the action hero archetype' and that 'Alana De La Rossa’s Elisa is a revelation. She fiercely rejects the role of a passive victim, meeting her kidnapper with defiance and a few well-aimed kicks of her own. Her journey from resistance to understanding forms the film’s emotional bedrock'.^[36]

Outlaw Vern called it 'An entertaining movie from top to bottom'.^[37]

Ain't It Cool News stated that 'Diablo delivers on every front. The fight scenes, choreographed by Zaror, are intense and deftly photographed. The gunplay is intense, the acting top tier, and the film never lags'.^[38]

IGN opined that 'There's something awesome about how the personal stakes (which only grow more personal as Diablo goes on) of the story, free Adkins to modulate his action-man brawniness for something slightly more restrained and mature' and 'it gives him a chance to display the many dimensions of his onscreen prowess, revealing hints of regret, guilt, and even more subtly, the wear and tear of age. Adkins still piles up KO after KO in Diablo, but after years of cutting through bad guys like a finely honed blade, it’s nice to see him portray the rust that’s built up under the sheath'.^[39]

CINAPSE said 'Diablo thrives on finding ways to make itself stand out with solid essential bones and successful theatrical flare harkening back to the earliest days of cinema'.^[40]

Eastern Film Fans said 'Believe the hype, Action and Martial Arts fans rejoice, we have a bona fide cult classic in the making' and 'Diablo is, so far, our action film of the year, it's bold, brash and beautifully orchestrated to provide action film fans with all the entertainment they need'.^[41]

Bulletproof Action said 'Diablo is the total package, a compelling story that is well structured and executed with Adkins and Zaror delivering the best acting performances of their careers'.^[42]

The New York Times recommended it as one of their top five action movies to stream.^[43]

• Diablo at IMDb