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The Punisher

Play trailer Poster for The Punisher R 2004 2h 4m Action Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
30% Tomatometer 169 Reviews 63% Popcornmeter 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.
The Punisher

What to Know

Critics Consensus

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

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Critics Reviews

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Nell Minow Common Sense Media 12/28/2010
2/5
Bad big screen adaptation of comic book. Go to Full Review
J. R. Jones Chicago Reader 04/25/2007
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. Go to Full Review
Time Out 02/09/2006
Ultimately, Frank's victim -to-vigilante transformation is so morally unexplored it's emotionally alienating. Go to Full Review
Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review 03/07/2024
2/4
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. Go to Full Review
Leigh Paatsch Herald Sun (Australia) 11/17/2020
1.5/5
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. Go to Full Review
Mike Massie Gone With The Twins 11/09/2020
3/10
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. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Jens B @honestGuy Dec 6 To be honest this isn't the type of movie I usually like so don't take my review too seriously. The story seems very rushed especially the start of the movie, for example where did he get the idea to make an armoured car? The story also seems very bland and unoriginal, the movie's like "Blade" if there wasn't any vampires and such. See more Stephen C @bob25009 Nov 23 Success in 02 hours, 03 minutes, and 29 seconds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated R for Language, Brief Nudity and Pervasive Brutal Violence!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $33,700,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Co-starring John Travolta as mob boss Howard Saint!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more marvin n Sep 9 same o' same o'.................. See more The R Aug 28 The Best punisher and I dont Will to change my mind See more Hailin P Aug 23 Enjoyable and fun to watch with great casting. Hidden gem marvel movie underrated. See more Adrian M Jul 26 I think it’s an underrated movie. In my personal opinion it’s enjoyable. See more Read all reviews
The Punisher

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Movie Info

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
Punisher Productions, Artisan Entertainment, Marvel Enterprises, Partnership Films
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)