Movie Profile: RECOIL (2011)
| Attribute | Details |
| Title | Recoil |
| Release Date | March 6, 2012 (Direct-to-Video/DVD USA) |
| Director | Terry Miles |
| Writer | John Sullivan |
| Genre | Action, Crime, Thriller, Vigilante |
| Runtime | 94 minutes |
| Production Co. | Caliber Media Company, Nasser Group North |
| Lead Cast |
• Steve Austin (Ryan Varrett) • Danny Trejo (Drayke Salgado) • Serinda Swan (Darcy) • Lochlyn Munro (Agent Ronny “Elvis” Fitzpatrick) |
Trailer
Plot Overview
Ryan Varrett (Steve Austin) is a former Dallas police detective whose life was utterly destroyed when a ruthless criminal gang brutally murdered his wife and young son. Mentally broken and consumed by a burning desire for vengeance, Varrett quits the police force and transforms into a cold-blooded vigilante, traveling across the United States to track down and eliminate violent criminals who escaped the legal system.
His crusade brings him to the small, isolated town of Hope, Washington. The town is completely gripped by fear, run by a vicious, highly organized outlaw motorcycle club known as the “The Circle.” The gang is led by the sadistic and merciless Drayke Salgado (Danny Trejo), a man responsible for a long trail of blood, drugs, and human trafficking.
When Varrett steps in to protect a local motel owner named Darcy (Serinda Swan) from the bikers, he draws the full fury of Drayke and his entire gang. As local law enforcement stands by, helpless and corrupted, Varrett wages a brutal, one-man war against the motorcycle club, turning the small town into an absolute combat zone to deliver his own uncompromising brand of justice.
Highlights & Action Style
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The Ultimate Heavyweight Clash: The main selling point of the film is the explosive, physical showdown between two of cinema’s most recognizable modern tough guys—WWE Hall of Famer Steve Austin and B-movie icon Danny Trejo.
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Old-School Vigilante Grit: The movie heavily channels the spirit of classic 1970s and 80s vigilante action cinema, drawing strong comparisons to films like Death Wish and Walking Tall. It strips away complex plots in favor of raw, hard-hitting, grounded fight choreography, heavy gunfire, and massive explosions.
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Austin’s Action Era: Recoil stands out as one of the definitive projects from Steve Austin’s prolific direct-to-video action star era following his retirement from professional wrestling, perfectly capitalizing on his stoic, no-nonsense “Texas Rattlesnake” persona.