Michael Bay’s Forgotten “Fast-Paced” Action Epic Is Making a Comeback on Streaming

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Michael Bay is known for his action-packed movies, especially the explosions! Films like Transformers, The Island, and Bad Boys are all popular choices, with the last two also adding in some science fiction elements. But a lesser-known war movie he directed is currently gaining attention on streaming services, nine years after its original release. The film boasts a strong cast, including Daven Denman, James Badge Dale, Pablo Schreiber, Dominic Fumusa, and John Krasinski. It’s 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi.

The movie 13 Hours is currently available on Paramount+ and is gaining popularity on the platform’s streaming charts. It’s currently the fourth most popular movie there, following Vicious, Top Gun: Maverick starring Tom Cruise, and the action-comedy Novacaine. While released in 2016, 13 Hours didn’t receive as much attention as some of Michael Bay’s larger, more well-known films.

This movie tells the true story of the 2012 attack on the American diplomatic compound and CIA base in Libya, and the brave soldiers who defended it. Michael Bay directed the film, which was written by Chuck Hogan and based on a book by Mitchell Zuckoff. Here’s a brief overview of the plot:

On September 11, 2012, Islamic militants attacked the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, resulting in the deaths of Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and Foreign Service officer Sean Smith. A team of six former soldiers, known as the Annex Security Team (including James Badge Dale, John Krasinski, and Max Martini), was stationed nearby and tasked with protecting people working in the city. As the attack continued, these men fought bravely to rescue the remaining Americans.

’13 Hours’ Divided Audiences and Critics


Paramount Pictures

It’s common for critics and general audiences to disagree about movies, but 13 Hours caused a particularly sharp divide. Critics, perhaps expecting the usual style from director Michael Bay, gave it a lukewarm 51% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with many writing negative reviews. However, viewers loved the film, giving it a strong 83% rating based on over 25,000 votes on the same site.

Many viewers praised ’13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi’ as a highly underrated film. People consistently highlighted its fast pace, impressive special effects and sound design, and strong performances from the cast. The story, told from the point of view of the security team, is gripping and thought-provoking, even challenging viewers’ perspectives. Numerous five-star ratings reflect the overall positive reception, with one viewer calling the acting phenomenal and the action intensely captivating.

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2025-10-28 16:18