Guy Ritchie's The Gentlemen may have returned to Netflix with a bang, but it's Theo James' other 2026 project that's quietly stealing the spotlight on HBO Max. Fuze, a tense action thriller co-starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Sam Worthington, has surged to the top of the streaming charts, becoming the most-watched film on HBO Max in the U.S. this September.
The film's newfound success comes on the heels of The Gentlemen Season 2, which, despite a significant drop in viewership compared to its debut season, remains a global phenomenon. The second season pulled in 6.7 million views in its first days—a 45% decline from Season 1's 12.2 million—but it's still enough to keep James' name in the spotlight. And that attention is clearly spilling over to his other work.
Fuze centers on a chilling premise: an unexploded World War II bomb is discovered at a busy London construction site, triggering a frantic evacuation that puts countless lives at risk. Directed by David Mackenzie, the film blends high-stakes tension with gritty action, but it initially underwhelmed during its brief theatrical run. Now, streaming is giving it a second life.
Critics have been largely kind to Fuze, with the film earning a "certified fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, not everyone was impressed. Ross Bonaime of Collider called it "mediocre," writing, "Fuze could've been a truly captivating, thrilling action film that knows how to handle its surprises, but instead, Mackenzie's latest is just an unfortunate bomb."
Despite the mixed reviews, audiences are clearly flocking to the film. Its rise on HBO Max is a testament to the power of streaming to revive underappreciated gems. For fans of James, who has been a frequent name in James Bond casting rumors, Fuze offers a different kind of thrill—one that's now easily accessible at home.
If you're looking for more action-packed recommendations, check out our list of crime dramas to binge after The Gentlemen, or dive into Netflix's new action king. And for those curious about the viewership dip, we've broken down why Season 2 saw a drop.
As Fuze continues to dominate HBO Max, it's clear that Theo James has found a winning formula—whether he's running a drug empire or defusing a bomb. Stay tuned for more updates on this streaming sensation.
