Why Sylvester Stallone Should Reprise His Iconic Character After Two Action Movies Bombed with 0% Ratings

Warning: Spoilers for Alarum below! Sylvester Stallone’s recent film, Alarum, has landed with a disappointing 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, prompting speculation about a potential return to more established franchises for the beloved action star. Fans of Stallone’s high-octane films have faced a drought of quality entertainment over the past decade, with Escape Plan being his last notable action film. Since then, Stallone’s output has primarily included a series of lackluster performances, with recent flops like Expendables 4, which suffered critical and commercial failure in 2023, and the forgettable superhero flick Samaritan.

Following Escape Plan, Stallone’s subsequent projects, including the sequels and the straight-to-video thriller Backtrace, have largely disappointed critics. Notably, his appearances in ensemble films such as Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 and The Suicide Squad added little to his credibility as a headlining action star, as he played only minor roles. Despite potential sequel setups in Alarum, its poor critical reception casts doubt on the likelihood of further installments.

Sylvester Stallone’s Alarum and Armor Both Scored 0% on Rotten Tomatoes

Stallone’s Recent Action Films Rank Among His Lowest

Sylvester Stallone and Scott Eastwood hold shotguns in Alarum

Although Stallone tries to inject some fun into Alarum, the film itself is hampered by uninspired visuals and a sluggish pace. It’s disheartening to note that both Alarum and Armor share the ignominious 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. While one can argue that Armor may deserve a better fate than its reviews imply, neither film comes close to matching Stallone’s earlier triumphs in action cinema. These recent offerings recycle clichéd elements from more successful blockbusters and lack both flair and sufficient production budgets.

In Alarum, action sequences often feel uninspired, marred by obvious CGI effects and disjointed editing. Despite Stallone’s best efforts, the films struggle with fundamentally flawed screenplays and limited resources, leading to their disappointing performances. To put this into perspective, Expendables 4 managed a mere 14% score, while Samaritan barely fared better with 38%.

Stallone Should Consider a Final Rambo Film to Salvage His Recent Career

Rambo 6 Might Be the Solution to Stallone’s Recent Misfortunes

During a Q&A session at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2023, Stallone mentioned that there was still interest from producers in creating another Rambo film, although he humorously remarked about his age, indicating he felt the character’s story was largely complete after Rambo: Last Blood. This film concluded with an ambiguous shot of Rambo, badly injured, leaving his family farm—a poignant yet unclear ending.

Every Sylvester Stallone Action Movie Since 2019	Rotten Tomatoes Rating
Escape Plan: The Extractors (2019)	N/A
Rambo: Last Blood (2019)	26%
The Suicide Squad (2021)	90%
Samaritan (2022)	38%
The Expendables 4 (2023)	14%
Armor (2024)	0%
Wings (2024)	0%

Unfortunately, Last Blood was met with mixed reactions and ultimately did not provide the proper closure fans had hoped for. Even David Morrell, the original author of First Blood, expressed his dissatisfaction with the fifth film. This underscores the potential for Stallone to create a much more satisfactory conclusion for Rambo’s saga.

Returning to his iconic role in Rambo 6 could allow Stallone to regain his footing in the action genre, particularly as theatrical opportunities for stars like him have diminished. A new Rambo film would likely enjoy a more substantial budget and marketing push compared to the paltry resources allotted to Alarum, presenting a chance for Stallone to shine once more.

Stallone Should Move Away from “Geezer Teaser”Productions

The Quality of “Geezer Teaser”Films is Open to Question

Sylvester Stallone in Armor holding a gun with a Rotten Tomatoes splat behind him

According to a Los Angeles Times article, Armor was shot in a remarkably short span of nine days, with Stallone pocketing an impressive $3.5 million for just one day of work. While this payout is impressive, it highlights the concerning production quality associated with these low-budget films.

These types of films—often referred to as “geezer teasers”—rely on casting recognizable names like Stallone or Nicolas Cage, offering a quick payday for minimal screen time. Although Stallone always appears committed in these projects, the overall quality consistently falls short. If he aims to escape his current streak of poor critical reception, avoiding these low-caliber productions is imperative.

Stallone’s focus should shift toward quality projects that offer genuine promise. He is still associated with several intriguing adaptations, such as the horror/action hybrid Hunter, where he portrays a tracker hunting a government-created monster, as well as the dystopian thriller Little America, which explores a future America facing economic collapse. Starring in another subpar movie would only further harm his reputation; therefore, he needs to concentrate on securing quality scripts that can revitalize his career.

Exploring Potential Directions for Rambo 6

Rambo 6 Could Explore Various Themes and Narratives

The conclusion of Rambo: Last Blood did not lay the groundwork for a sequel, aside from hinting at Rambo potentially becoming a fugitive. Stallone has teased the idea of Rambo seeking refuge in a Native American reservation, adding a layer of complexity to his character’s heritage. This could serve as an exploration of Rambo’s past while steering the narrative toward fresh conflict.

Alternatively, the sixth installment could resurrect Stallone’s earlier ambition to incorporate the storyline of Hunter into the Rambo franchise. Following public backlash over the concept of Rambo battling a literal monster, Stallone scrapped these plans. However, if he reframes this concept while tying it to Rambo’s internal struggles, it could prove to be a compelling narrative shift. Notably, Morrell and Stallone had previously collaborated on a poignant concept for Rambo 5 that could still find life in a new project.

The year [Stallone] made CREED in Philadelphia, he called me one day. He wanted to make a final Rambo film. And for weeks we worked out a plot that was heartbreaking. This was a film festival movie, an award movie. I can’t talk about what the story was, but it was a perfect ending.

Stallone has the opportunity to revisit Morrell’s original concept, providing Rambo with the farewell he rightfully deserves. Currently, Rambo represents Stallone’s most viable path toward a successful return to the spotlight, especially given the complications surrounding the Rocky series and the disappointing outcomes of the Expendables franchise. A carefully crafted Rambo 6 with a satisfying resolution could not only redeem the character but also restore Stallone’s standing in Hollywood—certainly a better option than pursuing Alarum 2.

Sources: Rotten Tomatoes, The Los Angeles Times, Flashback Files

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