Sudden Death (1995), directed by Peter Hyams, is a high-stakes action thriller starring Jean-Claude Van Damme at the peak of his ’90s action hero fame. Set during Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals in Pittsburgh, the film follows Darren McCord (Van Damme), a former firefighter turned fire marshal, who is attending the hockey game with his two children. The excitement quickly turns into a life-or-death situation when a group of terrorists, led by the ruthless Joshua Foss (Powers Boothe), takes the Vice President of the United States hostage in a luxury box high above the ice.

The terrorists threaten to blow up the entire arena if a hefty ransom isn’t paid before the final buzzer. When McCord discovers the plot, he leaps into action, using his skills and knowledge of the building’s layout to thwart the terrorists’ plans. With his children’s lives also at stake, McCord must outwit the heavily armed criminals in a desperate race against time.

Packed with intense fight scenes, daring stunts, and suspenseful cat-and-mouse chases, Sudden Death offers classic ’90s action thrills. One of its most memorable sequences includes Van Damme battling a terrorist in a giant penguin mascot costume and later suiting up as a goalie to stop a critical play during the hockey game—all while keeping the clock ticking down toward disaster.

Peter Hyams’ tight direction ensures that the film maintains a relentless pace, blending over-the-top action with genuine tension. Powers Boothe delivers a chillingly calm villain performance that perfectly contrasts Van Damme’s rugged determination. While it might embrace some of the era’s action movie clichés, Sudden Death remains a fun, adrenaline-charged ride and a nostalgic favorite for fans of classic Van Damme action.