The Foreigner

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The Foreigner

R

Released Oct 13, 2017

1h 54m

Action

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

66%

Tomatometer

124 Reviews

72%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Quan is a humble London businessman whose long-buried past erupts in a revenge-fueled vendetta when the only person left for him to love -- his teenage daughter -- dies in a senseless act of politically motivated terrorism. His relentless search to find the terrorists leads to a cat-and-mouse conflict with a British government official whose own past may hold the clues to the identities of the elusive killers.

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Critics Consensus

The Foreigner adheres strictly to action thriller formula, but benefits from committed -- and out of character -- performances from its talented veteran stars.

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Marc Savlov

Austin Chronicle

The Foreigner could've used less of Brosnan's bombast, frankly, and more of the mysterious Mr. Quan, but this dark-edged little razor blade of a film is ultimately a satisfying comeback for Chan. More, please.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 27, 2017

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Donald Clarke

Irish Times

The scene in which Chan beats up David Pearse and Michael McElhatton through three floors of a Belfast B&B in itself justifies your attention.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 16, 2017

Full Review

Andrea Gronvall

Chicago Reader

Martin Campbell directed this twisty, bracing political thriller, giving Chan room to display his dramatic ability and letting Brosnan flesh out a vigorous, complex character who's surrounded by frenemies with secrets of their own.

Oct 19, 2017

Full Review

Grant Watson

Fiction Machine

It is a superb film for Jackie Chan, who really needs to flex his dramatic muscles more often.

Rated: 7/10

Sep 26, 2022

Full Review

Howard Gorman

NME (New Musical Express)

Jackie Chan puts in his finest performance to date in this bracing political thriller that gave him the chance to prove both his acting and karate chops.

Jun 11, 2021

Full Review

Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

Not a memorable movie but it is a welcome return to the action genre for Chan and Brosnan after too long a time away.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 1, 2021

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Christopher S

There is no real ending, otherwise a great film but it feels like they ran over budget and the studio released it anyway

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

03/28/25

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Christian F

Never seen an more intriguing movie ruined by stupid karate or kung fu or what ever… wtf do you need Jackie Chan for. It could have been a great political, crime thriller, but some thought we need a stupid martial arts element. One of the worst movies I have ever seen and prove that Jackie Chan is not made for serious movies

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/08/25

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Chris B

I cannot recommend this enough to lovers of action films with a bit of intrigue and political history. Brilliant performances also.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/08/25

Full Review

Ralph R

The Foreigner (2017) is an intense mix of action and political thriller, with Jackie Chan stepping into a more serious and dramatic role than usual. The plot follows a grieving father seeking justice, but instead of the straightforward revenge story you might expect, it leans into a complex web of political intrigue. This shift adds depth but also slows the pacing at times, making it feel like two different movies competing for attention. The directing by Martin Campbell is solid, keeping the tension high, but the balance between action and drama doesn’t always hit perfectly. The cinematography is grounded, with a darker, more realistic tone that fits the story well, though it lacks any particularly standout visual moments. Jackie Chan delivers one of his best dramatic performances, showing vulnerability alongside his usual action skills, while Pierce Brosnan gives a strong performance as a conflicted political figure. The action sequences are brutal and effective, favoring realism over flashy choreography, which works for the film’s tone. The script is decent, though some parts feel underdeveloped, especially when juggling the personal and political elements. The score does its job without being particularly memorable, keeping the tension in check. Overall, The Foreigner is a well-made thriller with great performances and solid action, but it might leave you wanting a bit more from its story.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/07/25

Full Review

Audience Member

The Foreigner takes itself way too seriously to be a good action movie (besides, there's not much action). And it's too dumb to be a good thriller - while rejecting any moral center, to boot.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

01/04/25

Full Review

Lee J D

Great casting, which added depth to a captivating thriller. Jackie Chan excellent as was Pierce Brosnan. Two adversaries with troubled pasts. A good story, fine acting and believable characters. Well worth a watch.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/18/24

Full Review

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The Foreigner: TV Spot - Face of the Fight

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The Foreigner: Final Trailer

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The Foreigner: TV Spot - Don't Count On It

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The Foreigner: Trailer 1

2:08

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Synopsis

Quan is a humble London businessman whose long-buried past erupts in a revenge-fueled vendetta when the only person left for him to love -- his teenage daughter -- dies in a senseless act of politically motivated terrorism. His relentless search to find the terrorists leads to a cat-and-mouse conflict with a British government official whose own past may hold the clues to the identities of the elusive killers.

Director: Martin Campbell
Producer: Jackie Chan, Wayne Marc Godfrey, Arthur M. Sarkissian, Qi Jianhong, Claire Kupchak, John Zeng, D. Scott Lumpkin, Jamie Marshall, Cathy Schulman
Screenwriter: David Marconi
Distributor: STX Entertainment
Production Co: The Fyzz Facility, Arthur Sarkissian Productions
Rating: R (Some Sexual Material|Language|Violence)
Genre: Action, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 13, 2017, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 26, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $34.4M
Runtime: 1h 54m
Sound Mix: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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