The crime thriller has been labelled a ‘masterpiece’ by fans who believe it went ignored when first released
A crime thriller hailed as a ‘masterpiece’ by some, yet seemingly overlooked upon its initial release, is now available for streaming at no cost.
The film in question, Law Abiding Citizen, first graced the big screen back in 2009 and managed to rake in over double its production budget at the box office. The movie grossed approximately $128 million against a budget of $53 million.
Despite this, some argue that it doesn’t receive the recognition it deserves when compared to other films within its genre. The script was penned by Kurt Wimmer, who also wrote the remakes of Point Break and Total Recall.
Wimmer is also the creative force behind the 2024 cult action favourite, The Beekeeper, featuring Jason Statham. The directorial reins were held by F. Gary Gray, known for his work on Straight Outta Compton, The Fate of the Furious and Men In Black: International, reports the Mirror.
Fans still praise the performances of Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx (Image: Overture)
According to the film’s synopsis, the plot revolves around Clyde Shelton, portrayed by Gerard Butler. Shelton is a former CIA engineer whose family falls victim to a brutal home invasion resulting in their murder.
However, due to police mishandling crucial evidence, a plea bargain is struck, allowing one of the murderers to walk free. This prompts Shelton to take justice into his own hands.
His quest for vengeance isn’t solely directed at the killers, but also at what he perceives as the corrupt justice system that enabled the deal.
He takes control of the situation himself, methodically targeting everyone connected to the case, pulling assistant district attorney Nick Rice, portrayed by Jamie Foxx, into a perilous game of cat-and-mouse in an attempt to halt his vendetta.
Those unfamiliar with the film, or fans eager to revisit it, can now watch it at no additional charge. For a limited period, the title is available to stream free on ITVX. As it’s not currently available on any other platform, viewers are encouraged to watch it whilst they have the opportunity.
Whilst Law Abiding Citizen didn’t win over critics, one reviewer described it as ‘Saw but with Gerard Butler as Jigsaw’, which might actually appeal to certain audiences. Since hitting screens, numerous fans have argued the film hasn’t received the recognition it warrants, drawing comparisons to other titles regarded as classics.
It is now streaming for free(Image: Jon Baer)
One viewer argued: “Whereas David Fincher’s Seven received accolades, this masterpiece went unnoticed. This film counts as among the best movies I have ever seen. It is a solid revenge based thriller, with tense drama and terrific performances by Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx.”
Numerous others echoed these sentiments, with one fan simply declaring: “‘Law Abiding Citizen is a top 10 movie of all time.” Another commented: ‘Law Abiding Citizen is almost a classic film and it’s performance by Gerard Butler is Oscar-worthy.”
Meanwhile, another viewer stated: “Law Abiding Citizen is one of the greatest movies ever made. Real cinema” whilst someone else suggested: “this is one of the best films ever made.”
Law Abiding Citizen is streaming on ITVX.
