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Shadowboxer

Play trailer Poster for Shadowboxer R 2005 1h 33m Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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17% Tomatometer 58 Reviews 38% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Rose (Helen Mirren) is a highly efficient contract killer, and her stepson, Mikey (Cuba Gooding Jr.), shares her profession and her bed. Learning she has terminal cancer, she determines to carry out one last hit, but her plans go awry when she discovers her next target is her latest employer's (Stephen Dorff) pregnant wife (Vanessa Ferlito).
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Shadowboxer

Shadowboxer

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Critics Consensus

With random characters and a preposterous plot, this bizarre thriller might leave you with your mouth hanging open in disbelief.

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Critics Reviews

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J. R. Jones Chicago Reader Cuba Gooding Jr. continues his sad descent from Oscar-winning actor (Jerry Maguire) to walking punch line with this absurd drama... Jul 13, 2022 Full Review Amy Nicholson I.E. Weekly Aaron Spelling may be slapping his forehead, but a few cemetary plots over, 1950's melodrama king Douglas Sirk is smiling. Rated: C Feb 1, 2009 Full Review Peter Howell Toronto Star Thumbs down to a movie of such vile and violent temper. Rated: 1.5/4 Aug 25, 2006 Full Review Alberto Abuín Espinof Show off and almost absurd scenes result in a lazy movie. [Full Review in Spanish] Feb 15, 2020 Full Review Mieka Strawhorn Pajiba The movie is bad, y'all. Like real bad. But, I still find a number of reasons to recommend it. Aug 3, 2018 Full Review Michael Dequina TheMovieReport.com The raw materials for a gutsy, gritty, fearless, fascinating thriller are here, but they amount to some intriguing individual parts and not a satisfying, cohesive whole. Rated: 2.5/4 Aug 26, 2007 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (535) audience reviews
c v That Lee Daniels madness ! Of course this had to open with a woman getting rocked. "Shadowboxer" is about just becoming that in the shadows that overtake life and become cycles. There was bad decisions made in the film, such as Rose not delivering the baby and dropping it off at a fire station as opposed to saving her hit. Or the fact that Rose ended up killing Cuba's character's father (deliberately)£ and mother (inadvertantly) and walked around making love to the man she made an orphan. Rose was possibly the biggest villain in the entire film, but the way Mirren portrays her with her patented charm one can only walk away with that realization and be glad while the film is running that she's getting dug out on her deathbed while Nas & Eminem play in the background. Rape at the beginning, illegitimate children, yeah this is a Daniel's movie but it breathes the spirit of an action thriller so it's hard to tell. Shadowboxer is an overlooked gem filled with action, hip-hop, and a top tier cast delivering a message to overcome the animalistic nature of trauma found in all human cycles while the guns blaze in the background. - Audiomack.com/cvrthebard Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review georgan g Quite a bizarre plot with plenty of action. Violence being passed to the next generation is at least honest. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Brutal violence and too long.... Rated 1 out of 5 stars 02/16/23 Full Review Audience Member I really enjoyed this film, and can't see why it got so low ratings Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/23/23 Full Review Audience Member Inane plot without a laugh track. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review Audience Member complex relationships. not an action movie. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/14/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Shadowboxer

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Cast & Crew

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Lee Daniels

Director

Helen Mirren

Rose

Cuba Gooding Jr.

Mikey

Stephen Dorff

Clayton

Vanessa Ferlito

Vickie

Mo'Nique

Precious

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Shadowboxer

A scene from the film "Shadowboxer." Director Lee Daniels. A scene from the film "Shadowboxer." A scene from the film "Shadowboxer." A scene from the film "Shadowboxer." A scene from the film "Shadowboxer." A scene from the film "Shadowboxer." A scene from the film "Shadowboxer." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Rose (Helen Mirren) is a highly efficient contract killer, and her stepson, Mikey (Cuba Gooding Jr.), shares her profession and her bed. Learning she has terminal cancer, she determines to carry out one last hit, but her plans go awry when she discovers her next target is her latest employer's (Stephen Dorff) pregnant wife (Vanessa Ferlito).
Director
Lee Daniels
Producer
Lee Daniels, Damon Dash, Lisa Cortes, Brook Lenfest, David Robinson
Screenwriter
Will Rokos
Production Co
Lee Daniels Entertainment
Rating
R (Some Drug Use|Nudity|Language|Strong Graphic Sexuality|Strong Graphic Violence)
Genre
Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Jul 21, 2006
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 5, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$370.6K
Runtime
1h 33m
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