The Samaritan

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The Samaritan

R

2012

1h 33m

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

26%

Tomatometer

34 Reviews

40%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

After many years in prison, a former grifter (Samuel L. Jackson) tries to go straight, but the son (Luke Kirby) of his former partner insists on learning the game and relieving a feared gangster (Tom Wilkinson) of $8 million.

Critics Consensus

The Samaritan is a ludicrous neo-noir starring a seemingly bored Samuel L. Jackson.

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Diego Semerene

Slant Magazine

It packs its narrative with a succession of increasingly clichd twists, one of which involves the sudden recognition that its main character, Foley (Samuel L. Jackson), is romantically involved with his own daughter.

Rated: 1/4

May 19, 2012

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Jeannette Catsoulis

New York Times

[Jackson's] doleful revenant is in almost every scene, and this hardworking actor seems to know that the film around him should be a light-footed caper instead of a grim noir with a side order of deviance.

Rated: 2/5

May 18, 2012

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Rick Groen

Globe and Mail

A scripted clich: the ex-con who wants to go straight until the plot kicks in.

Rated: 2/4

May 18, 2012

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Amie Simon

Three Imaginary Girls

The movie then had a bunch of interesting directions it could have gone, but unfortunately it relies on a few lame resolutions, followed by an unsatisfying and ridiculous ending.

Mar 4, 2019

Full Review

Amon Warmann

CineVue

The strong performances of the cast do well to elevate The Samaritan, but there's not much more to take away from this mildly entertaining crime thriller.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 8, 2019

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

The Samaritan benefits substantially from the inclusion of a shocking turn in the narrative at around the halfway point...

Rated: 2.5/4

Jul 26, 2013

Full Review

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Georgan G

3.24 stars. A solid crime thriller with a big twist. Samuel L. Jackson plays a con who wants to go straight but runs in to complicated issues that "force" him to do one last con.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/10/24

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Emilliano S

Predictable. I got the 'staight to dvd film vibe' from reading the synopsis alone

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

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Audience Member

Samuel Jackson is a former grifter that's roped back into the scene. For me, it all went dumb dumpster when he finds out that he's romantically involved with his daughter. Gross. Bye.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I like Ruth Negga, I like Sam Jackson, problem is I also like Park-Chan-Wook and this movie stole too much from oldboy for me to rate it any higher than a poor ripoff of a classic movie.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The acting was weak and made the characters less believable.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

05/19/18

Full Review

dude m

jackson's character finds out he's humped his own daughter. case closed.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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David Weaver

Director

Samuel L. Jackson

Foley

Luke Kirby

Ethan

Ruth Negga

Iris

Tom Wilkinson

Xavier

Deborah Kara Unger

Helena

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Synopsis

After many years in prison, a former grifter (Samuel L. Jackson) tries to go straight, but the son (Luke Kirby) of his former partner insists on learning the game and relieving a feared gangster (Tom Wilkinson) of $8 million.

Director: David Weaver
Producer: Andras Hamori, Suzanne Cheriton, David Weaver, Elan Mastai, Tony Wosk
Screenwriter: David Weaver, Elan Mastai
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: H2O Motion Pictures, Eggplant Picture & Sound
Rating: R (Language|Drug Use|Some Sexuality|Strong Violence)
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 18, 2012, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 30, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.7K
Runtime: 1h 33m

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