Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Action thriller

Peppermint (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Peppermint (2018) movie poster

Peppermint is a 2018 action thriller directed by Pierre Morel, starring Jennifer Garner as Riley North, Jeff Hephner and Cailey Fleming. It runs 1 hour 41 minutes and earned $53.9 million worldwide on a $25 million budget. Critics gave it 13% on Rotten Tomatoes and 29 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10.

IMDb rating
6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
13%
worldwide gross
$53.9M
Echo Score
40
Loading streaming availability…
Peppermint (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 41m (101 min)
Director
Pierre Morel
Genres
Action , Drama , Thriller
Original language
English
Budget
$25M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Peppermint About?

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

After awakening from a coma to find her husband and daughter murdered, Riley North is consumed by grief and a desperate search for justice. Finding the legal system unable to deliver the retribution she seeks, she embarks on a relentless and dangerous mission. Riley transforms herself, dedicating years to mastering combat and tactical skills, becoming a formidable force as she systematically hunts down those responsible for her family’s tragic end.

Peppermint Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • revenge
  • loss of husband
  • female protagonist
  • hanging body
  • corruption
  • female vigilante
  • woman murders a man
  • woman beats up a man
  • martial arts
  • shot to death
  • brutal violence
  • killing spree
+38 more
  • murder spree
  • vigilante justice
  • hand nailed to table
  • revenge murder
  • drug cartel
  • corrupt official
  • murder
  • death of husband
  • death of daughter
  • loss of daughter
  • loss of child
  • hospital
  • detective
  • courtroom
  • lawyer
  • judge
  • cemetery
  • reference to youtube
  • hanging
  • violence
  • fbi agent
  • antipsychotics
  • handcuffs
  • torture
  • woman shoots a man
  • widow
  • corrupt judge
  • police corruption
  • murder of judge
  • woman punches a man
  • woman fights a man
  • stabbed in the throat
  • stabbed in the shoulder
  • stabbed in the arm
  • stabbed in the side
  • stabbed in the chest
  • stabbed in the back
  • mercilessness
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Peppermint Cast & Characters

Jennifer Garner leads the cast as Riley North, with Jeff Hephner as Chris North and Cailey Fleming as Carly North. Directed by Pierre Morel; 15 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Peppermint

· 11 more
Ratings

Peppermint Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Peppermint 13% on Rotten Tomatoes and 29 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 40/100, strongest in character & emotion (60) and weakest in story & flow (30).

40 /100

Peppermint Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, Peppermint suffers from a formulaic narrative and unsteady execution that limit its appeal. While Garner's physicality and dedication bring occasional spark, these moments are undermined by predictable plotting and uneven directorial choices. The thriller’s heavy reliance on familiar revenge tropes leaves little room for genuine tension or fresh engagement. Despite competent action choreography and a committed lead, the film rarely transcends its clichés. Ultimately, it registers as a missed opportunity rather than a standout entry.

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

  • Art & Craft 30

    In terms of art and craft, Peppermint exhibits uneven directorial choices and generic visual presentation. Critics note moments of competent framing but the overall production design and editing lack cohesion, contributing to a disjointed pace. The color palette and camera work adhere to standard genre conventions without distinguishing the film. As a result, the craft elements provide adequate support but rarely elevate the material beyond generic execution.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    When it comes to character and emotion, Jennifer Garner’s performance is broadly acknowledged as the film’s primary asset, conveying physical commitment and restraint. However, the script provides limited depth and emotional resonance, leaving the protagonist’s motivations underexplored. Chemistry with supporting figures is minimal, and the film relies on familiar tropes rather than genuine interpersonal stakes. The net effect is a solid central turn insufficiently supported by nuanced character development.

  • Story & Flow 30

    In terms of story and flow, Peppermint is marked by predictable plotting and a lack of narrative surprises. Reviews frequently highlight the cliché-driven revenge structure and uneven pacing, with exposition that drags and set pieces that feel formulaic. Efforts to introduce tonal shifts or dark humor undermine coherence rather than enhance engagement. Overall, the storyline offers neither originality nor sustained momentum, leaving the viewer with a sense of déjà vu.

  • Sensory Experience 55

    In terms of sensory experience, the action choreography delivers several well-staged sequences that emphasize clarity and tactical staging. Sound design and score support the on-screen violence without standing out, and visual style remains functional rather than distinctive. While gunplay and physical confrontations register with intensity, the film’s overall audiovisual presentation lacks an immersive or memorable edge. The result is competent genre craft that seldom surprises.

