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John Q

Play trailer Poster for John Q PG-13 Released Feb 15, 2002 1h 58m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
26% Tomatometer 133 Reviews 78% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
Story centers on a man whose nine-year-old son is in desperate need of a life-saving transplant. When he discovers that his medical insurance won't cover the costs of the surgery and alternative government aid is unavailable, John Q. Archibald (Denzel Washington) takes a hospital emergency room hostage in a last-ditch attempt to save his child.
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John Q

John Q

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Critics Consensus

Washington's performance rises above the material, but John Q pounds the audience over the head with its message.

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Critics Reviews

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Jeff Strickler Minneapolis Star Tribune A polemic in search of a plot. Rated: 2/4 Nov 6, 2002 Full Review Steven D. Greydanus Decent Films "What John does is heroic, but we don't condone it," one of the film's stars recently said, a tortuous comment that perfectly illustrates the picture's moral schizophrenia. Rated: D- May 9, 2002 Full Review Neil Smith BBC.com Doesn't so much need a heart as a brain transplant. Rated: 2/5 Apr 22, 2002 Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews ...Washington offers up a consistently spellbinding turn that goes a long way towards smoothing over the narrative’s bumps and lulls... Rated: 3.5/4 Feb 3, 2024 Full Review Justin Brown Medium Popcorn I liked this movie but some of the performances like Eddie Griffin threw the tone off a bit. But all in all, Denzel does such a great job in this film and does everything he can to carry it to the finish line. Rated: 3/5 Nov 20, 2022 Full Review Brandon Collins Medium Popcorn Denzel carries this movie on his back, which saves the movie from fully drowning. It should've been a great Denzel movie but because of its flaws, it is just "ok". Rated: 3/5 Nov 20, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Korra N Gripping, heart-wrenching and propelled by Denzel's phenomenal performance, John Q is hard but necessary watch. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/19/25 Full Review karen n Outstanding performances edge of your seat movie. Gripping and thrilling. All star cast! Highly recommend it! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/28/25 Full Review Nathan P A very emotional and groundbreaking performance by Denzel Washington and others, tells an important message to help others in need, fantastic ending just go watch it if you haven’t already. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/19/25 Full Review Stoner J Sure it’s not the best quality movie, but entertaining. And Denzel’s performance is the best I’ve seen, better than his performance in the Hurricane. This one really displays his superior acting chops Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 07/12/25 Full Review Gage H A great movie about a boy who might live or die and what a performance by Denzel Washington Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/28/25 Full Review Drew F Great movie! Denzel in his prime. Movie will pull at your heart strings. No pun intended. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/19/25 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Nick Cassavetes

Director

Denzel Washington

John Q. Archibald

Robert Duvall

Grimes

James Woods

Dr. Turner

Anne Heche

Rebecca Payne

Eddie Griffin

Lester

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John Q

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John Q

(l to r): Robert Duvall and Ray Liotta star in New Line Cinema's John Q. Denzel Washington stars in New Line Cinema's John Q. (l to r): Kimberly Elise, Daniel E. Smith and Denzel Washington star in New Line Cinema's John Q. Denzel Washington stars in New Line Cinema's John Q. Director Nick Cassavetes on the set of New Line Cinema's John Q. (l to r): Denzel Washington and Robert Duvall star in New Line Cinema's John Q. (left to right) Denzel Washington, Daniel E. Smith and Kimberly Elise star in New Line Cinema's John Q. James Woods (left) and Denzel Washington star in New Line Cinema's action-thriller, JOHN Q. (left to right) Ray Liotta, Anne Heche and Robert Duvall star in New Line Cinema's John Q. Ray Liotta stars in New Line Cinema's John Q. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Story centers on a man whose nine-year-old son is in desperate need of a life-saving transplant. When he discovers that his medical insurance won't cover the costs of the surgery and alternative government aid is unavailable, John Q. Archibald (Denzel Washington) takes a hospital emergency room hostage in a last-ditch attempt to save his child.
Director
Nick Cassavetes
Producer
Mark Burg, Oren Koules
Screenwriter
James Kearns
Distributor
New Line Cinema
Production Co
Evolution Entertainment
Rating
PG-13 (Language|Intense Thematic Elements|Violence)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 15, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 15, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA)
$71.0M
Runtime
1h 58m
Sound Mix
Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, SDDS, DTS-ES, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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