Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Graphic
- bombastic
- macho
- politically charged
- retro action marathon
- cult movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly regarded the film as crude, politically strident action pulp, while acknowledging Dolph Lundgren’s physical charisma and spectacle.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The Soviet agent’s mission, rebellion against communist control, and reception describing the film as conservative propaganda establish its ideological framework.
Nikolai’s ingestion of scorpion poison, initiation ceremony, and scarification create the Red Scorpion identity.
Dolph Lundgren’s physique, combat performance, and action-centered role are central to the film’s presentation and critical discussion.
Nikolai hesitates to kill the rebel leader, is captured, and gains a new role after initiation among the resistance.
Films like Red Scorpion, and why
Red Dawn
shared 1980s cold war action, anti-communist propaganda, military missions, and muscular star vehicle energy
Rambo III
shared Cold War geopolitics, foreign intervention themes, violent action spectacle, and ideological pulp
The Living Daylights
shared Soviet military protagonist, international espionage, revenge-driven action, and heightened political thriller tone
Movie Details
- Director
- Joseph Zito
- Release Date
- 1988-12-24
- Runtime
- 105 min
- Rating
- 6.0 / 10 (320)
Cast
- Dolph Lundgren
- M. Emmet Walsh
- Al White
- T. P. McKenna
- Carmen Argenziano
- Alex Colon
- Brion James
- Ruben Nthodi
- Vusi Dibakwane
- James Mthoba
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Philo, Screambox Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Troma NOW, Midnight Pulp Amazon Channel, Cineverse Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Red Scorpion about?
- A Soviet special forces assassin becomes a scarred revolutionary icon after a shamanic ordeal turns a failed mission into an anti-communist action crusade.
- What is Red Scorpion like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Red Scorpion as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Red Scorpion violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Red Scorpion as graphic.
- What did critics think of Red Scorpion?
- Critics broadly regarded the film as crude, politically strident action pulp, while acknowledging Dolph Lundgren’s physical charisma and spectacle.
- Which films are like Red Scorpion?
- Films with a similar feel include Red Dawn, Rambo III, and The Living Daylights.
- How long is Red Scorpion?
- Red Scorpion runs 105 minutes.
- Where can I watch Red Scorpion?
- In United States, Red Scorpion streams on Amazon Prime Video, Philo, Screambox Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Troma NOW, Midnight Pulp Amazon Channel, Cineverse Amazon Channel.
