Kevin Costner has never been one to shy away from a trend, even when it means stepping into a genre that's already crowded. Long before he was wrangling cattle in Yellowstone, he took a stab at the action-thriller craze that swept Hollywood in the late 2000s. That film, 3 Days to Kill, is currently streaming on Starz, but its time on the platform is running out.
If you've been meaning to check it out, mark your calendars: the movie will be removed from Starz on October 31, 2026. That gives you just a few months to catch it before it vanishes into the streaming ether.
A 'Taken' Clone with a Twist
Back in 2008, Taken became an unexpected phenomenon, grossing over $225 million worldwide and turning Liam Neeson into a bona fide action hero. Naturally, every studio wanted a piece of that action, and a wave of imitators followed. Sean Penn had The Gunman, John Travolta had From Paris with Love, and Denzel Washington launched his Equalizer franchise. Costner's entry into this subgenre was 3 Days to Kill, a film that shares more than a passing resemblance to Taken—it was even produced by Luc Besson, the mastermind behind the original.
Directed by McG, the movie stars Costner as a dying CIA agent who gets one last chance to redeem himself by taking down a dangerous terrorist cell. Along the way, he has to reconnect with his estranged daughter (Hailee Steinfeld) and navigate a complicated relationship with his ex-wife (Connie Nielsen). Amber Heard co-stars as a mysterious operative who may or may not be on his side.
Mixed Reviews, Cult Following
Despite its pedigree, 3 Days to Kill didn't exactly set the world on fire. It earned around $53 million worldwide against a modest $28 million budget, making it a modest commercial success. Critics were less kind, with the film sitting at a 27% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The consensus? It's a film that "uneasily mixes technically accomplished action sequences with an underdeveloped family conflict."
Still, for fans of Costner or the action genre, it's a fun, if flawed, ride. And with its impending departure from Starz, now is the perfect time to give it a shot—especially if you're a fan of modern action flicks.
What's Next for Costner?
While 3 Days to Kill may be leaving streaming, Costner's career is far from over. He's currently pouring his energy into his ambitious Horizon Western saga, a four-part theatrical series he's partially self-funding. The first installment, Horizon: An American Saga — Part 1, hit theaters a couple of years ago to disappointing box office returns, and the sequel was shelved as a result. Costner remains determined to complete the series, but it's unclear when—or if—the remaining films will see the light of day.
In the meantime, if you're in the mood for a throwback action thriller with a dash of family drama, 3 Days to Kill is worth a watch. Just don't wait too long—October 31 is closer than you think.
