Fast X: release date, reviews, plot and everything we know

(Image credit: Peter Mountain/Universal Pictures)

As Fast X marks the 10th entry of the Fast & Furious franchise, it’s incredible to think how these movies have evolved from their humble beginnings. Starting out as a story about a cop going undercover into a street racing gang that is pulling off a series of heists of electronic devices (we’re talking DVD players), the franchise has essentially become about superheroes tasked with saving the world numerous times with spectacular vehicular stunts. But hey, it’s been a fun ride to get to where we are and fans are unsurprisingly excited to see what’s next with Fast X.

That feeling is amplified considering Fast X is the first of what is being billed as a two-part conclusion to the series that has now spanned more than 20 years. What lies in store for Dominic Toretto, Letty, Roman, Tej and the rest of your favorite Fast & Furious characters? Here’s everything that we know about Fast X.

Fast X release date

Fast X has a scheduled release date of May 19 in the US and UK, with most of the rest of the world getting it either that day or a couple of days earlier. Here is how to watch Fast X.

Fast X trailer

Just days before the its release in movie theaters, an epic (we're talking four-and-a-half minutes) final Fast X trailer has dropped online. Watch it and all previous Fast X trailers right here:

The franchise has also been releasing updated trailers for all of its previous movies. Check out the retro trailer for the original The Fast and the Furious directly below:

Fast X plot

With the arrival of the Fast X trailer, the official plot of the 10th movie in the franchise has also been unveiled, with a figure with a connection to our heroes' past returns for vengeance. Here is the official plot of the movie:

"Over many missions and against impossible odds, Dom Toretto and his family have outsmarted, out-nerved and outdriven every foe in their path. Now, they confront the most lethal opponent they've ever faced: a terrifying threat emerging from the shadows of the past who's fueled by blood revenge, and who is determined to shatter this family and destroy everything — and everyone — that Dom loves, forever.

"In 2011's Fast Five, Dom and his crew took out nefarious Brazilian drug kingpin Hernan Reyes and decapitated his empire on a bridge in Rio De Janeiro. What they didn't know was that Reyes' son, Dante, witnessed it all and has spent the last 12 years masterminding a plan to make Dom pay the ultimate price.

"Dante's plot will scatter Dom's family from Los Angeles to the catacombs of Rome, from Brazil to London and from Portugal to Antarctica. New allies will be forged and old enemies will resurface. But everything changes when Dom discovers that his own 8-year-old son is the ultimate target of Dante's vengeance."

Fast X cast

The main Fast & Furious crew are all coming back for Fast X, headlined by Vin Diesel as Dominic Toretto, but also including Michelle Rodriguez's Letty, Tyrese Gibson's Roman, Ludacris' Tej, Nathalie Emmanuel's Ramsey, Sung Kang's Han and Jordana Brewster's Mia Toretto.

Other recurring characters from the franchise are set to make appearances, including Charlize Theron's Cipher, Helen Mirren's Queenie, Jason Statham's Deckard, John Cena's Jakob Toretto, Scott Eastwood as Little Nobody, Michael Rooker as Buddy and Cardi B as Leysa.

Now that we've talked about all the familiar faces, there are some exciting new additions to the Fast & Furious family. Among the new cast members are Jason Momoa (Aquaman) as the villainous Dante. Brie Larson (Captain Marvel), Alan Ritchson (Jack Reacher) and Daniela Melchoir (The Suicide Squad) are all playing unknown roles; though we do know that Larson's character is named Tess.

We do know, however, that Oscar-winner Rita Moreno (West Side Story) is joining Fast X to play grandma Toretto. Young actor Leo Abelo Perry is also joining the cast to play Dominic Toretto's son, per Variety.

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Vin Diesel protects a woman with a car door in Fast X — Vin Diesel in Fast X(Image credit: Peter Mountain/Universal Pictures)

Fast X director

Louis Leterrier is directing Fast X. This marks Leterrier's first outing with the Fast & Furious franchise, though he is well versed in the action genre having directed the first two Transporter movies, Unleashed, The Incredible Hulk and Now You See Me. Letterier also directed multiple episodes of Netflix’s original series Lupin and most recently the movie The Takedown.

That's the short answer to who is directing Fast X, but there's a more complicated backstory. Originally, Justin Lin was set to direct Fast X in addition to being one of the writer's on the script. Lin helped revitalize the franchise and directed The Fast & the Furious: Tokyo Drift, Fast & Furious, Fast Five, Fast & Furious 6 and F9. However, shortly after production began, Lin announced that he was stepping down as director, though he remains a producer on the movie. The Hollywood Reporter detailed some of the behind-the-scenes elements that supposedly led to Lin's departure from the movie.

Fast X reviews — what the critics are saying

The reviews are in for the latest edition of the Fast & Furious franchise. What to Watch's Fast X review says that the movie features an entertaining performance from Jason Momoa and has the appropriate quota of action, but that it "is a pileup of characters fighting to stand out and less spectacular action that feels more like marketing for future installments than a complete feature."

The overall consensus for the movie with critics isn't the rosiest, as Fast X has a "Rotten" 55% approval on Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences seem to be enjoying it though, with a score of 84% approval from those who have seen the movie as of May 19.