Redbelt

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Redbelt

R

Released May 9, 2008

1h 39m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

68%

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145 Reviews

65%

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10,000+ Ratings

Martial artist Mike Terry (Chiwetel Ejiofor) lives by a strict code of no competitions, for he feels that such contests weaken fighters. After saving a famous action star (Tim Allen) from a brutal attack, Mike takes a job in the film industry. He soon finds his personal beliefs and integrity on the line as circumstances force him to participate in a prize fight.

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Critics Consensus

Mamet's mixed marital arts morality play weaves between action and intellect but doesn't always hit its target.

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Anthony Quinn

Independent (UK)

Redbelt, his latest, is a curious one, a movie that hints at greatness only to retreat, unpardonably, into genre convention.

Rated: 2/5

Sep 26, 2008

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Nigel Andrews

Financial Times

The Mamet rhythms are pleasingly in place: the repetition-rich dialogue, the head-butting close-ups as men go ego to ego.

Sep 26, 2008

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David Gritten

Daily Telegraph (UK)

Emily Mortimer is impressive as a jittery, unlikable attorney whose impulsive actions trigger Mike's descent. But it's Ejiofor's film all the way.

Sep 26, 2008

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

It's a solid involving story with a perfect ensemble cast and the usual pedigree associated with David Mamet's involvement in a film. I see more samurai than noir to this film's edge and style, but the elements are there for both.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 28, 2025

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Mamet explores unfamiliar genre territory for him [...] by elevating the material, leading to a profound (albeit brief) solution, several great performances, and, of course, matchless writing.

Rated: 3.5/4

Dec 28, 2024

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

The first third of the film is a confusing mess of character introductions and details that are seemingly trivial and unrelated.

Rated: 4/10

Nov 28, 2020

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e u

An amazing narrative on the banality of greed and control and the destruction therein, and what it takes (often sacrifice) to be a fighter and oppose those forces. whether you have admiration for martial arts, its spirit or just examinations of human nature, David Mamet has delivered a moving masterpiece, in my humble opinion.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/24/23

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Audience Member

Ejiofor is amazing here. He lights up the screen as this honor-bound sensei that's just trying to do right by everyone, only to be constantly having his kindness taken advantage of.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/26/22

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Audience Member

this was great, but the ending could have had a little more oomph too it. by the time the fight ended i went to look at the timestamp and realized the movie was done, but there were still tons of loose ends to tie up. there were few to no issues with the existing parts of the film, but i felt that it would do very well with an additional 15 minutes or so to confront some of the antagonists in a more emphasized way.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

Full Review

Audience Member

It teases you into thinking it will be a good insight into the world of jiujitsu, but no. It's like whoever's wrote it had one lesson of BJJ and then googled random martial arts terms. Kudos for having real legends of Martial arts in the movie, but the filler of having tim allen as the bad guy actor and the always fingers on a blackboard actor Ricky Jay is a painful slog. Save yourself hours that you will never get back and watch Born a Champion instead.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

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Audience Member

This was one of the most simple & ordinary movies I had ever watched. It barely gets by as a film.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

Captivating despite murky exposition.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/24/23

Full Review

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David Mamet

Director

Chiwetel Ejiofor

Mike Terry

Tim Allen

Frank

Emily Mortimer

Laura Black

Ricky Jay

Marty Brown

Randy Couture

Dylan Flynn

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Synopsis

Martial artist Mike Terry (Chiwetel Ejiofor) lives by a strict code of no competitions, for he feels that such contests weaken fighters. After saving a famous action star (Tim Allen) from a brutal attack, Mike takes a job in the film industry. He soon finds his personal beliefs and integrity on the line as circumstances force him to participate in a prize fight.

Director: David Mamet
Producer: Chrisann Verges
Screenwriter: David Mamet
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: Sony Pictures Classics
Rating: R (Strong Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 9, 2008, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 1, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.3M
Runtime: 1h 39m

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