  • Rewatch Factor 40

    When considering rewatch factor, Peppermint offers limited incentive for repeated viewings beyond its lead performance and occasional action highlights. The familiarity of the revenge arc and narrative predictability reduce replay value, and the absence of subplots or deeper thematic layers diminishes lasting appeal. While some viewers may revisit Garner’s physical display, the film’s reliance on established formulas curtails interest in subsequent viewings. Overall, it remains a one-time genre diversion.

Plot

Peppermint Plot Summary

What happens in Peppermint 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

An unknown woman is locked in a fierce struggle with a man inside a vehicle, ultimately ending the confrontation with a decisive shot to his head. Five years prior, the same woman, Riley North, is depicted as a banker in Los Angeles, fighting to make a living. Her husband, Chris North, runs a struggling mechanic shop. They celebrate their ten-year-old daughter, Carly North, with a pizza outing and a birthday trip to a carnival, in an attempt to make up for the absence of friends at her party. At the carnival, Carly picks peppermint ice cream, which serves as a significant detail linked to the film’s title.

Full summary

The whole story of Peppermint, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Peppermint Box Office & Budget

Peppermint grossed $53.9 million worldwide on a $25 million budget, 2.2 times what it cost. $35.4 million came from the US and Canada and $18.5 million (34%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$53.9M

2.2× its budget

US & Canada
$35.4M
International
$18.5M
Budget
$25M
US & Canada 66% Rest of the world 34%
Videos

Peppermint Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Peppermint.

Peppermint | Official Trailer | In Theaters September 7th, 2018
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Peppermint?

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 occupation of Riley North before the events of the movie?

Cars

Cars in Peppermint

62 cars on screen, including the 2017 BMW 530e G30 and the 2007 Cadillac Escalade EXT.

All 62 cars
  • 2017 BMW 530e G30 in Peppermint 2017 BMW 530e G30 Important role
  • 2007 Cadillac Escalade EXT in Peppermint 2007 Cadillac Escalade EXT Important role
  • 1985 Chevrolet Chevy Van in Peppermint 1985 Chevrolet Chevy Van Important role
  • 1996 Subaru Legacy Outback in Peppermint 1996 Subaru Legacy Outback Important role
Details

Peppermint Also Known As

33 alternative titles, including “Justicia implacable” and “페퍼민트”.

Also known as
  • Justicia implacable
  • 페퍼민트
  • ライリー・ノース-復讐の女神―:2018
  • М'ята
  • 血薄荷
  • Багровая мята
  • Peppermint - L'angelo della vendetta
  • נקמה חריפה
  • A Justiceira
  • Peppermint: Ангел на възмездието
  • Peppermint: Anděl pomsty
  • 아이 엠 마더
+21 more
  • Pipirmėtė
  • Matar o morir (Peppermint)
  • Пеперминт
  • Peppermint - Angel of Vengeance
  • Smak Zemsty. Peppermint
  • İntikam Meleği
  • Peppermint - A bosszú angyala
  • 薄荷殺姬
  • Peppermint: Gustul răzbunării
  • Déchaînée
  • 薄荷
  • Piparmētra
  • Matar o Morir
  • Peppermint: Thiên Thần Công Lý
  • นางฟ้าห่ากระสุน
  • Pepermint: Angel maščevanja
  • Anjel pomsty
  • نعناع تند
  • ライリー・ノース 復讐の女神
  • نعناع, სიკვდილის ანგელოზი
  • Piparmünt

Seen Peppermint?

FAQ

Peppermint FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Peppermint?

Peppermint runs 1 hour 41 minutes (101 minutes).

When was Peppermint released?

Peppermint was released on September 7, 2018.

Who directed Peppermint?

Peppermint was directed by Pierre Morel.

More films by Pierre Morel

Who is in the cast of Peppermint?

Peppermint stars Jennifer Garner as Riley North, Jeff Hephner as Chris North and Cailey Fleming as Carly North, among 15 credited actors.

How much did Peppermint make at the box office?

Peppermint grossed $53.9 million worldwide ($35.4 million domestic, $18.5 million international) on a budget of $25 million.

How is Peppermint rated?

Peppermint has 6.5/10 on IMDb, 13% on Rotten Tomatoes, 29 on Metacritic and 67% on TMDB.

Does Peppermint have a post-credit scene?

No. Peppermint has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app