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Equilibrium

Play trailer Poster for Equilibrium R Released Dec 6, 2002 1h 47m Sci-Fi Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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39% Tomatometer 87 Reviews 81% Popcornmeter 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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Equilibrium

Equilibrium

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Critics Consensus

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

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Critics Reviews

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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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Oscar A Rara pero buena, mezcla entre matrix y blade. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/20/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Equilibrium

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Equilibrium

Equilibrium: Official Clip - Sense Offender Equilibrium: Official Clip - Sense Offender 1:59 Equilibrium: Official Clip - The Incineration Equilibrium: Official Clip - The Incineration 1:52 Equilibrium: Official Clip - Joining the Resistance Equilibrium: Official Clip - Joining the Resistance 2:05 Equilibrium: Official Clip - Cleric Practice Equilibrium: Official Clip - Cleric Practice 2:13 Equilibrium: Official Clip - Ludwig van Beethoven Equilibrium: Official Clip - Ludwig van Beethoven 2:09 Equilibrium: Official Clip - Puppy Shootout Equilibrium: Official Clip - Puppy Shootout 2:11 Equilibrium: Official Clip - Why Are You Alive? Equilibrium: Official Clip - Why Are You Alive? 2:13 Equilibrium: Official Clip - Killed for Reading Equilibrium: Official Clip - Killed for Reading 2:13 Equilibrium: Official Clip - Face Off Equilibrium: Official Clip - Face Off 1:55 Equilibrium: Official Clip - Final Fight Equilibrium: Official Clip - Final Fight 1:43 View more videos
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Movie Info

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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