Sylvester Stallone has long been a titan of action cinema, but in recent years, he's shown a willingness to explore new territory. His role as Dwight 'The General' Manfredi in the hit series Tulsa King is a prime example—a character that might not have fit the younger Stallone but now feels tailor-made. The Taylor Sheridan-created crime drama has been a massive success on Paramount+, with four seasons already aired and a fifth on the way. While fans eagerly await the next installment, Stallone continues to keep busy with other projects, including the action thriller Alarum.
Alarum, which also stars Scott Eastwood, Willa Fitzgerald, and Mike Colter, was released in 2025 to little fanfare. Despite a $20 million budget, the film barely made a dent at the box office, and critics were almost universally unimpressed—it currently holds a rare 0% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 22 reviews. Yet, a year later, the film has found a second life on streaming. It's now available on Hulu and Starz in the U.S., and surprisingly, it has surged into the Prime Video top 10 in more than 15 countries worldwide. This unexpected streaming success is a testament to Stallone's enduring appeal and the appetite for no-nonsense action flicks.
What Is Alarum About?
Directed by Michael Polish and written by Alexander Vesha, Alarum follows Joe (Scott Eastwood) and Lara (Willa Fitzgerald), two married spies who have gone off the grid. Their quiet retreat at a winter resort is shattered when they're suspected of joining a rogue spy team known as ALARUM. Stallone plays a key role in the chaos that ensues, with Mike Colter as Orlin, a character who adds another layer of intrigue. The film's premise is classic action-thriller fare, and while critics may have panned it, audiences seem to be enjoying the ride—it holds a 14% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, which, while not stellar, shows some viewers found merit in it.
For fans of Stallone, Alarum offers a chance to see the veteran star in a familiar yet entertaining setting. It's not trying to reinvent the wheel, but it delivers the kind of high-octane, espionage-laced storytelling that has made him a household name. If you're in the mood for a straightforward action movie with a solid cast, Alarum might be worth a watch.
Stallone's Streaming Dominance
Stallone's streaming success isn't limited to Alarum. His show Tulsa King continues to be a major draw for Paramount+, and the actor has also been in the news for his response to nepotism critics regarding his daughter's expanded role in the series. Meanwhile, Prime Video has been a hotbed for action stars lately—Keanu Reeves' John Wick 4 dominated the platform earlier this year, and Henry Cavill's early work is also finding new audiences there. It seems that streaming services are becoming the new home for both classic and underappreciated action films.
If you're looking for more to watch on Prime Video this month, check out our list of the best movies to stream before October ends. And for those who prefer series, our binge picks for this week have you covered.
As for Stallone, he shows no signs of slowing down. With Tulsa King Season 5 on the horizon and more film projects in the pipeline, the action legend continues to prove that his appeal spans generations. Whether he's commanding the screen in a gritty crime drama or a high-stakes spy thriller, audiences are clearly still hungry for what he brings. Alarum may not be a critical darling, but its streaming success is a reminder that sometimes, the audience's opinion matters more than the critics'.
