Counterstrike (Contraataque) (2025) Review: A Lean Mexican Ambush Thriller

This Counterstrike review starts with a simple promise: a short, loud Mexican action thriller that wastes little time. Directed by Chava Cartas, the 85-minute film pits an elite squad against a criminal group with a score to settle.

It is lean, rowdy and built for viewers who like their action direct.

Counterstrike Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

The Counterstrike plot begins with a hostage rescue mission. The operation creates a new enemy, and Captain Guerrero (Luis Alberti) and his elite soldiers soon face an ambush from a criminal group.

The script by José Rubén Escalante Méndez keeps the setup uncluttered. We meet the team, understand the stakes and move into the danger fast. Some descriptions place the action along the US/Mexico border, but the film's core is the squad against a pursuing gang.

I won't go beyond the first act. The question that drives the film is who is hunting whom, and the answers are best discovered on screen.

What Works in Counterstrike

The pacing is the biggest strength. At 85 minutes, the film has no time for padding, and it keeps pressure on its characters from the early scenes onward.

• Tight runtime: momentum rarely drops.

• Clear stakes: a squad, an enemy and a mission gone sideways.

• Team dynamic: the soldiers have distinct nicknames and personalities that make group scenes easy to follow.

Fans of action movie reviews will recognise the structure, but it is delivered with confidence. Cartas shoots for impact over polish, and that suits the story.

Counterstrike Cast and Performances

The Counterstrike cast is led by Luis Alberti as Capitán Guerrero. He plays the commander with a steady, no-nonsense authority that anchors the film.

Noé Hernández is the standout as Josefo "El Aguijón" Urías, the menacing presence on the other side. He brings a coiled, threatening energy that gives the conflict real weight.

The squad is rounded out by Leonardo Alonso as Tanque, Luis Curiel as Pollo, Guillermo Nava as Toro and David Calderón León as Combo. Their banter and loyalty sell the sense of a unit that has been through a lot together, even when the script gives them little backstory.

Where Counterstrike Stumbles

The same speed that helps the film also limits it. Characters are sketched rather than explored, so emotional beats can feel thin when someone is in peril.

The story also follows a familiar path. Anyone who has seen a few military or cartel-themed thrillers will anticipate some turns, and the film does not try to reinvent the template.

A modest scale shows at times too. The film makes up for it with energy, but viewers hoping for blockbuster spectacle should adjust expectations. If you want something more grounded in suspense, our thriller movie reviews cover other options.

Is Counterstrike Worth Watching?

Yes, if you want a quick, no-frills action thriller with committed performances. Is Counterstrike worth watching comes down to taste: it values momentum over depth, and on those terms it delivers.

Audiences have responded warmly, with a TMDB user score of 8.3/10 from 874 votes. That matches my own sense that this is a crowd-pleaser more than an art piece.

The Counterstrike release date was 27 February 2025, and the film is in Spanish with an R rating. Check your local listings for where to watch it.

For more in this vein, browse our crime movie reviews.

Who Will Enjoy Counterstrike

• Viewers who like short, fast action thrillers with a squad at the centre.

• Fans of Mexican action cinema and Spanish-language genre films.

• Anyone who wants a straightforward ambush story without long setup.

For background on the film, see its IMDb listing.