actioner
Car-chase movie genre
An actioner is an action movie—a film heavy on chases, fights, explosions, and physical stunts.
The term is industry shorthand, used by critics and film buffs more than general audiences: The studio greenlighted another big-budget actioner for summer release.
Sometimes extended to action-oriented video games or novels.
Violent burst of energy
- car chaseHigh-speed vehicular pursuit
- fight sceneStaged combat in film
- shootoutArmed confrontation or tiebreaker
- stuntDangerous feat for spectacle
pyrotechnics · one-liner · showdown · climax · set piece · slow motion · firefight · hand-to-hand
Enormously successful entertainment property
- thrillerSuspense-driven narrative genre
- shoot-em-upGun-heavy action entertainment
- summer movieWarm-season theatrical release
- tentpoleCentral shelter support
franchise film · sequel · reboot · B-movie · exploitation film · direct-to-video · streaming original · vehicle
Principal male actor
- martial artistCombat discipline practitioner
- tough guyIntimidating, resilient person
- strongmanPowerful lifter or despot
- ensemble castMultiple principal performers equally
villain · henchman · sidekick · femme fatale · mercenary · commando · assassin · rogue agent
Plans dangerous performance sequences
- second unitAuxiliary film production team
- CGIDigital movie imagery
- practical effectsNon-digital film techniques
- wireworkCraft using bent metal
choreography · squib · breakaway · crash pad · green screen · motion capture · stunt double · fight choreographer
explosion
Violent burst of energy
- car chaseHigh-speed vehicular pursuit
- fight sceneStaged combat in film
- shootoutArmed confrontation or tiebreaker
stunt · pyrotechnics · one-liner · showdown · climax · set piece · slow motion · firefight · hand-to-hand · martial arts
blockbuster
Enormously successful entertainment property
- thrillerSuspense-driven narrative genre
- shoot-em-upGun-heavy action entertainment
- summer movieWarm-season theatrical release
tentpole · franchise film · sequel · reboot · B-movie · exploitation film · direct-to-video · streaming original · vehicle · spectacle
leading man
Principal male actor
- martial artistCombat discipline practitioner
- tough guyIntimidating, resilient person
- strongmanPowerful lifter or despot
ensemble cast · villain · henchman · sidekick · femme fatale · mercenary · commando · assassin · rogue agent · vigilante
stunt coordinator
Plans dangerous performance sequences
- second unitAuxiliary film production team
- CGIDigital movie imagery
- practical effectsNon-digital film techniques
wirework · choreography · squib · breakaway · crash pad · green screen · motion capture · stunt double · fight choreographer · pyrotechnician
actionerdrama
Theatrical art or turmoil
character study · art film · arthouse film · meditation · romantic drama
actionerpsychological drama
Fiction emphasizing internal struggle
mood piece · talkie · think piece · domestic drama · family drama
- take actionBegin doing something
- in actionActively performing a task
- action movieHigh-adrenaline cinema
- action figuresJointed miniature character toys
- action starPerformer in thrillers
- social actionOrganized efforts for change