Equilibrium

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Equilibrium

R

2002

1h 47m

Sci-Fi

Drama

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Popcornmeter

39%

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87 Reviews

81%

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250,000+ Ratings

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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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

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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

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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

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sarah l

I love this film. I've watched it dozens of times, including at least once with the director's commentary. It's beautiful, sad, and relevant.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/18/25

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Alexander G

Als ich Equilibrium vor über 20 Jahren im Kino gesehen hatte, war ich nicht wirklich beeindruckt. Heute, als ich ihn nochmal sah, fand ich ihn sehr viel besser. Der Irrglaube, Gefühle seien das Problem der Menschheit und nicht ihr größter Schatz, wurde zwar auch in bekannteren Geschichten wie George Orwells "1984" oder Aldous Huxleys "Schöne Neue Welt" bereits behandelt, aber dennoch bietet "Equilibrium" eine neue Sicht auf dieses Thema. Nach einem dritten Weltkrieg werden Gefühle als die Ursache von Kriegen identifiziert und fortan nicht nur wie in Huxleys schöner neuer Welt medikamentiert, sondern zugleich wie im 1984 Orwells mit aller Gewalt bekämpft. Christian Bale spielt die Hauptrolle emotional sehr glaubwürdig, finde ich. Zunächst ist er dank täglicher Injektion von "Prozium" (eine Anspielung auf Prozac & Valium) voll auf Linie des Systems und tötet die "Sinnesverbrecher" gleichermaßen lakonisch, wie er auch die Verhaftung seiner Frau hingenommen hatte. Als er jedoch durch einen Kollegen (Sean Bean) mit verbotenen Materialien in Kontakt kommt und er zugleich vergisst, sein "Prozium" zu nehmen, nimmt die Geschichte ihren Lauf und das System kommt schließlich zu Fall. Was 2025 fast naiv wirkt, ist der Mangel an Überwachungstechnik, denn ob heute so ein Stunt noch möglich wäre, wage ich zu bezweifeln. Insofern vielleicht eher ein modernes Märchen und eine Ode an Kunst und Gefühle.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/15/25

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Jon A

39% from the critics is wild! This is probably one of my top 20 favorite movies of all time. Amazing movie!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/10/25

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Anthony C

Great sci-fi film, action packed with excellent fight scenes.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/11/25

Full Review

Jace T

I have always loved this movie. My friends and I loved it so much we started a metal band named 'The Grammaton Cleric' a long time ago. I really like the morals and philosophy that is driving this movie. The 'gun fu' and action scenes here are really fun a blood pumping. For a film about people not having feelings, it really makes you feel something. The critics panned this movie and they are incredibly wrong.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/04/25

Full Review

Toolboy D

Don't forget this is a 2002 movie, I think. Great story,great movie

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/22/25

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

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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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
Producer: Jan de Bont, Lucas Foster
Screenwriter: Kurt Wimmer
Distributor: Gativideo, Buena Vista International [us], RCV Film Distribution, Amuse Pictures Inc., West Video, Miramax Films
Production Co: Blue Tulip, Dimension Films
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
Runtime: 1h 47m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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