Counterattack ending explained: What happens to Josefu?

Counterattack (original Spanish title Contraataque) is a Mexican action thriller that dropped on Netflix on February 28, 2025. Chava Cartas directed it, and the writers include Cartas and Jose Ruben Escalante Mendez.

The official synopsis of the film reads,

"Five friends shopping at US/Mexico border face sicario hitmen, but the targets are actually Murciélagos."

The film stars Luis Alberti, Noé Hernández, Leonardo Alonso, and Luis Curie, among others. The producers include Sebastian Jurado and Francisco Gonzalez. We will be discussing the film's ending, especially the fate of Josefu who was trying to avenge Roman's death.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for Counterattack. Reader discretion is advised.

What is the plot of Counterattack?

A still from Counterattack | Image via Netflix YouTube

Counterattack starts with two women being held hostage by a drug cartel named El Enjambre. Captain Armando Guerrero (played by Luis Alberti) and his team decide to rescue them. But then they come across a burial ground used by the cartel to bury their victims. Soon, the officers have to fight for their survival as the cartel wants to eliminate them to hide the secret.

How does Counterattack end?

Towards the end of Counterattack, the officers manage to eliminate Roman and keep moving deep into the forest. A squad is waiting for them for extraction at a particular rendezvous point. This is made possible after Guerrero makes a call at their base for help. Josefu realizes that Roman is dead, and that fills him with so much anger. He goes after the officer to seek revenge. Massive shootouts take place, and Pollo and Tanque sustain injuries.

Eventually, the team sees the two women named Carla and Lucia, who were held hostage by the cartel. They are rescued, and everyone decides to stop at the compound which Josefu surrounds. Tanque gets left behind as he has no ammunition. Tanque ends up blowing himself up with a grenade to stop Josefu's men. Meanwhile, Poll also ends up dying.

Guerrero and Josefu get into a physical combat, and the latter is subdued in minutes. He is then arrested, and the officers tell him that he will be sent to prison. The final message of the film, before the credits roll, says: The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. This message encapsulates the message of the entire film as Guerrero's team is confronted by the cartel. The officers decide to fight back and end the cartel.

Counterattack is available to watch on Netflix.