The Book of Eli

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The Book of Eli

R

Released Jan 15, 2010

1h 52m

Adventure

Action

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

46%

Tomatometer

207 Reviews

64%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Thirty years after war turned the world into a wasteland, a lone warrior named Eli marches across the ruined landscape, carrying hope for humanity's redemption. Only one other man understands the power of what Eli carries and he is determined to take it for himself. Though Eli prefers peace, he must risk death to protect his precious cargo, to fulfill his destiny to help restore mankind.

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Critics Consensus

It's certainly uneven, and many viewers will find that its reach exceeds its grasp, but The Book of Eli finds the Hughes brothers injecting some fresh stylish fun into the kind of post-apocalyptic wasteland filmgoers have seen more than enough of lately.

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Ed Koch

The Atlantic

This picture is one big waste of time, including that of the actors and those in the audience who pay to see it.

Jan 16, 2018

Full Review

Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

The Book Of Eli is just one hot mess with choppy biblical undertones... The filmmakers just tried to get too deep with something that was not fully developed.

Rated: D+

Sep 11, 2017

Full Review

Dwight Brown

National Newspaper Publishers Association

Post-apocalypse films are a dime a dozen, so what makes The Book of Eli so different? Not much, except an evangelical subplot that is not strong enough to be this film's savior.

Rated: 1.5/4

Nov 8, 2016

Full Review

Sharai Bohannon

A Nightmare On Fierce Street Podcast

This is too predictable and unfun to be worth most of these actors time. Denzel Washington gives a performance worth noting, but it's not enough to save the movie from itself.

Rated: 2/5

May 23, 2025

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

The most admirable aspect of the production is its use of Washington in a samurai-esque role.

Rated: 2.5/4

Aug 25, 2023

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Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

A violent action spectacle. [Full review in Spanish]

Oct 26, 2022

Full Review

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Pinwhistle 9

Don't listen to these stupid critics that wouldn't know a good movie if it hit them in a face if you're looking for a good time with lots of violence and action set in a post-apocalyptic mad Max esk environment this is the movie for you quite enjoyable once again all these quote on quote professional critics are stuck up assholes 10/10

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/05/25

Full Review

Hughe J

The Book of Eli was released in theatres in 2010 and stars Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman, Mila Kunis and Ray Stevenson. The movie is set in post apocalyptic America where society as we know it is gone and people prey on each other. Enter Washington who plays a lone wanderer who encounters a town run by Oldman and his gang. Washington is found to possess a rare book which Oldman wants and more action scenes unfold as Washington now joined by Kunis attempt to escape. This was a really well made movie and it's a shame it didn't do better in theatres. Denzel Washington turns in an excellent performance, as does Gary Oldman, and the action scenes feature practical effects and Washington reportedly did all of his own fight scenes. The score of the movie was also quite good and really added to the mood of the film. Overall I really enjoyed Washington and Oldman's performances and definitely recommend this movie.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/24/25

Full Review

Griffith J.

It all hangs on one concept that is not well executed. Luckily, the bleak world building, saturated look, & brutal Western tone save it. A great score, powerful performances, bold themes, & an excellent use of silhouettes.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/14/25

Full Review

mop h

Spoilers! Would have given it 5 stars except for that last part where she becomes the lone traveller. Feels like a hastily pasted on, test audience reaction cop out.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/02/25

Full Review

Fred T

Absolutely loved this movie. Cannot fault it. One of the best ive ever seen. Thought it slipped into a tiresome trope and was pleasantly surprised. Watch if u havent.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/28/25

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Stephen C

Wonderful drama in 1 hour and 52 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/30/25

Full Review

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Allen Hughes

Director

Albert Hughes

Director

Denzel Washington

Eli

Gary Oldman

Carnegie

Mila Kunis

Solara

Ray Stevenson

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Synopsis

Thirty years after war turned the world into a wasteland, a lone warrior named Eli marches across the ruined landscape, carrying hope for humanity's redemption. Only one other man understands the power of what Eli carries and he is determined to take it for himself. Though Eli prefers peace, he must risk death to protect his precious cargo, to fulfill his destiny to help restore mankind.

Director: Allen Hughes, Albert Hughes
Producer: Joel Silver, Denzel Washington, Broderick Johnson, Andrew A. Kosove, David Valdes
Screenwriter: Gary Whitta
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Silver Pictures
Rating: R (Some Brutal Violence|Language)
Genre: Adventure, Action, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 15, 2010, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 15, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $94.8M
Runtime: 1h 52m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS

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