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The Expendables 5 arrives in 2025 as the franchise’s loudest, bloodiest, and strangely most sentimental chapter yet. While it never pretends to be anything more than a testosterone-fueled explosion factory, this entry finally gives the aging mercenaries a storyline with real emotional stakes — without sacrificing the over-the-top chaos fans expect.

Plot

Barney Ross is pulled back into action after a covert strike team goes missing during an operation to stop an international weapons syndicate. The twist? The new enemy is a rogue PMC made up of former soldiers who idolized the Expendables — and now want to surpass them by starting a global conflict.

The old squad reunites, joined by a new generation of fighters, blending two eras of action heroes with predictably messy but entertaining chemistry.

Performances

• Sylvester Stallone delivers one of his better late-career action performances, with more heart and less invincibility than usual.

• Jason Statham once again carries the franchise’s charisma and humor, stealing nearly every scene.

• Dolph Lundgren gets surprising emotional depth, balancing comedy with a subtle arc about his character’s mortality.

• New cast members add flair and diverse fighting styles, helping modernize the series.

None of the acting is “great,” but it’s exactly the level of tongue-in-cheek intensity these movies thrive on.

Action & Style

The action is larger, louder, and more ridiculous than ever — and proudly so.

Highlights include:

• an opening raid through a collapsing desert fortress

• a motorcycle/helicopter chase on a suspension bridge

• a final showdown featuring a multi-level shipyard battle reminiscent of old-school Hong Kong action films

The CGI is occasionally rough, but the practical explosions and hand-to-hand combat scenes make up for it.

Tone

The humor lands better than in Expendables 4, with self-aware jokes about aging, Hollywood stunts, and the team’s implausible survival skills. The movie embraces its identity: big, dumb, and fun.

Strengths

• Better chemistry and jokes than the last installment

• A more coherent plot (for once)

• Fun mix of old and new action stars

• Explosive set pieces that go all-in on spectacle

Weaknesses

• Still overloaded with characters

• Some villains are underdeveloped

• Occasional weak CGI

• Formulaic story beats

Final Verdict: 7.4/10

The Expendables 5 is exactly what you expect — and maybe a little more.
It’s rowdy, indulgent, and gloriously excessive, but also surprisingly heartfelt at times. Not every punch lands, but most explosions certainly do.

A messy, loud, entertaining farewell (or maybe not) to one of the last true action-hero ensembles.