WFG RATING: B

Netflix presents a W&B Films/Nocturna Films production. Directed by Oliver Rienle. Produced by Quirin Berg, Hannes Höhn, Philip Koch, Maximillian Vetter, and Max Wiedemann. Written by Philip Koch and Oliver Rienle. Cinematography by Markus Nestroy. 

Stars Emilio Sakraya, Dennis Mojen, Marie Mouroum, Florian Schmidtke, Paul Wollin, Aristo Luis, Morik Heydo, and Livia Matthes.

It’s a MMA version of the cult classic Run Lola Run in this thriller from director Oliver Rienle. 

Octavio “Octa” Bergmann is a top mixed martial artist who runs his own gym. He has been waiting for a major fight against archrival Robert Benko. However, the fight has already been delayed three times. The work has really put a damper on his relationship with his daughter Leonie. The day of the fight coincides with Leonie’s birthday. Having had enough, Leonie’s mother Mina warns Octa if he is not at her house by 6pm, she will get full custody of Leonie.

Forced to make a decision, Octa decides to forgo the fight and head straight for Mina’s house. However, it’s not going to be as easy as he thinks. His leaving the fight has ticked off local mobster Chino, who has made a massive bet on the fight for Octa. He sends his men to go after Octa, but Octa, determined to make things right, fights back at every turn and occasionally gets help from his longtime trainer and best friend Cosima. When another gang gets involved, Octa finds himself in his most dangerous predicament yet. Can he get to his daughter in time?

This German action thriller is reminiscent of the film Run Lola Run, where out titular character has a short amount of time to get money for her boyfriend or he will be in deep trouble with local crime boss. This has a very similar premise, in which our protagonist has a short amount of time, the titular 60 minutes, to get to his daughter or lose her forever in a custody battle. Of course, to spice things up, it’s good to have the protagonist a MMA fighter as it may remind viewers of the at-first estranged relationship between Cobra Kai’s Johnny and Robby. 

Actor and martial artist Emilio Sakraya is excellent in the lead role of Octa, the MMA fighter who finds himself in a deep pickle as he will do whatever it takes to see his daughter after missing out for so long. His opening training scenes are just a preview of what we get to see throughout the film as he finds himself in one fight after another on the street of Berlin, all while slowly learning the truth about why he is being chased down by big better Chino, played by an eschewing Paul Wollin, and his crew. 

Kudos also go out to Dennis Mojen as Octa’s friend and partner Paul, who slowly learns what a mistake he made and tries to make amends throughout the chase while Marie Mouroum, who delivers some hard hitting action as trainer and friend Cosima. She engages in a gym fight alongside Octa and two others against Chino’s men as well as another major battle scene in the third act. Aside from the action, there is an element of emotional depth on the part of Octa, especially when he sees his parents after a major fight and questions why he feels he is a failure as a dad. 

60 Minutes is a pretty good thriller that gives both an action and acting showcase for Emilio Sakraya. He is definitely a name to look out for in both departments.