Is Law Abiding Citizen Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, Law Abiding Citizen is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies.
It features a runtime of 109 minutes and offers a solid storyline that appeals to mature audiences.
Law Abiding Citizen Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 2009, Law Abiding Citizen emerges as a significant entry in the Drama, Crime, Thriller domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of A frustrated man decides to take justice into his own hands after a plea bargain sets one of his family's killers free. Unlike standard genre fare, Law Abiding Citizen attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a refreshing take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Law Abiding Citizen features a noteworthy lineup led by Jamie Foxx . Supported by the likes of Gerard Butler and Colm Meaney , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Law Abiding Citizen (2009) is overwhelmingly positive. With an audience rating of 7.4/10, it stands as a mandatory watch for any serious cinema lover.
Law Abiding Citizen Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Law Abiding Citizen is a Drama, Crime, Thriller film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through nuanced character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. A frustrated man decides to take justice into his own hands after a plea bargain sets one of his family's killers free. He targets not only the killer but also the district attorney and others involved in the deal. The screenplay takes time to develop its characters, allowing audiences to connect emotionally with their struggles and triumphs. Each scene builds upon the last, creating a cumulative emotional impact.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: We meet the main character in their ordinary world, establishing the emotional baseline before the inciting incident disrupts their life.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The emotional climax brings character arcs to their natural conclusion, providing catharsis while staying true to the story's themes.
Thematic Depth
The film delves into universal human experiences—love, loss, identity, and belonging. It holds up a mirror to society, asking difficult questions about morality, choice, and consequence.
What Works & What Doesn't
✅ Strengths
- Solid execution of genre conventions
- Engaging moments that showcase the filmmakers' vision
- Competent performances from the cast
⚠️ Weaknesses
- Some narrative choices that feel predictable
- Occasional pacing lulls in the middle act
Law Abiding Citizen Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: Law Abiding Citizen resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to drama resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Law Abiding Citizen reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Law Abiding Citizen Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Law Abiding Citizen incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a drama, crime, thriller film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film balances historical fidelity with cinematic storytelling. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
The production demonstrates respect for its source material, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: Law Abiding Citizen adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch Law Abiding Citizen?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Law Abiding Citizen Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $53.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $127.9M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Law Abiding Citizen Budget
The estimated production budget for Law Abiding Citizen is $53.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
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Full Cast & Crew of Law Abiding Citizen
- Jamie Foxx – Nick Rice
- Gerard Butler – Clyde Alexander Shelton
- Colm Meaney – Detective Dunnigan
- Bruce McGill – Jonas Cantrell
- Leslie Bibb – Sarah Lowell
Top Highlights
Jamie FoxxNick Rice
Gerard ButlerClyde Alexander Shelton
Colm MeaneyDetective Dunnigan
Bruce McGillJonas Cantrell
Leslie BibbSarah Lowell
Michael IrbyDetective Garza
Gregory ItzinWarden Iger
Regina HallKelly Rice
Emerald-Angel YoungDenise Rice
Brooke Stacy MillsClyde's Wife
Where to Watch Law Abiding Citizen Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Lionsgate Play Apple TV Channel
Lionsgate Play Amazon ChannelParents Guide & Age Rating
Law Abiding Citizen is rated R. Parents should be aware that it contains mature themes, violence. It is intended for mature audiences only.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 7.4/10, and global collection metrics, Law Abiding Citizen stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2009 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Law Abiding Citizen movie hit or flop?
Law Abiding Citizen is considered a hit based on audience response and box office performance. With a rating of 7.4/10, it's highly recommended for fans of Drama, Crime, Thriller movies.
Is Law Abiding Citizen worth watching?
Yes, Law Abiding Citizen is definitely worth watching! It's a must-watch hit for fans of Drama, Crime, Thriller cinema.
Where can I watch Law Abiding Citizen online?
Law Abiding Citizen is currently available for streaming on Lionsgate Play Apple TV Channel. You can also check for it on platforms like Lionsgate Play Apple TV Channel, Lionsgate Play Amazon Channel depending on your region.
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Critic Reviews for Law Abiding Citizen
You can’t fight fate. Right? Gerard Butler stars as Clyde Shelton, a man forced to not only watch his wife and daughter be raped and murdered in his own home, but to also have to sit there and watch the justice system fail him. So he wages a one man war against pretty much everyone involved. Hoo-Hah! The big hitting critics hated it, with comments ranging from it being sub-normal, preposterous, ugly and morally corrupt, to it being a comic book film of moral hectoring! Naturally, as the critics were at pains to point out that it would, it made a pot load at the box office and is generally well liked by a good portion of the action/revenge/thriller loving populace. There’s always a big grey area with revenge/vigilante movies that really brings out the debate crowd, but what rarely gets said is that through the actions of these cinematic waste layers is the chance for many, many, folk to live vicariously. Yes! 99% of the common man and woman do indeed sit back and trust our respective legal systems to do what’s right and just, but oh how we feel that given similar circumstances we would want to vent spleen with furious anger. Law Abiding Citizen is a riot, at its heart it does have something to say, even asking some pertinent questions. Do these social smarts come bursting through the bloody haze to make a point? No, they get submerged in a whirl of kinetic fury and socko violence, but they are there, caustically so. But hey! For shocks, twists and outrageous set-pieces, this picture rocks the big one. Vicarious living through cinema – wonderful. 8/10
Not the ending I wanted Some movies you want the bad guy to win and this is one of them. There's a few things missing here, like the setup that Clyde is really this smart inventor guy leading a double life. That could've used some secret door behind a front working in a lab kind of shots. And that Nick Rice is actually smarter, cause he wasn't. Other than that, it does keep you on your toes, mostly to see what Clyde comes up with and how he's going to fix the broken justice system.
movieMx Verified
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
