The Punisher

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The Punisher

R

Released Apr 16, 2004

2h 4m

Action

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Popcornmeter

29%

Tomatometer

171 Reviews

63%

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250,000+ Ratings

This dark action film, based on the comic book series, follows FBI agent Frank Castle (Thomas Jane) as he transforms into the vengeful Punisher after criminals murder his family, including his wife and son. Castle is gravely injured in the attack and believed to be dead by Howard Saint (John Travolta), the crime lord who ordered the hit. Following his recovery, Castle becomes a heavily armed vigilante who will stop at nothing to exact revenge on Saint and dismantle his underworld empire.

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Critics Consensus

A good cast fails to elevate this overly violent and by-the-numbers revenge flick.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Bad big screen adaptation of comic book.

Rated: 2/5

Dec 28, 2010

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J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

There's something to be said for letting a comic book adaptation operate at the level of a comic book, dispensing cheap laughs and ice-cold sadism.

Apr 25, 2007

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Time Out

Ultimately, Frank's victim -to-vigilante transformation is so morally unexplored it's emotionally alienating.

Feb 9, 2006

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

The Punisher’s anti-hero status is ignored altogether in this unchallenging movie; he’s reduced to being a homemade Good Guy without special powers, just a munitions store and a souped-up car.

Rated: 2/4

Mar 7, 2024

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Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

For anyone ignorant of its pulpy pedigree... The Punisher presents itself as little more than a rather cheap and nasty actioner lifted wholesale from the they-killed-his-wife-and-child-and-now-they're-gonna-pay files.

Rated: 1.5/5

Nov 17, 2020

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

For a movie about brutal eye-for-an-eye reprisal, there really isn't much savagery (or ferocity) taking place during the majority of the film.

Rated: 3/10

Nov 9, 2020

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Alexander S

Despite its clunky writing, The Punisher’s action sequences and somber tone establish it as a respectable adaptation of the character, complemented by Thomas Jane’s performance. While the villain characters lack distinctiveness, John Travolta’s portrayal is adequate. As an ardent fan of the character, I acknowledge this film’s underrated merits and extend a favorable assessment. Grading: C+

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/08/25

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Tre B

Very underrated film sure it gas its flaws but the movie is not as bad as the reviews it gets. I love the punisher and Thomas Jane was amazing in this film. Amazing performance

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/08/25

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ryan b

Underrated fun movie. Granted it isn't as polished as other marvel movies but then again the Punisher isn't a super hero like other comic book heroes. If you want a fun, action packed movie with a good cast and lots of explosions then you should give it a go, it's a fun ride. Good music as well.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/06/25

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Audience Member

Underrated

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/04/25

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Obi-wan K

Fine comic adaptation

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/02/25

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Wendel L

Direção: Bom Atuação: Bom Roteiro: Bom Caracterização: Ok Soundtrack: Ok

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/09/24

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Jonathan Hensleigh

Director

Thomas Jane

Frank Castle

John Travolta

Howard Saint

Will Patton

Quentin Glass

Roy Scheider

Frank Castle Sr.

Laura Harring

Livia Saint

Made Men

20%

49%

Made Men

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Desert Heat

0%

36%

Desert Heat

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Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever

0%

20%

Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever

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Riders

29%

35%

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The Substitute 4: Failure Is Not an Option

17%

32%

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Synopsis

This dark action film, based on the comic book series, follows FBI agent Frank Castle (Thomas Jane) as he transforms into the vengeful Punisher after criminals murder his family, including his wife and son. Castle is gravely injured in the attack and believed to be dead by Howard Saint (John Travolta), the crime lord who ordered the hit. Following his recovery, Castle becomes a heavily armed vigilante who will stop at nothing to exact revenge on Saint and dismantle his underworld empire.

Director: Jonathan Hensleigh
Producer: Avi Arad, Gale Anne Hurd
Screenwriter: Gerry Conway, Jonathan Hensleigh, Michael France
Distributor: Lionsgate Films, Summit Entertainment
Production Co: Partnership Films, Artisan Entertainment, Marvel Enterprises, Punisher Productions
Rating: R (Language|Brief Nudity|Pervasive Brutal Violence)
Genre: Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 16, 2004, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 19, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $33.7M
Runtime: 2h 4m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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