Equilibrium

R

Released Dec 6, 2002

1 hr. 47 min.

Sci-Fi

Drama

List

40%

90 Reviews

Tomatometer

81%

250,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

In a futuristic world, a regime has eliminated war by suppressing emotions: books, art and music are strictly forbidden and feeling is a crime punishable by death. Clerick John Preston (Christian Bale) is a top-ranking government agent responsible for destroying those who resist these rules. When he misses a dose of Prozium, a mind-altering drug that hinders emotion, Preston, who has been trained to enforce strict laws of the new regime, suddenly becomes the one capable of overthrowing it.

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Critics Consensus

Equilibrium is a reheated mishmash of other sci-fi movies.

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Jeff R

The premise of a tyrannical government suppressing freedom and burning books, is nothing new. It has been done several times and is the exact purpose for the existence of the Second Amendment to the US Constitution. However, what sets this apart from those other stories is the action. The “guncata” and sword play is incredibly well choreographed and provides a fresh approach to action in general. Although the obvious ending can be seen a mile away, it does provide a few surprises. This is not the best movie you will see but I think it brings a fresh approach to action movies.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/18/24

Full Review

Thomas K

This is one of those movies, much more people should watch. It is great.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/20/24

Full Review

Alec B

Far sillier than it's drab design and overly serious tone suggests. Also, the plot can't follow it's own absurd internal logic.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

12/14/23

Full Review

Troy K

True that this film takes a ton of liberties that make it seem like a ripoff of other dystopian movies like The Matrix franchise but the performances of Christian Bale, Emily Watson, a pre-GOT Sean Bean and yes, even Taye Diggs plus the introduction of a unique style of fighting known as the gun kata (also referred to as "Gun Fu") makes the film a lot more enjoyable than most of the critics that trashed it say it was.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/29/23

Full Review

Donnie K

Sure it hits on a few of the same beats as The Matrix but if you have the ability to watch a movie without endlessly comparing it to others this is actually a blast.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/18/23

Full Review

Kathryn V

Real good. Never seen C. Bale do so much action in a movie. Great plot, too. I like good acting, he never disappoints.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/06/23

Full Review

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Kurt Wimmer

Director

Christian Bale

John Preston

Emily Watson

Mary

Taye Diggs

Brandt

Angus Macfadyen

DuPont

Sean Bean

Partridge

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Equilibrium: Official Clip - Sense Offender

1:59

Equilibrium: Official Clip - The Incineration

1:52

Equilibrium: Official Clip - Joining the Resistance

2:05

Equilibrium: Official Clip - Cleric Practice

2:13

Equilibrium: Official Clip - Ludwig van Beethoven

2:09

Equilibrium: Official Clip - Puppy Shootout

2:11

Equilibrium: Official Clip - Why Are You Alive?

2:13

Equilibrium: Official Clip - Killed for Reading

2:13

Equilibrium: Official Clip - Face Off

1:55

Equilibrium: Official Clip - Final Fight

1:43

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Nathan Rabin

AV Club

Though ultimately silly, Equilibrium's shopworn but stylish synthesis of ammo and ideas is surprisingly engrossing.

Apr 17, 2019

Full Review

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Violent post-nuclear sci-fi is Orwellian.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 24, 2010

Full Review

Wally Hammond

Time Out

Bale is too self-conscious an action hero, and although the script may have the virtue of transparent plagiarism, it teeters both dramatically and conceptually.

Jan 26, 2006

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

The costuming, set designs, and music (by Klaus Badelt, which is actually spectacular) are far more impressive than anyone might expect.

Rated: 7/10

Sep 29, 2020

Full Review

Leah Rozen

People Magazine

A balanced thriller.

Apr 17, 2019

Full Review

Philip French

Observer (UK)

Kurt Wimmer's Equilibrium is a dreary sci-fi action movie set after the Third World War in a dystopia from which all dangerous human emotion has been drained by the daily injection of the drug Prozium and the burning of art and books.

Apr 17, 2019

Full Review

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Synopsis

In a futuristic world, a regime has eliminated war by suppressing emotions: books, art and music are strictly forbidden and feeling is a crime punishable by death. Clerick John Preston (Christian Bale) is a top-ranking government agent responsible for destroying those who resist these rules. When he misses a dose of Prozium, a mind-altering drug that hinders emotion, Preston, who has been trained to enforce strict laws of the new regime, suddenly becomes the one capable of overthrowing it.

Director: Kurt Wimmer
Executive Producer: Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein, Andrew Rona
Screenwriter: Kurt Wimmer
Distributor: Gativideo, Buena Vista International [us], RCV Film Distribution, Amuse Pictures Inc., West Video, Miramax Films
Production Co: Dimension Films, Blue Tulip
Rating: R (Violence)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 6, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 9, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.2M
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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