Man on Fire

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2:24

Man on Fire

R

Released Apr 21, 2004

2h 25m

Crime

Drama

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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.

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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.

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Andrea Gronvall

Chicago Reader

Washington has chosen wisely, and he hasn't had to wait long.

Rated: 3/4

Apr 17, 2019

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Nathan Rabin

AV Club

Scott's latest exercise in assaultive excess nevertheless lingers for two and a half hours, like a drunken houseguest who won't leave.

Apr 17, 2019

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Extremely violent; not for kids.

Rated: 1/5

Dec 25, 2010

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

At almost two-and-a-half hours the film really needs more meat on its bones.

Rated: 2.5/5

Aug 24, 2022

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

This is a merely average film that had much more potential.

Rated: 2.0/4.0

Sep 15, 2020

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Fernando Lopez

La Nación (Argentina)

A film that ends up being tedious due to its excessive duration, annoying by its formal lack of control. [Full Review in Spanish]

Apr 17, 2019

Full Review

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Ronald L

IS IT POSSIBLE THAT OVER 400.000 REVIEWS GET IT WRONG...TRUST ME: WE ARE NOT! For a criticus it is most important that their opinion differs from what the mass is saying: That is the only way to stand out. Boy..what are they wrong on this movie. Great character built up, great camera work, grabbing scenario with top notch action and above all: Denzel & Dakota pull you right in. This is a movie that you do not watch from the outside but it pulls you in!! For once: Be the judge of this movie yourself and you will not regret it! One of my favorites. My personal cv: 1) Over 10.000 movies watched over 50 years. 2) Big film fan. 3) Keen eye for quality 4) And yes: every once and a while i like to challenge " the critics "

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/14/25

Full Review

Nick C

Terrific - top notch. emotional but great action and story. hugely entertaining

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/13/25

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Ben L

We loved it! Denzel is Gawd! I didn’t realize that Equalizer 3 was a reunion between the GOAT and Dakota Fanning! How did we miss that!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/07/25

Full Review

neel w

It brings me great pleasure to love a movie that most of the movie critic snobs can’t stand. Denzel and Dakota have amazing chemistry in this movie. It’s a credit to the direction and writing that this film can be both dark and extremely tender. My experience tell me if the critics hate it, I’ll probably love it. That’s the only use they seem to have.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/07/25

Full Review

Matt C

One of the greatest revenge films of all time. It might even be the best. An awesome story, unique executions, and a powerful performance by Denzel.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/31/25

Full Review

Chris H

This is the second greatest movie of all time. Denzel, Christopher Walken, the action, the soundtrack… every part is phenomenal. I am on the edge of my seat every time I watch and forget getting anything done while this movie is on. “A man can be an artist... in anything, food, whatever. It depends on how good he is at it. Creasey's art is death. He's about to paint his masterpiece.”

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/07/25

Full Review

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Tony Scott

Director

Denzel Washington

Creasy

Dakota Fanning

Pita

Christopher Walken

Rayburn

Giancarlo Giannini

Manzano

Radha Mitchell

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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: Crime, Drama
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)

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