Hardcore Never Dies

Hardcore Never Dies is set in Rotterdam in 1996 and follows Michael, a seventeen-year-old who hopes to build a future as a pianist but is struggling with his musical training. Looking for a way forward, he is drawn into a new direction when his brother Danny brings him into the city's emerging gabber scene. Michael finds himself in a world of hard beats, close-knit brotherhood and drugs. As Danny's drug trade grows beyond local boundaries, the two brothers are left fighting to stay alive.

The film is directed and written by Jim Taihuttu and produced by Thomas den Drijver and Sander Verdonk for New Amsterdam Film Company. It follows Taihuttu's earlier features Rabat (2011) and The East (2021). Joes Brauers plays Michael and Jim Deddes plays Danny, with Rosa Stil, Jordy Dijkshoorn and Maxim Hartman in supporting roles. The film runs 108 minutes and blends crime, drama, music and thriller elements.

Released in November 2023, the film has an IMDb rating of 6.8 from around 4,300 votes, while on TMDB it holds 6.5 from about 50 votes, a smaller sample that reflects far less audience input.