by Chris Hemsworth has cemented himself as one of Hollywood’s most bankable and versatile leading men in recent years. From starring as the God of Thunder in the Thor franchise to flexing his comedic chops in Ghostbusters, Hemsworth has proven he can take on any role that comes his way. However, when the opportunity arose for Hemsworth to star in the Netflix action thriller Extraction, even he had some reservations.
In an interview with Variety, Hemsworth admitted that he initially felt “terrified” about taking on the role of black ops mercenary Tyler Rake in Extraction. As fans of the film know, Rake is put through the physical and emotional ringer over the course of the movie. Hemsworth was concerned about living up to the extreme physical demands of the character, who is constantly fighting, running, and pushing himself to the limit.
“I was scared of not living up to the expectations of the role and the fans,” Hemsworth confessed. “I knew I was going to have to push myself to the limit physically and mentally.”
Considering Hemsworth’s reputation as a chiseled action star, one might assume that the physical requirements of the role would be no problem for him. However, the intense hand-to-hand fight scenes and elaborate stunt work required Hemsworth to up his game even beyond his demanding training for Thor.
“There were a lot more fight sequences in this than I’d ever done before,” Hemsworth explained. “We wanted them to look gritty, raw and real, which meant I couldn’t rely on conveniences like wirework.”
In order to transform into the formidable Tyler Rake, who can dismantle swaths of enemies without breaking a sweat, Hemsworth trained for months in martial arts, boxing, and weapon handling. “I worked extensively on fight choreography and skill work with our stunt team,” Hemsworth noted. “I also packed on an extra 10 pounds of muscle to make Rake look even more imposing.”
In addition to the combat preparation, Hemsworth also had to tailor his training to accommodate the sprinting, climbing, and swimming Tyler Rake does throughout the film’s relentless action sequences. “I incorporated a lot more functional body weight exercises like pull ups, dips, and burpees into my workouts,” Hemsworth said. “Rake is constantly on the move, so I prioritized building explosive power and fast-twitch muscle fibers.”
Between the stunt training and physical conditioning, Hemsworth estimated he trained for six hours a day, six days a week in the months leading up to Extraction’s production. Even with all that work, Hemsworth’s initial anxiety about the role remained.
“I was still nervous on day one of shooting,” Hemsworth said. “I was about to attempt some really dangerous stunts and I knew we couldn’t fake it.”
The first major sequence Hemsworth filmed was the 12-minute unbroken action set piece that opens Extraction. Following Rake as he embarks on a daring hostage rescue mission, the scene depicts Rake eliminating dozens of armed militants in breathless hand-to-hand combat and gunplay. Hemsworth confessed the ambitious scene was even more challenging than he anticipated.
“It was definitely trial by fire,” Hemsworth said. “We shot that opening sequence in 115 degree heat in India. By the end of each take, I was completely exhausted. I had cuts and bruises all over my body.”
Despite the discomfort and risk of injury, Hemsworth remained committed to executing every stunt with absolute authenticity. He even deferred to the expertise of his stunt team instead of relying solely on his own instincts.
“I really had to trust our stunt coordinators and fight choreographers,” Hemsworth explained. “They know how to make these sequences look realistic without anyone getting hurt. I had to check my ego at the door and admit when I was out of my depth with certain techniques.”
That deference and trust paid off immensely, with the final opening sequence thrilling audiences and critics alike thanks to its raw, forceful energy. But Hemsworth had yet to film the emotional crux of Extraction – the tender relationship between Tyler Rake and Ovi (Rudhraksh Jaiswal), the young boy Rake is tasked with rescuing.
Jaiswal was just 14 years old when Extraction began shooting, and Hemsworth approached their scenes together with an abundance of compassion. “Rudhraksh was so young, and this was one of his first films,” Hemsworth noted. “I wanted to make sure he felt comfortable and that we had an opportunity to establish a real friendship.”
To do that, Hemsworth made a point of hanging out with Jaiswal between takes, chatting about his life and interests beyond the movie. “Those conversations helped build a natural chemistry and trust between us,” Hemsworth said. “Rudhraksh is such a fun kid, which made it easy for me to imagine Rake genuinely caring for Ovi.”
That care is most evident in the film’s somber conclusion, when a mortally wounded Rake shares an emotional final moment with Ovi on a bridge. Recalling the gravity of playing that ending, Hemsworth said, “I wanted to make sure Ovi felt safe and reassured throughout the scene. And I was moved imagining Rake’s desire to save this child.”
Despite the preparations, Hemsworth was still anxious when cameras rolled on the poignant finale. “I found the entire ending very emotionally taxing,” Hemsworth confessed. “I didn’t want Rake’s sacrifice or Ovi’s pain to feel disingenuous or false in any way.”
Hemsworth’s commitment resulted in a remarkably heartfelt conclusion. When Extraction premiered on Netflix, the ending packed an emotional punch for viewers around the world. The film is now one of Netflix’s most successful original films ever.
Looking back on the experience, Hemsworth now regards taking on the role of Tyler Rake as a pivotal moment in his career. Though initially daunted by the challenges of the character, he’s proud to have overcome his fears and delivered a career-best performance.
“This was one of the most physically and emotionally demanding roles I’ve done,” Hemsworth reflected. “But the entire experience also gave me more confidence in my abilities as an actor.”
Rather than back down from the intense demands of the role, Hemsworth stepped up with months of grueling work to credibly transform into the hardened, tough-as-nails Tyler Rake. Hemsworth proved his versatility and commitment as a performer, showcasing new depths of talent while also flaunting impressive physical feats. It’s a performance that demonstrates Hemsworth’s evolution as a leading man who can shoulder the weight of an entire film.
“I’m grateful I didn’t let my fears stop me from taking on Extraction,” Hemsworth said. “This was an opportunity to really test my limits and expand my range. I came out of the experience a better actor.”
For fans eagerly awaiting Hemsworth’s next big screen endeavor, they can take comfort knowing the sky is truly the limit for his skills following Extraction. Whether he’s battling mythic beings as Thor or anchoring smaller character-driven narratives, Hemsworth has proven he has the work ethic and raw talent to tackle any cinematic challenge that comes his way. Extraction stands as a thrilling testament to his capabilities as a performer.
Though nobody will blame Hemsworth for feeling some anxiety about stepping into the shoes of the intimidating Tyler Rake, his willingness to confront the unknown resulted in an electrifying viewing experience. Not just another conventional action flick, Extraction and Hemsworth’s layered performance in it linger in the imagination. Much like the inscription on Rake’s dear wife’s gravestone, Hemsworth dove headlong into the role with “no fear, just thrills.” That bravery is evident in every frame, cementing Extraction as a career-defining showcase for Hemsworth’s bold talents.
