Martial arts legend and action icon Scott Adkins delivers one of his most compelling performances to date in Take Cover, a high-intensity survival thriller that pits human skill against lethal circumstance. Known worldwide for his dynamic fight choreography and athletic prowess, Adkins plays Sam Lorde, a hardened sniper ready to walk away from the life of violence—only to find that survival means facing his past in the most unprotected way imaginable.
In Take Cover, after years on the battlefield, Sam is ready to retire, longing for peace after his final job goes terribly wrong. But fate has other plans. Alongside his loyal spotter and longtime partner Ken (played by Jack Parr), Sam faces an unrelenting sniper in a luxury penthouse with no backup and nowhere to hide. His quiet exit has now turned into a desperate fight for life.
What sets Take Cover apart is its blend of psychological tension and physical action, anchored by Adkins’ martial arts expertise and emotional depth. The confined all-glass setting turns every corner into a risk, every reflection a threat, and every heartbeat a countdown.
In an interview, Adkins talked about what it’s like filming in one setting for the bulk of the movie. “Well, it’s interesting, because you have got to try and space out the action… You’re just trying to entertain the audience consistently, to keep them in it, to keep them guessing, and just to keep them entertained. Whether it’s a little bit of juvenile humor, some drama, or another action beat… To try and space everything out and make it interesting in that way,” said Adkins.
Adkins also praised director Nick McKinless, a veteran stunt coordinator and action specialist making his feature directorial debut with Take Cover, saying, “Nick had enough experience and he’s been on massive movies as stunt coordinator and second unit director so he’s seen enough of how the big boys do it to know how to do it himself… He certainly knew how to talk to the actors, when a performance needed to be done again or when we weren’t getting it or when we were. He was supportive and gave us the opportunity to be the best that we could be.”
See Scott Adkins push survival to its limits in Take Cover, streaming on Lionsgate Play starting January 16, 2026.
