A Blast from the Past: Arnold Schwarzenegger in 'The Sixth Day'

For those in search of an engaging action film set against a sci-fi backdrop, look no further than Arnold Schwarzenegger's 2000 release, The Sixth Day, now available on HBO Max. Despite being over two decades old, it remains a thrilling watch.

As the early 2000s approached, Hollywood saw a shift in its action heroes, with muscular stars like Schwarzenegger beginning to fade in favor of leaner actors, such as Keanu Reeves in The Matrix. While Sylvester Stallone faced a career slump, Schwarzenegger continued to produce traditional action films, though audiences were losing interest.

A Compelling Sci-Fi Action Film

Released on December 20, 2000, The Sixth Day features Schwarzenegger as the lead in a science fiction narrative that is worth the attention. Set in a near-future where genetic advancements have eradicated diseases and eliminated famine, the film follows helicopter pilot Adam Gibson, portrayed by Schwarzenegger, who finds himself bewildered by the changes in society. His confusion deepens when he discovers a clone of himself celebrating a birthday with his family.

The plot thickens as Adam becomes the target of assassins working for Michael Drucker, a wealthy biotechnology mogul. To safeguard his empire, Drucker must eliminate Adam before he can expose the truth behind the cloning conspiracy.

Directed by Roger Spottiswoode, known for Tomorrow Never Dies, the film unfortunately faced a significant box office failure, grossing only $96 million against an $82 million budget. While it may not rank among Schwarzenegger's finest performances, the film delivers plenty of adrenaline through its action sequences.

Columbia Films

A Life-Threatening Stunt

The film also tackles the theme of cloning with a thoughtful approach, supported by strong performances from a talented cast including Tony Goldwyn, Michael Rooker, and Robert Duvall.

Interestingly, Schwarzenegger nearly lost his life during the filming of a particularly dangerous underwater stunt. In his book, Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life, he recounted the experience, stating, "In The Sixth Day, I probably did my most dangerous stunt. It was supposed to be simple, a scene where I swim. But there was a cover over the pool. I was supposed to exit the same way I entered, but when I turned around, I started running out of air."

He continued, "I couldn't find my way back to the exit. I tried to stay as calm as possible, but I knew I didn't have much time left. Luckily, Billy Lucas, my stunt double, realized what was happening and came to save me."

The Sixth Day is currently available for streaming on HBO Max.