Diablo: A Gritty Revenge Thriller You Can’t Miss
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Lionsgate Releases Diablo In Theaters, On Demand, And On Digital On June 13, 2025.
Reviewed by Joy Parris-I love action movies with grit, heart, and a story that keeps you on the edge. And Diablo — starring Scott Adkins — delivers all of that and more. I can’t believe I wasn’t already familiar with Adkins. He’s not just a great actor. He’s a phenomenal martial artist. He deserves to be mentioned alongside the biggest names in the action genre.
In Diablo, Scott Adkins plays Kris Chaney. He is a man recently released from prison. Kris is trying to keep a promise to a woman. If anything happens to her, he must rescue her daughter. She is in the grip of a ruthless Colombian gangster named Vincente. Lucho Velasco plays Vincente with cold menace. Sounds simple? It’s not.
When Kris extracts Elisa (Alanna De La Rossa), things explode. Vincente is not about to let go of what’s his. He sends his most terrifying weapon, the psychotic killer El Corvo (Marko Zaror), to hunt them down. The chase becomes vicious and relentless.
What sets Diablo apart isn’t just the plot — it’s the precision and realism of the fight scenes. These aren’t over-stylized brawls. They feel raw, grounded, and painful in the best way possible. You feel every blow, every break, every breath. It’s not flashy for being cool — it’s violent with purpose and keeps the tension high. Adkins brings a quiet intensity to Kris. He draws on everything he’s learned behind bars. This helps him stay alive and keep his word.
Director Ernesto Díaz Espinoza co-wrote and edited the film. He pulls no punches in throwing us into this dangerous world. His command of pacing and tone is sharp. What stood out to me was the way he captured Colombia on screen. Shot on location, the film doesn’t shy away from the gritty reality of its setting. It also highlights the beauty and vibrancy of the country. It’s a brutal story told against a striking backdrop, and Espinoza uses that contrast to full effect.
Working with cinematographer Niccolò De La Fère, he gives us a look at Colombia that feels alive and immersive. The camera doesn’t flinch during the action, letting us stay inside the fight. But it also pulls back to let us breathe in the atmosphere, making you feel like you’re there.
The chemistry between Adkins and Alanna De La Rossa keeps the film grounded. She gives Elisa just the right amount of defiance and vulnerability. Their dynamic—protector and reluctant companion—adds an emotional layer. This layer provides the film with its heart. You care about them, making the danger even more intense.
And then there’s Marko Zaror as El Corvo. He’s terrifying. He doesn’t just show up — he invades the screen. Zaror is cold, calculated, and savage. He plays him ferocity, making every meeting with him feel like life or death. Honestly, he steals every scene he’s in.
Diablo is full of surprises and suspense, and it doesn’t let up. It’s a revenge thriller that doesn’t just rely on action — it backs it up with emotion and solid storytelling. If you’re a real fan of the genre, you’ll probably end up watching it more than once.
So yeah, this one hit all the right notes for me. Gritty, violent, emotional, and beautifully shot. Diablo is one of those intense, hurtful little films that grabs you and doesn’t let go. And I’m here for it.
Lionsgate releases DIABLO in theaters, on demand, and digital on June 13, 2025.
