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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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40% Tomatometer 90 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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Vasilis P This movie is a superb dystopic vision of a possible future. It blends the establised futuristic dystopic narratives in a seamless whole. The gun kata combat system is very well done and as close to a novel idea as one can get in an over-saturated entertainment industry where every idea and trope have been exhaustively explored. The scene with the rain on the window is indicative of the greatness of this film, its cinematography, directing and acting. I have only praise for this film. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/30/24 Full Review Xii-Nyth ­ It's like instructions of how to cure depression Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/27/24 Full Review faye m Brilliantly entertaining, action packed and thought-inducing; this dystopia never fails to amaze me even despite watching it multiple times. Christian plays the role effortlessly. The subtle transistion between the absense of emotion versus the abundance of emotion that he displays is flawless and beautiful. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/21/24 Full Review John Q BRilliant Low budget film that looks into orwellian society with a uniquie prisim. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/24/24 Full Review Walter B Low budget. High entertainment. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/18/24 Full Review 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 Read all reviews
Equilibrium

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Cast & Crew

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
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
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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