Common Sense Media Review
By James Rocchi
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violent vengeance thriller has lots of bloody brutality.
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Law Abiding Citizen
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 17 parent reviews
Parents say this film, while featuring strong performances and a slick presentation, often falters due to its ludicrous plot and excessive violence, making it difficult for viewers to take it seriously. Many reviewers agree that although the film has moments of entertainment and action, it is ultimately marred by a convoluted storyline and a disappointing ending, making it more suitable for mature audiences.
- plot issues
- excessive violence
- strong performances
- mixed reviews
- adult themes
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 14 kid reviews
What's the Story?
In Philadelphia, thugs invade the home of engineer Clyde Shelton (Gerard Butler), killing his wife and daughter. Ambitious prosecutor Nick Rice (Jamie Foxx), worried about his conviction record -- and the possibility of the killers walking -- cuts a deal that earns one criminal the death penalty and another a light three-year sentence. Ten years later, starting with the lethal injection of the sentenced criminal, Clyde is waiting with a plan to punish the guilty -- and the lawyers and judges who let the deal happen. Can Nick unravel Clyde's deadly plan before his own life is forfeit in the name of justice?
Is It Any Good?
Ludicrous and over pumped, LAW ABIDING CITIZEN is an overdone thriller that also has some real shocks and a couple of nasty surprises. Director F. Gary Gray (The Italian Job, The Negotiator) has the flash and enthusiasm to make this kind of film and the other diversions that have made up his career, but watching him flail for deeper meaning and social commentary is a bit of a strain. Foxx is decent and tortured; Butler is an appropriately regretful sociopath until the film's third act, when he has to kick the homicide up a notch to drive the film toward its climax.
As a new-millennium spin on films like Death Wish or Taxi Driver, Law Abiding Citizen works well when it keeps to the simple kinetic energy of the action; Clyde's machinations are just one step removed from the four-color outlandishness of a comic book evil genius. Gray assembles the bits and pieces of Kurt Wimmer's script with competent mechanics, but he falters when he tries to connect the action set pieces with a plot that makes sense or doesn't kick against the limits of plausibility. Law Abiding Citizen has its moments, but those moments don't have a movie.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the movie's violence. How does the impact of the violence here compare to that of "torture porn" horror movies like Saw? Which is more upsetting, and why?
Where's the line between vigilante justice and cold-blooded murder? Are we supposed to admire Clyde when he kills criminals, but not when he kills people at the district attorney's office?
What's the difference between "justice" and "law"? Do plea bargains and other deals keep the mechanism of justice tunning smoothly or divert it from its true intent?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 16, 2009
- On DVD or streaming : February 16, 2010
- Cast : Colm Meaney , Gerard Butler , Jamie Foxx
- Director : F. Gary Gray
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Director(s) , African American Movie Director(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Overture Films
- Genre : Thriller
- Topics : Activism ( Civic engagement ) , Family Stories
- Run time : 102 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong bloody brutal violence and torture, a scene of rape, and pervasive language
- Last updated : September 5, 2025
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