One in the Chamber (2012)

A Straightforward Action Flick with a Cold War Shadow

One in the Chamber is a gritty, guns-blazing action thriller set in the criminal underworld of post-Communist Eastern Europe. Released in 2012 and directed by William Kaufman, the film stars Academy Award-winner Cuba Gooding Jr. and action legend Dolph Lundgren in a battle of assassins, mobsters, and betrayal. While it doesn’t revolutionize the genre, the movie delivers enough shootouts, tension, and charisma to satisfy fans of straight-to-video action cinema.

Plot Summary

Set in Prague, the story follows Ray Carver (Cuba Gooding Jr.), a professional hitman caught in the middle of a brutal turf war between rival Eastern European crime families. After taking a risky contract that upsets the fragile balance of power, Carver becomes a target himself.

To restore order, one of the crime bosses brings in Aleksey “The Wolf” Andreev (Dolph Lundgren), a legendary Russian hitman with a fearsome reputation. What follows is a deadly game of cat and mouse between two killers—one precise and conflicted, the other ruthless and efficient.

As the bullets fly and alliances shift, both men must confront their own pasts and decide where their loyalties truly lie.

Themes and Tone

The film deals with themes of honor among killers, loyalty, and redemption in a world where morality is a luxury. The tone is dark, with a gritty, post-Soviet backdrop that adds a sense of realism and danger. There are moments where the film attempts to explore the emotional cost of a life of violence, especially through Carver’s guilt-ridden conscience—but don’t expect much depth beyond the surface.

Action and Style

As expected from a film starring Dolph Lundgren, One in the Chamber is packed with shootouts, chases, and close-quarter combat. The action is brutal and fast-paced, with plenty of stylized gunplay and gritty choreography. Director William Kaufman keeps the momentum going, even if the plot itself occasionally stalls.

The Eastern European setting adds a layer of atmosphere, with abandoned buildings, neon-lit clubs, and shadowy alleyways creating the perfect backdrop for the chaos.

Performances

Cuba Gooding Jr. brings a weary, introspective quality to Ray Carver, showing a man trying to maintain control in a world where control is an illusion. While his performance is solid, it occasionally feels out of place in such a pure-action environment.

Dolph Lundgren, on the other hand, plays to his strengths—stoic, menacing, and physically dominant. His presence elevates every scene he’s in, and he clearly enjoys playing the antihero assassin.

Claudia Bassols adds intrigue as Janice, a woman caught in the crossfire, though her character is underdeveloped.

Reception

One in the Chamber received mixed reviews. Critics noted its lack of originality and thin plot but appreciated its gritty aesthetic and the strong screen presence of its leads. For action fans, it’s a serviceable thriller with enough firepower and tension to entertain.

Conclusion

One in the Chamber (2012) is a solid if formulaic action film that delivers exactly what it promises—guns, grit, and two action stars squaring off in a deadly showdown. It doesn’t offer much in terms of innovation or storytelling, but as a straightforward shoot-'em-up thriller, it hits the mark.