Action, espionage, and a dash of artificial intelligence – the new Netflix blockbuster, Heart of Stone, starring Gal Gadot, is a promising adrenaline-infused escape from the ordinary.
The trailer, which premiered at Netflix’s recent TUDUM event, unveils the world of Rachel Stone, a character that is anything but one-dimensional.
Gadot, best known for her role as Wonder Woman, breaks away from the mold of superhero narratives to tread the thrilling landscape of international espionage. But there’s a twist. Her character isn’t living a double life; it’s a triple one. By day, she works for MI6, orchestrating their tech systems, a seemingly desk-bound role. Simultaneously, she is a field agent for the Charter, an enigmatic organization dedicated to maintaining global peace in an unpredictable world.
The Charter’s key instrument of influence is the Heart – a formidable piece of artificial intelligence capable of doing terrible things. For example, this AI can manipulate global markets and even cause airplanes to plummet from the sky. Imagine the pandemonium when this weapon falls into the wrong hands – specifically, those of a mysterious hacker, portrayed by Alia Bhatt.
“Heart of Stone” isn’t all about technology and hacking, though. It takes us on an action-filled journey featuring gravity-defying stunts and heart-stopping moments. The trailer showcases Gadot parachuting off the Alps, hopping off a speeding motorcycle, and diving from an airborne aircraft. It’s all in a day’s work for our protagonist. The ensemble cast of MI6 spies, handlers, and tech experts adds an exciting layer of depth and intrigue to the narrative.
Netflix has previously attempted to capture audiences with star-studded action films like Red Notice and The Gray Man, albeit with varying degrees of success. Heart of Stone is another attempt to establish a fresh action franchise, and it might be a game-changer.
Gadot’s portrayal of Rachel Stone plays to her strengths as a performer – her physicality combines well with an intense on-screen presence. Adding to this is the inclusion of Jamie Dornan, who promises to bring his distinctive energy to the film. With Tom Harper at the helm and a screenplay by Greg Rucka and Allison Schroeder, Heart of Stone has a winning team to steer it in the right direction. Harper expressed his excitement about the project, noting the freshness of having a female-led narrative in a genre dominated by male-driven franchises like James Bond and Jason Bourne.
Gadot has also emphasized the significance of a female-driven action movie, stating her desire to create a universal film, not just a “male story that’s been done many times already.” With the character of Rachel Stone, she aims to deliver a performance that aligns with this vision.
As Netflix continues to navigate the realm of action thrillers, the upcoming release of Heart of Stone on August 11 will certainly be a litmus test for the streaming giant. With a strong female lead, high-octane action sequences, and a plot that thrills with its complexity, it could mark the beginning of a successful action franchise, thus proving Netflix’s prowess in delivering memorable action movies.
In other news, Gal Gadot is still expected to return for a sequel to Red Notice. Also, in the same event, Netflix dropped new trailers for The Witcher Season 3, You Season 5, as well as the live-action adaptations of One Piece and Avatar: The Last Airbender.
