Action Xtreme Expands to UK and Ireland with John Hannah's 'Bad Day at the Office'

Action Xtreme is expanding into the UK and Ireland film distribution market with the release of John Hannah's new film, Bad Day at the Office, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The UK-based studio will use the adrenaline-fueled thriller as its first theatrical release in the region.

The film will receive its UK premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in August. It is set to open the festival's Midnight Madness strand before launching nationwide in cinemas across the UK and Ireland this October.

What is 'Bad Day at the Office' about?

Produced and directed by Chee Keong Cheung, Bad Day at the Office is shot entirely from a first-person perspective using GoPro cameras. The film follows a man, played by John Hannah, who wakes in a hotel with no memory of who he is, only to discover a dead body in the bath and an army of assassins closing in. He must uncover the truth while fighting for survival. The cast also includes Radha Mitchell, Lana Parrilla, and Tamer Hassan.

What are people saying about the film?

Festival director at Edinburgh Emma Boa called the film an anarchic thrill ride. "Shot in the style of first-person shooter video games with cine-literate wit, humor, ferocious pacing and a cracking soundtrack, this is an anarchic, ultra-violent and hilarious thrill ride of pure, cinematic carnage," she said.

Cheung, who is also CEO of Action Xtreme, said the film represents an exciting moment for the company. "'Bad Day at the Office' is exactly the kind of bold, cinematic experience Action Xtreme was created for… Seeing our first theatrical release launch with a festival premiere at Edinburgh’s Midnight Madness, before rolling out nationwide, makes this an incredibly exciting moment for the company," he told THR.

Co-CEO Andreas Roald noted that distribution has been a key part of their long-term strategy to build a platform that develops filmmakers, produces films, and brings them directly to audiences.

What does this mean for Action Xtreme?

The move marks a significant step for Action Xtreme as it grows beyond production. The studio is also working on international partnerships, talent development, and an MA program in Action Filmmaking with Falmouth University. Its distribution arm will oversee theatrical releases and selectively acquire other commercially driven action and genre titles.

Recent productions from the studio include the Nigerian thriller Son of the Soil. Upcoming projects include the sci-fi film The Experiment, starring Rhona Mitra and Famke Janssen.