Burn Out (film)

Gaumont

Industry	Film production and distribution
Founded	1895
Headquarters	Paris , France
Products	Films
Website	www.gaumont.fr

Burn Out is a 2017 action thriller film both written and directed by Yann Gozlan, adapted from Jérémie Guez's 2012 novel Balancé dans les cordes, featuring François Civil in the lead role. This France-Belgium collaborative production debuted at Italy's Noir in Festival on 5 December 2017, followed by its theatrical release in France through Gaumont on 3 January 2018. A Spanish adaptation titled Centauro was later launched by Netflix in 2022.

Plot

Tony Rodrigues is an aspiring professional motorcycle racer who divides his time between working as a forklift driver and raising his son Sofiane, while his former partner Leyla searches for employment. During a visit to Leyla, Tony confronts a gypsy gang led by Jordan and discovers Leyla severely beaten with her home ransacked. Leyla had been concealing drugs for Jordan, but her ex-boyfriend absconded with the stash. To assist her, Tony enlists the help of Moussa, his childhood friend and leader of a local street gang, to negotiate with Jordan regarding Leyla’s outstanding debt.

Jordan dismisses Tony’s attempt at negotiation; however, Miguel, Jordan’s superior, proposes a deal: Tony must deliver drugs via motorcycle within strict time constraints for two months to settle the debt. This illicit side work conflicts with Tony’s regular job and jeopardizes his chance to join the professional racing team, resulting in setbacks in both areas. After fulfilling the delivery terms, Jordan compels Tony into becoming a permanent drug courier. In retaliation, Tony kills Jordan using his helmet.

Feeling deceived, Tony collaborates with Moussa to dispose of Jordan’s body and offers Moussa Miguel’s resources in exchange for eliminating Miguel. Tony deliberately allows himself to be captured so Moussa can track Miguel’s movements. Moussa’s pursuit is hindered by traffic issues, and Miguel uncovers that Tony lied about Jordan’s demise. Following an unsuccessful escape attempt, Moussa rescues Tony and kills Miguel. After these events, Tony returns to his warehouse position but yearns for excitement; he concludes by instigating a police chase on his motorcycle.

Cast

• François Civil as Tony Rodrigues
• Olivier Rabourdin as Miguel
• Manon Azem as Leyla
• as Jordan
• Narcisse Mame as Moussa
• Naël Rabia as Sofiane
• Sam Louwyck as Mike Paterson
• Luc Schwarz as Mario
• Mario Magalhaes as Serge
• Marc-Antoine Duquenne as Steve
• Ismaëla Koita as Kenji
• Kaourou Camara as Max
• Denis Leluc as Tamazo
• Walid Afkir as Farid
• Dimitri Boetto as Bellata

Release

Burn Out had its competitive premiere at the Noir in Festival held in Milan on 5 December 2017 and was subsequently released in cinemas across France on 3 January 2018. The film made its North American debut at the COLCOA French Film Festival in Los Angeles on 27 April 2018.

Box office

At the French box office, Burn Out earned a total of $1,144,435.

Critical reception

Charles Bramesco from Vulture commended the film's dynamic action sequences for their "propulsive energy," though he remarked that it "runs out of fuel" due to its conventional storyline. David Duprey of That Moment In characterized the movie as "competently made and adrenaline-stomping" but noted it "lacks innovation." Similarly, Jonathon Wilson of Ready Steady Cut acknowledged its suspenseful tension and action despite limited originality.

Streaming and home media distribution

Netflix obtained exclusive global streaming rights, with the exception of France, and launched Burn Out as a Netflix original in the U.S. on March 15, 2019.