Rotten Tomatoes
Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

Man on Fire

Play trailer 2:24 Poster for Man on Fire R 2004 2h 25m Action Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
39% Tomatometer 166 Reviews 89% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
In a Mexico City wracked by a recent wave of kidnappings, ex-CIA operative John Creasy (Denzel Washington) reluctantly accepts a job as a bodyguard for 9-year-old Lupita (Dakota Fanning), the daughter of wealthy businessman Samuel Ramos (Marc Anthony). Just as Creasy begins to develop a fondness for the young girl, a bloodthirsty gunman (Jesús Ochoa) kidnaps her. Now, Creasy must pick off a succession of corrupt cops and criminals to reach his ultimate object of vengeance.
Watch on Fandango at Home Stream Now

Where to Watch

Man on Fire

Man on Fire

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Man on Fire's solid action and top-shelf cast are undone by a relentlessly grim story that gets harder to take the longer it goes on.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More
Andrea Gronvall Chicago Reader 04/17/2019
3/4
Washington has chosen wisely, and he hasn't had to wait long. Go to Full Review
Nathan Rabin AV Club 04/17/2019
Scott's latest exercise in assaultive excess nevertheless lingers for two and a half hours, like a drunken houseguest who won't leave. Go to Full Review
Nell Minow Common Sense Media 12/25/2010
1/5
Extremely violent; not for kids. Go to Full Review
Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies 08/24/2022
2.5/5
At almost two-and-a-half hours the film really needs more meat on its bones. Go to Full Review
Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com 09/15/2020
2.0/4.0
This is a merely average film that had much more potential. Go to Full Review
Fernando Lopez La Nación (Argentina) 04/17/2019
A film that ends up being tedious due to its excessive duration, annoying by its formal lack of control. [Full Review in Spanish] Go to Full Review
Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Chris M @CCM91 1d This is one of the best movies I have ever watched. Denzel and Dakota characters were absolutely made for each other. You could feel the pain in Creasy’s character and that Pita brought him back from the abyss. Dakota was just fantastic in this roll. Their chemistry made this movie. Denzel’s best acting job ever. Absolutely Loved this movie. See more Tyson D. @Spudsprout 1d (Overall Rating: 3.58/5) (Good) --- (Cinematography/Atmosphere: 2/5) Extremely jarring and jumpy camera work that was very excessive. Cool soundtrack though --- (Storyline/Plot: 3.75/5) Great pacing for a slower burn action film. It gave power to the connections between the characters. Ending was a bit anti-climactic though. --- (Acting: 4.25/5) Denzel, Dakota and even Walken were all superb throughout the movie. Others were just ok --- (Character Quality: 3.75/5) The actors definitely brought more life to the otherwise common trope characters. --- (Entertainment Value: 4/5) I like good revenge stories and this one delivered. I was entertained throughout. --- (Expectations vs. Reality: 3.75/5) I thought this was a different movie when I was told that I would be watching it. I had not seen this, glad I did though. See more Jeff B @RT54874440 1d If you're going to watch anything with the title "Man on Fire" (1987 film, this 2004 film or the 2026 Netflix series) then this is the one. Denzel owns Creasy, it's like the character was made for him, it fits him like a glove. Dakota was 9 years old when this was filmed and she does a great job. Also, very cool to see Walken in this film, which has a gritty street feel of cinematography that fits this movie perfectly. See more Lucie C @RT39442992 May 5 A wonderfully poignant movie executed satisfactorily - an awesome story , Denzel and Dakota evoked the perfect emotions to carry the story forward. anyone commenting about it being too violent was born after 1995 🤪 See more Dennis G @MunchinBooty May 3 Classic! Seen it 20 times and still watch it every time it comes on. Critics are morons for low ratings. See more Matt J @RT95392035 May 1 Excellent. Denzel and Dakota were great in this, along with the rest o the cast. There's a personal connection between the main characters that most kidnapping/revenge films miss. This is one of my favorites. See more Read all reviews
Man on Fire

My Rating

Read More Read Less WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW POST RATING
Criminal 69% 57% Criminal Watchlist Best Laid Plans 43% 39% Best Laid Plans Watchlist L.A. Confidential 99% 94% L.A. Confidential Watchlist Harsh Times 48% 55% Harsh Times Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis In a Mexico City wracked by a recent wave of kidnappings, ex-CIA operative John Creasy (Denzel Washington) reluctantly accepts a job as a bodyguard for 9-year-old Lupita (Dakota Fanning), the daughter of wealthy businessman Samuel Ramos (Marc Anthony). Just as Creasy begins to develop a fondness for the young girl, a bloodthirsty gunman (Jesús Ochoa) kidnaps her. Now, Creasy must pick off a succession of corrupt cops and criminals to reach his ultimate object of vengeance.
Director
Tony Scott
Producer
Arnon Milchan, Lucas Foster, Tony Scott
Screenwriter
Brian Helgeland
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Production Co
Scott Free Productions, Fox 2000 Pictures, New Regency Pictures, Regency Enterprises
Rating
R (Strong Violence)
Genre
Action, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 21, 2004, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA)
$77.9M
Runtime
2h 25m
Sound Mix
Dolby SR, DTS, Surround
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)