Ransom

R

Released Nov 8, 1996

2 hr. 0 min.

Mystery & Thriller

List

74%

74 Reviews

Tomatometer

63%

100,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Through a life of hard work, airline owner Tom Mullen (Mel Gibson) has amassed a great deal of wealth. When a group of criminals want a piece of his cash, they kidnap his son (Brawley Nolte) for a $2 million ransom. Encouraged by his wife (Rene Russo) and an FBI agent (Delroy Lindo), Tom prepares to pay the money, but the ransom drop goes awry. Enraged, Tom decides to turn the tables on the kidnappers by making the ransom a bounty on their heads -- which he announces on national television.

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Critics Consensus

Directed with propulsive intensity by Ron Howard, Ransom is a fiery thriller packed with hot-blooded performances and jolting twists.

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Crey Fish S

A gripping action/thriller with enough surprises and good direction from Ron Howard.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/11/24

Full Review

Audience Member

What's the real ransom? Director Ron Howard makes a nail-biting action thriller starring Mel Gibson, Renee Russo, Lilli Taylor, Gary Sinese, Armand Assante, and Delroy Lindo Tom Mullen is rich but it didn't happen overnight, he made his money on his own building a successful airline He has a loving wife, Kate and a boy named Sean Things go off the rails when a group of criminals kidnap Tom's son and ask for a bit of his cash in return..$2 million to be exact The FBI asks to step in but the situation escalates Tom now takes matters into his own hands by placing the same money as a bounty on the kidnappers in order get Sean back by announcing it on tv But the authorities may not be on the same playing field as Tom races against the clock Lots of fueled performances and some shocking turns Yet the film forgets to put in the actual thrills The first 30 min are lagging then it picks up again But by the end it quiets down so much The plot barely makes any sense 100% but Gibson and Russo are committed playing these parents desperate to get their kid back It's unorthodox but any person with a child would do anything for their safe return, even consider the thinking strategy for criminals and not just about the money It's too long and could inject more pulse-pounding yet the script is still intelligent enough to work

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/09/23

Full Review

John R

Mel Gibson gives off the same energy in this that he gives off in Braveheart: "I will burn everything down rather than give you what you want." It's a mood he's very good at portraying. It might be his best acting space. He and Gary Sinise opposite one another makes for a real powerhouse. Lots of great supporting actors and some really interesting turns to the plot make this a lot of fun.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/03/23

Full Review

Jackson87

Ransom is a thriller that delivers on every level. Directed by Ron Howard and starring Mel Gibson, Rene Russo, and Gary Sinise, the film tells the story of a wealthy businessman whose son is kidnapped, and the race against time to bring him home safely. One of the film's greatest strengths is the outstanding performances by the cast. Mel Gibson delivers an unforgettable performance as Tom Mullen, a man who is forced to confront his deepest fears and emotions as he battles to save his son. Rene Russo is equally impressive as Kate, Mullen's wife, who provides a strong and supportive presence throughout the film. The film's villain, Jimmy Shaker, played by Gary Sinise, is a complex and chilling character, whose motivations are gradually revealed as the story unfolds. Sinise delivers an outstanding performance that is both menacing and nuanced, making him a truly memorable antagonist. The tension and suspense that permeate the film are masterfully crafted by Ron Howard, who expertly balances the pacing of the story to keep the audience on the edge of their seats. The film's cinematography and editing are also excellent, with the use of lighting and camera angles adding to the film's atmosphere and emotional impact. In addition to the excellent performances and technical aspects of the film, Ransom also explores themes of love, sacrifice, and morality, adding depth and substance to the story. The film's emotional impact is undeniable, and it leaves a lasting impression on the viewer long after the credits have rolled. Overall, Ransom is a brilliantly executed thriller that is sure to leave audiences captivated and satisfied. It is a testament to the skill and artistry of its director and cast, and a true classic of the genre.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/02/23

Full Review

Taylor L

Ransom has an interesting duel of personalities at its center. Gary Sinise makes a compelling foil, and Mel Gibson is more than first glances would suggest - a father balancing a love for his son against the practicalities of his situation, using his knowledge of human nature to cold-hearted effect. The script goes through a few too many climaxes and makes its tortured protagonist into too much of a superhero, with Gibson sliding over car hoods like he's still on the Lethal Weapon set, and that certainly takes away from the simplicity of a father's worst fear and the compelling nature of a character trying to think strategically while shrouded in an emotional fog. By the time the film gets to its (actual) conclusion, it's essentially a full-blown action movie, though it's still got enough red meat to be worth the watch. The most disappointing thing about Ransom is the way it flirts with class conflict in a way that's very ahead of its time, as Gibson's Tom Mullen becomes painfully aware of the gulf that has formed between him and ordinary people, including a stunned moment on a TV set as he loads up piles of cash to transfixed studio workers. But it's never capitalized on, and Sinise is left to be a relatively generic, if intimidating and often intelligent, villain that mostly just had greed and insanity as his motivation. Delroy Lindo kills it in every cop role that he's ever gotten, good enough that he got a bit typecast after a while. But from '95 to 2010 or so, you could count on this guy for any law enforcement gig you could think up. (3/5)

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Not a fan of drama, but this is really good and interesting stuff... High dose of emotional octane, need better blood; get the real stuff...

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

Full Review

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Ron Howard

Director

Mel Gibson

Tom Mullen

Rene Russo

Kate Mullen

Gary Sinise

Det. Jimmy Shaker

Delroy Lindo

Agent Lonnie Hawkins

Lili Taylor

Maris Conner

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Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

The special nature of this story is its many climaxes that border on false endings and also how Gibson's character responds to the ransom demand of $2 million.... it is Gibson who sells us on it and sells it well.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 22, 2014

Full Review

Desson Thomson

Washington Post

There are more climaxes in here than in a Swedish blue movie. This is not to say you won't be thrilled, charged up and put through the ringer at times, but your intelligence will need to be shoved under your seat like warm, flat soda.

Jan 22, 2014

Full Review

Steven Rea

Philadelphia Inquirer

That's interesting stuff, but it doesn't play out with a lot of smarts. And the opportunity to end Ransom on a creepy note of unpredictability is forsaken for the usual glass-shattering, bullets-flying finale.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jan 22, 2014

Full Review

Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

The movie, quite unavoidably, becomes "Guys With Phones."

Rated: C

Sep 1, 2022

Full Review

Sheila Reid

Women in the Life

The result is a riveting 121 minute ride.

May 16, 2022

Full Review

PJ Nabarro

Patrick Nabarro

The sheer plethora of silly plot holes and nonsensical moments does sort of ebb away at one's suspension of disbelief.

Rated: 2/5

Oct 29, 2019

Full Review

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Synopsis

Through a life of hard work, airline owner Tom Mullen (Mel Gibson) has amassed a great deal of wealth. When a group of criminals want a piece of his cash, they kidnap his son (Brawley Nolte) for a $2 million ransom. Encouraged by his wife (Rene Russo) and an FBI agent (Delroy Lindo), Tom prepares to pay the money, but the ransom drop goes awry. Enraged, Tom decides to turn the tables on the kidnappers by making the ransom a bounty on their heads -- which he announces on national television.

Director: Ron Howard
Executive Producer: Todd Hallowell
Screenwriter: Cyril Hume, Richard Maibaum, Richard Price, Alexander Ignon
Distributor: Touchstone Home Video, Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co: Imagine Entertainment, Touchstone Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 8, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 27, 2020
Box Office (Gross USA): $136.5M
Sound Mix: Surround