Gerard Butler may be set to discover the ravages of post-apocalyptic Europe in Greenland 2: Migration subsequent January, however earlier than we get there, one in every of his most underrated motion thrillers is ready to hit a brand new streaming house this week. Launched in 2009, the movie was panned by critics on the time for being unnecessarily violent, and holds only a 26% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics be damned, although, as a result of audiences cherished it, and now’s your probability to expertise it over again because of Netflix.
We’re speaking, in fact, about Legislation Abiding Citizen, which premiered on October 16, 2009. The vigilante motion thriller stars Butler as Clyde Shelton, a former CIA engineer searching for justice over the brutal homicide of his spouse and daughter. When he would not really feel like he is getting what he wants from a damaged system, he takes issues into his personal palms to get revenge. Produced on a funds of $53 million, Legislation Abiding Citizen managed to absorb $127 million throughout its theatrical run, which is not too shabby for an R-rated motion flick.
Directed by F. Gary Grey, Legislation Abiding Citizen additionally stars Jamie Foxx, Bruce McGill, Colm Meaney, Leslie Bibb, Regina Corridor, Viola Davis, and Christian Stolte. It is a kind of motion thrillers that is laborious to foretell because of Kurt Wimmer’s glorious script, which makes Butler’s character of Clyde smarter than your common vigilante. His elaborate assaults transcend merely discovering the dangerous man and taking pictures them. No, he needs to make them undergo for what they did to his household. His efficiency is second to none, giving Legislation Abiding Citizen a degree of depth that elevates it past your customary motion thriller. Take a look at the official synopsis under:
“Clyde Shelton (Butler) is an honorable household man, till the day his spouse and daughter are murdered in a house invasion. He hopes for justice, however a rising prosecutor named Nick Rice (Foxx) cuts a take care of one of many killers in trade for testimony. Ten years later, that man is discovered lifeless.”
Roger Ebert Liked ‘Legislation Abiding Citizen’
Whereas nearly all of critics had nothing however destructive issues to say about Legislation Abiding Citizen, Roger Ebert went towards the grain to offer the movie a score of three out of 4 stars. Surprisingly sufficient, he really preferred the film, calling it a “taut thriller a couple of serial killer in reverse.” He praised using Butler and Foxx, saying the duo “make a well-matched pair of their grim willpower.” He added:
“Legislation Abiding Citizen is a kind of films you want extra on the time than looking back. I imply, ‘come on,’ you are considering. Nonetheless, there’s one thing to be mentioned for a film you want effectively sufficient on the time.”
Viewers loved Legislation Abiding Citizen as effectively. The movie has an viewers rating of 75% on Rotten Tomatoes, which is method higher than what most critics gave it. Most individuals agree that it is “completely loopy,” “freaking superior,” and “among the best thrillers ever.” If you wish to relive all of the thrills of Butler’s underrated vigilante motion thriller, Legislation Abiding Citizen hits Netflix on October 1, 2025.
- Launch Date
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October 16, 2009
- Runtime
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109 minutes
- Director
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F. Gary Grey
- Producers
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Gerard Butler, Kurt Wimmer, Lucas Foster, Mark Gill, Alan Siegel