Jason Statham’s Action Thriller ‘Death Race’ Is Streaming on Peacock This March

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Jason Statham’s high-octane action film, similar in style to Mad Max, is moving to a new streaming platform. There’s usually a difference in opinion between critics and audiences when it comes to Statham’s movies. Critics often expect a cinematic masterpiece, and are let down when the film doesn’t reach that level. However, audiences generally know what to expect: Statham’s signature gruff voice, intense fight scenes, his bald head, and the occasional corny line. In 2008, he released a particularly controversial action thriller. Though critics didn’t love it, the movie has since become a favorite among viewers and gained a cult following.

I really thought combining Jason Statham’s tough-guy persona with the high-octane world of Mad Max would be amazing, and Death Race seemed like it had all the ingredients for a hit. Sadly, it just didn’t quite work for me. It’s based on the cult classic Death Race 2000 and an older story, but this version feels much grimmer than you’d expect, even for a movie with ‘death’ in the title! The story follows Jensen Ames (played by Statham), who gets a chance to earn his freedom by competing in a brutal, televised race where drivers battle it out in armored cars on a specially designed track – last man standing wins. But, naturally, things aren’t what they appear to be in this dark and twisted competition.

Before becoming widely known for the Resident Evil movies, Paul W.S. Anderson directed Death Race. The film featured Jason Statham, along with Natalie Martinez, Joan Allen, Ian McShane, and Tyrese Gibson, and was initially predicted to be a box office hit. Unfortunately, mixed reviews—it received a 41% rating on Rotten Tomatoes—led to disappointing financial results, with the movie earning just over $75 million globally.

The Critics Are Wrong About ‘Death Race’

Okay, let’s be real – if you’re walking into Death Race hoping for a cinematic masterpiece like Citizen Kane, you’re going to be let down. Though, honestly, Citizen Kane would’ve been amazing with Jason Statham as Kane and the mystery unfolding with a high-octane car chase! But here’s the thing – despite not being a huge hit when it first came out, Death Race has really gained a following over the years. People actually like it! It’s got a solid 60% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, and most recent reviews give it at least three stars – which means it’s a fun ride!

Yes, the movie Death Race is definitely over-the-top – and that’s the point! While the story has some serious, thrilling moments, the action is where it really shines, fully embracing the film’s wild concept. Love him or hate him, Paul W.S. Anderson clearly knows how to stage an action sequence.

‘Death Race’ Has a Far Worse Sequel


Universal Pictures 

While the original Death Race gained a dedicated following, its 2010 sequel was a commercial and critical failure. Death Race 2 featured Luke Gross alongside returning stars Danny Trejo, Ving Rhames, and new additions Sean Bean and Lauren Cohan. Roel Reine took over as director, but the film didn’t resonate with audiences, earning only $8.39 million in domestic video sales and a very poor 17% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

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2026-02-25 17:49