Dive into our spoiler-free review of Netflix’s Last Bullet—the explosive conclusion to the Lost Bullet trilogy. Does it stick the landing? Find out here!
Last Bullet: High-Octane Action Meets Predictable Plotting
Netflix’s Lost Bullet trilogy wraps with Last Bullet, a pedal-to-the-metal French cop thriller that doubles down on vehicular mayhem but struggles to escape the shadow of its predecessors. Directed by Guillaume Pierret and starring Alban Lenoir, this threequel delivers the adrenaline-pumping stunts fans crave but feels more like a victory lap than a fresh chapter.
Plot & Performances: Frenemies on the Run
Picking up after Lost Bullet 2, ex-cop-turned-fugitive Areski (Nicolas Duvauchelle) hides in Germany, running drugs under a new identity—until his past drags him back to France. Meanwhile, righteous mechanic-turned-cop Lino (Alban Lenoir) hunts corrupt narcotics chief Resz (Gérard Lanvin), whose promotion hinges on silencing loose ends.
The reluctant alliance between Lino and Areski crackles with tension, though their rivalry lacks depth. Lenoir’s stoic charisma anchors the chaos, while Duvauchelle steals scenes as the roguish antihero. Sadly, Lanvin’s Resz is a forgettable villain, his cartoonish empire paling next to the series’ earlier grit.
Action First, Story Second
Last Bullet shines in its set pieces:
- Helicopter vs. Tow Truck: A ludicrous but thrilling climax.
- Car Chases: Precision-engineered chaos with fetishistic close-ups of engines and crashes.
- Bus Brawl: A shaky-cam misfire amid otherwise polished stuntwork.
The plot? A thin scaffold for destruction. Twists are recycled, and emotional beats—like Areski’s abandoned lover Mathilde (Julia Engelbrecht)—feel tacked on. Yet Pierret’s breakneck pacing ensures you’re rarely bored.
Why It Works (And Doesn’t)
Pros:
- Relentless, inventive stunts (cars flip, crash, explode).
- Lenoir and Duvauchelle’s magnetic chemistry.
- No pretensions—just pure, unfiltered action.
Cons:
- Underdeveloped villains and forgettable side plots.
- Formulaic storytelling (corrupt cops, redemption arcs).
- Shallow character depth compared to the first film.
How Does It Stack Up?
While Last Bullet can’t match the raw novelty of 2020’s Lost Bullet, it outpaces Netflix’s other French thrillers (AKA, Squad 36). The trilogy’s strength lies in its simplicity: no moral ambiguity, just cops vs. crooks and metal vs. asphalt.
Final Verdict: A Satisfying (If Safe) Sendoff
Last Bullet doesn’t reinvent the wheel—it burns rubber on it. Fans of the franchise will relish the explosive finale, but newcomers should start with the first film. If Netflix greenlights a fourth installment, here’s hoping Areski takes the wheel.