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Action thriller

Honest Thief (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Honest Thief (2020) movie poster

Honest Thief is a 2020 action thriller starring Liam Neeson as Tom Dolan, Kate Walsh and Jeffrey Donovan. It runs 1 hour 39 minutes and earned $31.2 million worldwide on a $30 million budget. Critics gave it 41% on Rotten Tomatoes and 46 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10.

IMDb rating
6.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes
41%
worldwide gross
$31.2M
Echo Score
57
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Honest Thief (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 39m (99 min)
Genres
Action , Drama , Thriller , Romance
Original language
English
Budget
$30M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Honest Thief About?

The premise of Honest Thief without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A skilled thief decides to return his past ill-gotten gains, hoping for a fresh start. However, he's unexpectedly framed for murder by resourceful FBI agents, forcing him to go on the run. Determined to clear his name and expose the truth, he finds himself in a dangerous fight for survival, pursued by relentless agents who will do anything to stop him.

Honest Thief Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • corrupt fbi agent
  • love
  • criminal past
  • dog
  • divorcee
  • taped confession
  • playground
  • bank robbery
  • falling in love
  • confession
  • false promise
  • collateral damage
+38 more
  • time jump
  • bank robber
  • stolen money
  • attempted murder
  • race against time
  • near death experience
  • fugitive
  • frame up
  • framed for murder
  • suspicion
  • disguise
  • rescue
  • escape
  • redemption
  • one man army
  • tragic past
  • dark past
  • bandit
  • storage unit
  • security footage
  • plant gun
  • car bomb
  • bottle of wine
  • detonation expert
  • wearing a wire
  • safe house
  • stolen van
  • hotel room
  • greyhound bus
  • text message
  • car chase
  • police car crash
  • google search
  • stabbed with scissors
  • double cross
  • hospital
  • ford pick up truck
  • ex u.s. marine
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Cast & crew

Honest Thief Cast & Characters

Liam Neeson leads the cast as Tom Dolan, with Kate Walsh as Annie Wilkins and Jeffrey Donovan as Special Agent Sean Meyers.

Also Starring in Honest Thief

· 10 more
Ratings

Honest Thief Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Honest Thief 41% on Rotten Tomatoes and 46 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10. Our Echo Score gives it 57/100, strongest in character & emotion (75) and weakest in story & flow (50).

57 /100

Honest Thief Echo Score Breakdown

Honest Thief delivers a mixed experience, with Liam Neeson’s reliable performance offering moments of entertainment amid a largely formulaic thriller structure. Critics frequently noted the routine storytelling and lack of genuine suspense, while some viewers appreciated its logical progression and disciplined execution. Action sequences and production values register as competent but seldom surprising. Ultimately, the film lands in a middling range where familiar tropes and uneven pacing counterbalance Neeson’s charismatic presence.

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

  • Art & Craft 55

    Art and Craft in Honest Thief manifests as competent but unremarkable direction and cinematography. Reviewers praised disciplined camera placement and smooth cuts during action sequences, yet criticized the overall presentation as routine and low-energy. Production design and editing support the narrative without calling attention to themselves. The net impression is of solid technical work that rarely rises above serviceable craftsmanship.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    Character and Emotion are driven by Liam Neeson’s steady, charismatic performance, which most reviewers cited as the film’s primary asset. Supporting cast members are generally competent, maintaining believable interactions without standout depth. Some critics found the characters insincere and underdeveloped, while others enjoyed the restrained portrayals and chemistry. Overall, the emotional engagement hinges on Neeson’s presence, resulting in a moderately strong character dimension.

  • Story & Flow 50

    Story and Flow exhibit a clear, logical structure but rely heavily on familiar genre conventions. Some viewers commended the measured pacing and coherent progression, noting occasional dialogue missteps. Many critics, however, labeled the plot mundane, predictable, and lacking originality or genuine suspense. Despite a handful of fresh nuances, the thriller’s reliance on a conventional formula yields a middling narrative that seldom surprises. This balance produces an average storytelling impact.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    Sensory Experience hinges on action sequences and sound design that, while technically proficient, rarely generate sustained thrills. Reviewers highlighted smooth editing, disciplined camera work, and effective car chases, contrasting with complaints of flat or bland action in key moments. The score and sound effects maintain tension but do not elevate routine set pieces. In sum, Honest Thief offers competent but uneven sensory engagement.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    Rewatch Factor is limited by the film’s predictability and lack of narrative surprises. Fans of Liam Neeson may return for his familiar performance, and some viewers enjoyed the straightforward entertainment value. However, critics and many users noted that routine plotting and absence of memorable set pieces reduce repeat appeal. As a result, the likelihood of frequent revisits remains moderate, appealing mainly to genre enthusiasts rather than a broader audience.

