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Action thriller

Absolution (2024): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Absolution (2024) movie poster

Absolution is a 2024 action thriller directed by Hans Petter Moland, starring Liam Neeson, Ron Perlman and Tom Kemp. It runs 1 hour 52 minutes and earned $4 million worldwide on a $30 million budget. Critics gave it 51 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.2/10.

IMDb rating
5.2/10
worldwide gross
$4M
Echo Score
48
Metascore
51
Absolution (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 52m (112 min)
Genres
Action , Crime , Mystery , Thriller
Original language
English
Budget
$30M
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is Absolution About?

The premise of Absolution without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

A fading mafia boss desperately tries to reconnect with his estranged family. While attempting to dismantle a rival gang, he discovers it's far more difficult to escape the criminal underworld and build a new life.

Absolution Themes & Keywords

· 14 tags
  • american film directed by norwegian director
  • gangster crime
  • one word title
  • memory loss
  • neo noir
  • mixed race child
  • grandfather grandson relationship
  • chronic traumatic encephalopathy
  • interracial relationship
  • abusive father
  • father daughter relationship
  • mob enforcer
+2 more
  • interracial romance
  • male protagonist
Cast & crew

Absolution Cast & Characters

Liam Neeson leads the cast, with Ron Perlman and Tom Kemp as Burt. Directed by Hans Petter Moland; 15 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Absolution Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Absolution 51 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 48/100, strongest in art & craft (60) and weakest in rewatch factor (30).

48 /100

Absolution Echo Score Breakdown

Absolution delivers a moody aesthetic and a solid lead performance but is undermined by a formulaic narrative and inconsistent pacing. The visual presentation and Hans Petter Moland’s measured direction earn praise for their atmospheric grit and tonal cohesion. However, critics commonly point to a largely cliché screenplay that rehashes familiar action tropes and slows under its loose structure. Overall, the film emerges as a mixed outing that may satisfy dedicated genre viewers but offers limited lasting resonance.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 60

    In terms of art and craft, the film’s visual design and direction offer a consistently moody atmosphere but reveal a lack of visual dynamism. The grainy New England setting and measured compositions are praised for their tonal coherence and gritty aesthetic. Yet some observers find the palette overly drab and underutilized in key sequences. Overall, the visual approach is distinctive but uneven.

  • Character & Emotion 50

    When it comes to character and emotion, the film features a committed central performance but provides limited depth across its ensemble. Liam Neeson’s portrayal is frequently noted for its nuance and the genuine weariness he brings. Meanwhile, several supporting figures exhibit authentic moments but suffer from underdeveloping and a lack of convincing chemistry. Overall, the cast offers brief resonance without sustained emotional engagement.

  • Story & Flow 40

    In terms of story and flow, the film struggles with a formulaic structure and uneven pacing. Critics point to familiar action tropes and loose narrative threads that slow momentum and undermine cohesion. Although occasional shifts in tone offer a brief sense of freshness, these moments are overshadowed by dragging sequences and predictable developments. Overall, the plot frequently feels rehashed and fails to sustain engagement.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    In terms of sensory experience, the film offers an atmospheric soundtrack and solid sound design but varies in visual impact. The moody score and crisp audio cues consistently reinforce the somber tone and heighten dramatic sequences. At the same time, a muted lighting palette and toned-down cinematography sometimes yield indistinct imagery. Overall, the audio atmosphere is strong, while visual clarity is intermittently compromised.

  • Rewatch Factor 30

    Regarding rewatch factor, the film’s limited originality and uneven pacing diminish its long-term appeal. Many observers describe the narrative as forgettable and note that its repetitive tropes reduce incentive for repeat viewings. Although the lead performance retains a degree of interest, supporting elements and structure lack the depth needed for ongoing engagement. Overall, the film offers minimal replay value beyond an initial watch.

Plot

Absolution Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Absolution from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

A retired aging mobster and boxer known as Thug works for Gangster Charlie Connor, alongside Charlie’s son Kyle, who is still learning the ropes and trying to master the tricks of the trade. Thug guides Kyle through the rough world of transferring goods and the murky details surrounding them, all while staying firmly on the margins of legality. Thug lives alone, and for a long while, his memory has been failing him; soon he is diagnosed with CTE, with the grim prognosis that dementia will erase the things he once relied on within a short span of time.

Full summary

The whole story of Absolution, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Absolution Box Office & Budget

Absolution grossed $4 million worldwide on a $30 million budget, 13% of what it cost. $2.7 million came from the US and Canada and $1.3 million (33%) from the rest of the world.

2024 box office

Worldwide gross

$4M

13% of its budget back

US & Canada
$2.7M
International
$1.3M
Budget
$30M
US & Canada 67% Rest of the world 33%
Videos

Absolution Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 clip.

Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official UK Trailer
  • Clip 10 Minute Extended Preview
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Absolution?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name given to the retired aging mobster and boxer who serves as the protagonist?

Cars

Cars in Absolution

28 cars on screen, including the 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu and the Freightliner Business Class M2 106.

All 28 cars
  • 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu in Absolution 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu Main role
  • Freightliner Business Class M2 106 in Absolution Freightliner Business Class M2 106 Important role
  • 2021 Tesla Model S in Absolution 2021 Tesla Model S Important role
  • 2021 Dodge Challenger in Absolution 2021 Dodge Challenger Minor role
Details

Absolution Also Known As

27 alternative titles, including “Thugs” and “Thug”.

Also known as
  • Thugs
  • Thug
  • Implacable
  • بخشایش
  • آمرزش
  • Absolución
  • Прощення
  • Absolution - Everyone pays in the end
  • 惡棍父親
  • Absolvição
  • Último Alvo
  • Absolution: Storia Criminale
+15 more
  • Спокута гріхів
  • 恶棍父亲
  • Профессионал
  • คนสันดานเดือด
  • אין מחילה
  • Rozgrzeszenie
  • Atpildas
  • Feloldozás
  • Изкупление, ცოდვების მიტევება
  • Răzbunarea asasinului
  • 앱솔루션
  • Oprost
  • Chuộc Lỗi
  • Спокута
  • Absolution - Storia criminale

Seen Absolution?

FAQ

Absolution FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Absolution, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Absolution?

Absolution runs 1 hour 52 minutes (112 minutes).

When was Absolution released?

Absolution was released on November 1, 2024.

Who directed Absolution?

Absolution was directed by Hans Petter Moland.

More films by Hans Petter Moland

Who is in the cast of Absolution?

Absolution stars Liam Neeson, Ron Perlman and Tom Kemp as Burt, among 15 credited actors.

How much did Absolution make at the box office?

Absolution grossed $4 million worldwide ($2.7 million domestic, $1.3 million international) on a budget of $30 million.

How is Absolution rated?

Absolution has 5.2/10 on IMDb, 51 on Metacritic and 59% on TMDB.

Does Absolution have a post-credit scene?

Yes. Absolution has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

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