The present application is directed to a hardcoat film article comprising a cured hardcoat layer disposed on a release liner, and a thermoplastic layer on the cured hardcoat layer opposite the release liner. The thermoplastic layer has a thickness of at least about 25 micrometers. In other embodiment, the thermoplastic layer is opaque. The release liner comprising a release material formed by irradiating a release material precursor. Additionally, this application is directed to a method of forming a composite film comprising providing a release liner, coating a hardcoat composition onto the release liner to form a hardcoat layer, and curing the hardcoat layer to form a cured hardcoat layer. A thermoplastic layer is disposed onto the cured hardcoat layer to form a hardcoat composite film, and the hardcoat composite film is attached to an adhesive layer opposite the cured hardcoat layer.