Plot

Honest Thief Plot Summary

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

Spoilers ahead

Tom Carter, known as the “In and Out Bandit,” portrayed by Liam Neeson, is determined to pull off his final heist. After breaking into a safe, he seeks a fresh start by taking a job at a self-storage warehouse, where he forms a connection with Annie played by Kate Walsh, a graduate student who finds him charming.

Fast forward a year, and Tom and Annie are happily together. Tom reveals a potential apartment purchase to Annie, which they technically break into. She enjoys the space, unaware that Tom hopes to create a stable future for them.

Full summary

The whole story of Honest Thief, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Honest Thief Box Office & Budget

Honest Thief grossed $31.2 million worldwide on a $30 million budget, 1.0 times what it cost. $14.2 million came from the US and Canada and $17.1 million (55%) from the rest of the world.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$31.2M

1.0× its budget

US & Canada
$14.2M
International
$17.1M
Budget
$30M
US & Canada 45% Rest of the world 55%
Videos

Honest Thief Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 clip.

HONEST THIEF | Official Trailer | In Theatres October 9
  • Clip Honest Thief Exclusive Movie Clip - Agents in the Hotel (2020) | Movieclips Coming Soon
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Honest Thief?

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 Tom Carter's notorious nickname?

Cars

Cars in Honest Thief

43 cars on screen, including the 2015 Dodge Charger and the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro.

All 43 cars
  • 2015 Dodge Charger in Honest Thief 2015 Dodge Charger Main role
  • 2010 Chevrolet Camaro in Honest Thief 2010 Chevrolet Camaro Important role
  • 1974 Chevrolet Nova in Honest Thief 1974 Chevrolet Nova Important role
  • 2003 Ford Crown Victoria in Honest Thief 2003 Ford Crown Victoria Important role
Details

Honest Thief Also Known As

32 alternative titles, including “Voleur honnête” and “Hoțul cinstit”.

Also known as
  • Voleur honnête
  • Hoțul cinstit
  • 夺金营救
  • Pre balík peňazí
  • Честный вор
  • Legado Explosivo
  • Pro balík prachů
  • The Good Criminal
  • Pre balík prachov
  • Чесний злодій
  • Un honnête voleur
  • Becsületes tolvaj
+20 more
  • 倒數反擊
  • Честен крадец
  • 어니스트 씨프
  • 末路狂盜
  • ทรชนปล้นชั่ว
  • Un ladrón honesto
  • Um Último Golpe
  • Venganza Implacable
  • גנב עם כבוד
  • Phi Vụ Hoàn Lương
  • Dürüst Hırsız
  • Uczciwy złodziej
  • Έντιμος Κλέφτης
  • دزد صادق
  • Pokajnik
  • Sąžiningas vagis
  • Godīgs zaglis
  • Ropar čiste vesti
  • Un hoț cinstit
  • ファイナル・プラン, პატიოსანი ქურდი

Seen Honest Thief?

FAQ

Honest Thief FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Honest Thief?

Honest Thief runs 1 hour 39 minutes (99 minutes).

When was Honest Thief released?

Honest Thief was released on October 16, 2020.

Who is in the cast of Honest Thief?

Honest Thief stars Liam Neeson as Tom Dolan, Kate Walsh as Annie Wilkins and Jeffrey Donovan as Special Agent Sean Meyers, among 14 credited actors.

How much did Honest Thief make at the box office?

Honest Thief grossed $31.2 million worldwide ($14.2 million domestic, $17.1 million international) on a budget of $30 million.

How is Honest Thief rated?

Honest Thief has 6.0/10 on IMDb, 41% on Rotten Tomatoes, 46 on Metacritic and 65% on TMDB.

Does Honest Thief have a post-credit scene?

No. Honest Thief has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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