Zero

An American man referred to as #1 (Hus Miller) wakes up on a bus in Dakar, Senegal with a bomb strapped to his chest and a 10-hour countdown. He’s handed a phone and an earpiece as the voice on the phone (Willem Dafoe) claims that #1 will be set free after completing five missions.

Around the second mission, #1 crosses paths with another American, known as #2 (Cam McHarg) with a bomb strapped to his chest and an identical countdown. #1 and #2 are forced into being partners if they want to survive.

From co-writer and director Jean Luc Herbulot and co-writer and lead actor Hus Miller, Zero is a mess of a film that has trouble deciding if it wants to be an erratic comedy, an unpredictable thriller, or an action film with a message. Zero partially develops each concept into a film that is nothing more than lackluster during its best moments.

The word “comedy” should be used lightly since Zero is never amusing. A mediocre highlight is when #1 and #2 are forced to snort a bunch of cocaine because they’re trying to impress the drug lord for their current mission. It is ridiculous how the first few missions are these Jackass-related stunts or involve them putting their livelihood on the line solely to move on to the next mission.

The missions aren’t their only obstacle as they’re trying to dodge the cops and constant helicopter surveillance. According to the voice on the phone, the prisons in Senegal are “no joke.” But it’s like Zero loses its life-threatening steam halfway through and sends these bomb-wearing bros out into the world to run everyday errands.

The action in Zero isn’t great either. #2 is built out to be some badass with military training, but his action sequences are balls. His first big fight involves him fighting off two guys, but the film is noticeably edited every time #2 throws a punch. One of the missions involves #1 and #2 picking up a man named Daniel (Gary Dourdan) in a car. Dourdan fights about as well as the sloppiest of big wrestle...