All countdowns lead to Zero. In this case, a man that we only come to know as #1 (Hus Miller) wakes up on a bus in Dakar, Senegal with a bomb strapped to his chest. As the locals flee from the vehicle, #1 is handed a phone and an earpiece. A voice from the earpiece explains that #1 has 10 hours to complete 5 missions, or he will be detonated. Soon after that, the high-stakes games begin. Written by Jean Luc Herbulot and Hus Miller, Herbulot directs Zero, an action thriller that entertains but rarely captivates.

So who would have strapped a bomb to an American stockbroker, and why in what world is he in Senegal? There is no time for substantial answers. The action and the mystery are prioritized. Like Morpheus guiding Neo in The Matrix, #1 is given rapid-fire directions on navigating the maze of alleyways in downtown Dakar until he takes refuge in the backroom of a store, kindly arranged by the dictator in his ear. His first mission is to steal a phone from someone on the beach. This someone, however, is a massive prize fighter surrounded by henchmen.

And so it goes, until #1 is paired with another poor sap with a bomb strapped to his chest who is called #2 (Cam McHarg). #2 has the same set of rules. A bomb on his chest, 10 hours, 5 missions, with a countdown synchronized to #1’s clock. The film takes some shape as the two are sent on their first collaborative effort and they have to learn to work together. #1 and #2 play a sort of strongman odd couple with each having their own talents in sticky situations. I was really hoping that we would be given the chance to connect with the nameless characters here, through their ability to work together. No such luck. There is an interesting, albeit inexplicable, subplot of the two attempting to diffuse the bombs on their chests with the help of #2’s pal India (Moran Rosenblatt). It’s a logical step the two might take, but another turn that doesn’t stand up to scrutiny.

I have to hand Jean Luc Herbulot and Hus Miller the credit for choosing to shoot in an often overlooked part of the world. The way that they capture Senegal is exciting. The expanse of the city of Dakar and the people in it all took me to a place I had never seen. It was a fascinating backdrop for an action movie.

Jean Luc Herbulot does direct a snappy film, no question. Zero has the look and feel of a Guy Ritchie actioner, but it lacks the wit. We are never really allowed to warm up to anyone in the film besides India, and her screen time is a bit short. Still, Zero is ultimately an action movie for action lovers. The two leads, Miller and McHarg, carry the movie well enough with Miller giving strong John Cena energy. Herbulot slices and dices a glossy, fast-moving work with Miller as his co-scribe but the title pretty much sums up the character development.