Henry Cavill is having a busy 2026, with major projects like Highlander and Voltron on the horizon. But right now, all eyes are on his latest action thriller, In the Grey, which finally hit theaters after a long wait. The film, directed by Guy Ritchie and co-starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Eiza González, has landed with a mixed critical reception that has fans wondering: is it any good?
According to Rotten Tomatoes, In the Grey currently sits at a 54% critics' score, making it the lowest-rated collaboration between Cavill and Ritchie. Their previous team-ups, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, both earned 68% on the Tomatometer. The new film's score places it in the "rotten" category, but audience reactions may tell a different story.
What the Critics Are Saying
Reviews for In the Grey are sharply divided. Collider's Robert Brian Taylor gave it a harsh 4/10, praising the chemistry between Cavill and Gyllenhaal but criticizing the "undercooked" characters and "abrupt" ending. On the other end, Screen Rant awarded the film a 7/10, highlighting the strong performances from the core trio of Cavill, Gyllenhaal, and González. MovieWeb landed in the middle with a 5/10, noting that the stars elevate the material above typical Ritchie tropes.
This split suggests that In the Grey may be a film that works better as pure entertainment than as a character-driven thriller. If you're looking for underrated thrillers that deliver on action, this might still be worth a watch.
What Is In the Grey About?
The film follows a covert team of high-level operatives who are called out of the shadows when a ruthless despot steals a billion-dollar fortune. Cavill plays Sid, Gyllenhaal is Bronco, and González portrays Rachel—a trio that only suits up when the mission is worth their valuable time. Together, they must plan a heist that would be a death mission for anyone else. The cast also includes Rosamund Pike, known for her role in The Wheel of Time.
For fans of high-stakes action, In the Grey offers plenty of adrenaline-pumping sequences. But if you're after deep character development, you might be left wanting. The film's premise is classic Ritchie: stylish, fast-paced, and brimming with machismo.
Cavill's Busy Year Ahead
While In the Grey may not be a critical darling, Cavill has plenty of other projects to look forward to. He's currently filming the Highlander reboot, directed by Chad Stahelski (John Wick), with Russell Crowe and Dave Bautista co-starring. He's also set to star in Voltron, a big-budget adaptation that was recently announced to be heading straight to Prime Video instead of theaters—a move that disappointed many fans.
For those who enjoy heart-pounding realism in action movies, Cavill's upcoming slate promises plenty of excitement. But for now, In the Grey offers a mixed bag that may appeal more to die-hard fans of the star or director than to casual viewers.
Ultimately, whether In the Grey is worth your time depends on what you're looking for. If you want a slick, star-driven action heist with some fun moments, it delivers. If you're hoping for a tightly plotted thriller with memorable characters, you might want to look elsewhere.
