The Brave One

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The Brave One

R

Released Sep 14, 2007

2h 2m

Mystery & Thriller

Drama

Action

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

43%

Tomatometer

181 Reviews

64%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

New York radio host Erica Bain (Jodie Foster) endures a brutal attack that leaves her badly injured and her beloved fiance dead. The tragedy haunts her, and she sets forth on a personal quest for revenge. Her exploits captivate city residents but, as a determined detective (Terrence Howard) closes in on her, Erica wonders if she is now no better than those she hunts.

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Critics Consensus

Magnetic by between Jodie Foster and Terrence Howard can't quite compensate for The Brave One's problematic and unconvincing eye-for-an-eye moral.

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David Fear

Time Out

Rated: 2/5

Nov 16, 2011

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Ben Kenigsberg

Time Out

Rated: 2/5

Nov 16, 2011

Full Review

Christopher Orr

The New Republic

The Brave One is not merely the most morally repellent film of the year, but a contender for the stupidest.

Sep 22, 2008

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Although it possesses believable circumstances, it primarily proves that obeying the law isn't nearly as much fun as breaking it.

Rated: 7/10

Nov 24, 2020

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

Sorry, but I ain't buying it.

Rated: 2.5/4.0

Sep 4, 2020

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Mattie Lucas

The Dispatch (Lexington, NC)

May be a potboiler at heart, but its moral ambiguity combined with Foster's stellar performance make for something that is compulsively watchable and hard to get out of your head.

Rated: 3/4

Jun 5, 2019

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Tamara K

Jodie Foster is an amazing actor! She brings her intensity and authenticity to every role! I've been a fan since Taxi Driver! She makes this movie!! With Terrance Howard as the detective, together their chemistry is 2nd to none. Terrance Howard is a great actor, also. The story-line fantastic! A great movie!! Jodie Foster never disappoints!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/14/25

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Daniel L

Solid revenge/vigilante movie with a great cast and acting. Worth a watch.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/25/24

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Mary S

I loved the chemistry between the 2 protagonists.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/26/23

Full Review

Dick C

It's an excellent movie, The Brave One, 2007...directed by Neil Jordan and written by Roderick Taylor, Bruce A. Taylor and Cynthia Mort...with strong castings, Jodie Foster, Terrence Howard, Mary Steenburgen, Zoë Kravitz...

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/09/23

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Alain M

good performance from Jodie Foster and Terrence Howard, but overall the pacing of the movie is pretty slow.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

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michele m

one of the best movies of all times.OMG Jodie is seriously just so good, and Terrence. oh wow. gorgeous and a great actor. they had great chemistry. nothing but wonderful things to gush about in this movie!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/16/22

Full Review

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Neil Jordan

Director

Jodie Foster

Erica Bain

Terrence Howard

Det. Mercer

Nicky Katt

Det. Vitale

Naveen Andrews

David

Mary Steenburgen

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Synopsis

New York radio host Erica Bain (Jodie Foster) endures a brutal attack that leaves her badly injured and her beloved fiance dead. The tragedy haunts her, and she sets forth on a personal quest for revenge. Her exploits captivate city residents but, as a determined detective (Terrence Howard) closes in on her, Erica wonders if she is now no better than those she hunts.

Director: Neil Jordan
Producer: Joel Silver, Susan Downey
Screenwriter: Roderick Taylor, Bruce A. Taylor, Cynthia Mort
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Warner Bros., Village Roadshow Pictures, Silver Pictures
Rating: R (Some Sexuality|Language|Strong Violence)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Drama, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 14, 2007, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 18, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $36.8M
Runtime: 2h 2m
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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