Insane reality of Netflix’s blockbuster Extraction 2 scene

Extraction 2’s “one-shot” sequencer is one of the most epic, ultra-violent action scenes to ever hit screens – and pulling it all together was as gruelling as you’d imagine.

When it comes to new movies, it feels like there aren’t a lot of cinematic tricks left in the bag to really shock audiences.

But one mind-bending action scene in Netflix’s Extraction 2, starring Chris Hemsworth, is set to do exactly that.

Extraction stars Hemsworth as a black ops mercenary and former soldier named Tyler Rake, who is contracted to high stakes rescues. In the first instalment, he’s sent to save the son of an Indian drug lord, while in the sequel, he needs to break a gangster’s family out of a Georgian prison.

It also features a mind-bending, 21-minute “one-shot” style action sequence.

Hemsworth stars in the exhilarating films.

In honour of Extraction 2’s premiere, I found myself in one of the massive film stages within Sydney’s Disney Studios recently, also being extracted from peril (OK, minor inconveniences including a faux-blizzard and stunt men acting out a brawl) in a 90-second version of the sequence, set up by Netflix.

It was all one take, fast-paced, intense - plus I had no idea what was coming at each point - and I think we can agree I nailed the brief:

Attempting not to laugh while doing karate hands was a cinematic technique, and I’m sure we can all agree, it worked.

A very real reaction to unexpectedly being shot in the face with fake – but aggressive – snow.

Hemsworth recently flagged that Extraction 3 talks are already underway, so consider this my official audition.

My colleague, Lexie Cartwright - who, it must be said, insisted on telling everyone on-set that she majored in drama - also had a go:

@lexienewscomau

Just hire me as Chris Hemsworth’s understudy already… #Netflix#Extraction2

♬ Dramatic Military - Faid rafanda

Sam Hargrave, we will await your call.

Anyway, back to the real thing.

Hemsworth opened up about filming the (actual) jaw-dropping sequence to news.com.au at Netflix’s Tudum fan event recently, describing it as “exhilarating” but “painful”.

“It was exhausting, it was exhilarating, it was painful at times, but I’ve got to say the elation and the sense of achievement, once we’d done it, was unlike anything I’ve ever felt and what you see on screen, there’s a visceral integrity and truth you can’t fake, and you don’t get when you shoot against a green screen,” Hemsworth told news.com.au at Netflix’s Tudum fan event in Brazil.

“Ninety-five per cent of what you see in the film happens within the frame on the day, so there’s a spontaneity and grit to it.”

Extraction 3 is already in the works, according to the actor.

The thrilling single-take scene was first introduced with a 12-minute version in the original film, but former stuntman-turned-director Sam Hargrave had wanted to up the stakes for the sequel.

He almost doubled the length, but used staging tricks to make it appear as if it was all “one shot”.

It was extremely ambitious – which was reflected in the lengthy block of time it took to create.

“The rehearsal process [for the oner] was four or five months from conception to finding the locations,” Hargrave revealed to IGN, “mapping out the path, and then getting the actors doing all their moves.

“Then shooting, it took 29 days, I believe, to complete.”

Extraction 2 is currently available to stream on Netflix.