Universal Soldier (1992) is a sci-fi action film directed by Roland Emmerich and stars Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren. The film became a popular entry in the action genre, known for its high-octane fight scenes, military science fiction themes, and the rivalry between its two leads.

The plot revolves around the Universal Soldier (UniSol) program, a secret government project that revives dead soldiers, turning them into emotionless, superhuman warriors. Jean-Claude Van Damme plays Luc Deveraux, a soldier who died during the Vietnam War but is resurrected as a UniSol. Alongside him is Andrew Scott (played by Dolph Lundgren), a fellow soldier who also died in Vietnam but returned with unstable, psychotic tendencies.

As part of the UniSol unit, both Deveraux and Scott are deployed for dangerous missions, but things go awry when they start regaining memories of their past lives. Deveraux begins to remember who he was before his death, while Scott, who had been a violent and unhinged soldier in life, descends further into madness. The two former comrades-turned-enemies clash as Scott embarks on a killing spree, believing he’s still in the middle of the war, while Deveraux tries to stop him and rediscover his humanity.

The movie is known for its intense action sequences, especially the final confrontation between Van Damme and Lundgren, and its blend of military and science fiction elements. The themes of resurrection, the loss of humanity, and the ethics of militarized technology are explored, though the film mostly focuses on delivering thrilling action set pieces.

While Universal Soldier received mixed reviews upon its release, it became a cult hit and spawned several sequels, with Van Damme reprising his role in some of them. The film is notable for launching director Roland Emmerich’s career in Hollywood, who would go on to direct blockbuster hits like Independence Day and The Day After Tomorrow.