Law Abiding Citizen

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Me This was one of those weight underrated movies it is awesome it was 10 times better than I thought was going to be I saw things here that I've never seen before and that's just nice and refreshing Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/16/25 Full Review Sergei L Great flow of the film, from act to act. An attention grabber, keeps you on your toes until the end. Not as predictable as other films. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/13/25 Full Review TheMovieSearch R Law Abiding Citizen (2009) is one of those films that catches you completely off guard. You go in expecting a standard revenge thriller, but what you get instead is a gripping, emotionally charged story that’s as intelligent as it is brutal. I stumbled across it without knowing much about it, and I can honestly say I was blown away. The film stars Gerard Butler as Clyde Shelton, a man whose wife and daughter are savagely murdered during a home invasion. When the justice system fails him—allowing one of the killers to walk free thanks to a plea deal brokered by prosecutor Nick Rice (played by Jamie Foxx)—Clyde decides to take matters into his own hands. What follows is a series of shocking, meticulously planned acts of vengeance that turn the entire city, and the justice system itself, upside down. From the very first scene, the emotional weight is palpable. Clyde isn’t your typical action-movie vigilante—he’s a broken, grieving father whose pain drives every move he makes. Butler delivers one of his most powerful performances here, combining raw emotion with a calm, calculated menace. You sympathize with his loss, even as you’re horrified by his methods. There’s something deeply human about his rage, which makes his transformation into a master manipulator both tragic and fascinating. Jamie Foxx’s performance as Nick Rice serves as the perfect counterbalance. He’s a man who lives by the rules, a career-driven prosecutor who believes in the system—until it’s turned against him. His dynamic with Butler is electric; their psychological chess match drives the entire movie. The tension between them never lets up, and each exchange feels like a battle of wits and morals. The supporting cast elevates the film even further. Viola Davis, though in a smaller role, brings her signature intensity and gravitas, grounding the film’s more explosive moments with emotional realism. Her scenes, especially those confronting the moral breakdown of the system, are incredibly effective. Colm Meaney also delivers as Detective Dunnigan, bringing a gritty, world-weary presence that fits perfectly within the film’s tone. Director F. Gary Gray deserves immense credit for how he orchestrates this story. The pacing is tight, the visuals are sharp, and the atmosphere is unrelenting. He manages to balance big, shocking moments with quieter, introspective scenes that make you question who’s really right and wrong. It’s not just a revenge story—it’s a study in morality, power, and how far someone will go when justice fails them. What makes Law Abiding Citizen so unique is its unpredictability. Every time you think you know what’s going to happen, the film takes another unexpected turn. The way Clyde executes his plan—often from within a jail cell—is both disturbing and brilliant. It leaves you constantly wondering how he’s managing to pull off these elaborate acts from behind bars, and the answers, when they come, are both shocking and satisfying. The movie also raises important ethical questions. Is vengeance ever justified? What does justice mean when the system itself is flawed? And how far can a person go before they become the very thing they despise? The screenplay doesn’t shy away from these heavy themes, and while the action is thrilling, it’s the psychological and moral tension that makes this film stand out. The cinematography and score further amplify the tension. The use of muted tones, sharp contrasts, and deliberate pacing gives the movie a haunting, almost claustrophobic feel. The music builds perfectly with the suspense, making even the quiet moments feel charged with energy. Rewatching Law Abiding Citizen or even thinking about it afterward leaves you questioning your own sense of justice. Would you do the same thing in Clyde’s position? Would you fight the system—or destroy it? That’s what makes the film so effective—it doesn’t just entertain you, it provokes you. For a movie I stumbled upon by accident, it quickly became one of the most captivating thrillers I’ve seen in years. It’s smart, shocking, and emotional in all the right ways. The performances are top-tier, the direction is precise, and the story grabs you from start to finish. If you’re into psychological thrillers, revenge dramas, or morally complex films that keep you guessing, Law Abiding Citizen is absolutely worth your time. It’s more than just a movie—it’s an experience that leaves you questioning what justice really means. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/09/25 Full Review LJ D Brilliant film for the most part but the last 20 mins, and ultimately the ending, is lousy. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/07/25 Full Review Mike L This was a brilliant plot for a movie. I do feel that it seems like they ran out of money or time and wrapped it up with a really awkward ending. The acting was solid and Butler is great in the film- although some parts seem pretty random and unnecessary. It is interesting how far most people were okay with a person going if his family had been wronged. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/03/25 Full Review Leaburn O It started pretty well but was explosively destroyed the inanity of the final half hour. Incredibly corny and badly acted towards the end too. Watched on Amazon Prime. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 09/27/25 Full Review Read all reviews

Law Abiding Citizen

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