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Action thriller

Retribution (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

Retribution (2023) movie poster

Retribution is a 2023 action thriller directed by Nimród Antal, starring Liam Neeson as Matt Turner, Embeth Davidtz and Lilly Aspell. It runs 1 hour 31 minutes and earned $18.7 million worldwide on a $20 million budget. Critics gave it 30% on Rotten Tomatoes and 43 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.3/10. Stream it on Lionsgate+ and YouTube TV, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
5.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
30%
worldwide gross
$18.7M
Echo Score
36
Retribution (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 31m (91 min)
Director
Nimród Antal
Original language
English
Budget
$20M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Retribution About?

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

Matt Turner's ordinary morning takes a terrifying turn when a mysterious caller manipulates his car’s systems and threatens his family. Forced to follow the caller’s instructions, he’s plunged into a dangerous series of escalating events. As he races against time, Matt must confront a perilous situation where his children's lives are at risk and he's trapped in a desperate fight for survival.

Retribution Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • remake
  • foreign language adaptation
  • based on film
  • american remake
  • car
  • car action
  • car chase
  • hostage
  • bomb
  • explosion
  • telephone call
  • one word title
+38 more
  • father
  • tension
  • suspense
  • exploding car
  • female police detective
  • english language remake
  • berlin germany
  • car bomb
  • building a bomb
  • punching a heavy bag
  • businessman
  • tv news
  • video call
  • business partner
  • school run
  • husband wife relationship
  • father child relationship
  • teenage son
  • father son talk
  • mercedes benz suv
  • brother sister relationship
  • cell phone call
  • voice distortion
  • bomb under car seat
  • smartphone
  • investment banker
  • motorcycle crashing into a car
  • giving the middle finger
  • uniformed police officer
  • germany
  • killed with a bomb
  • speaker phone
  • apology
  • press conference
  • police detective
  • framed for murder
  • death threat
  • revolver
Where to watch

Where to Watch Retribution

Stream it on Lionsgate+ and YouTube TV, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Retribution Cast & Characters

Liam Neeson leads the cast as Matt Turner, with Embeth Davidtz as Heather Turner and Lilly Aspell as Emily Turner. Directed by Nimród Antal; 11 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Retribution

· 7 more
Ratings

Retribution Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Retribution 30% on Rotten Tomatoes and 43 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 36/100, strongest in character & emotion (40) and weakest in rewatch factor (30).

36 /100

Retribution Echo Score Breakdown

Retribution delivers a modestly competent but largely uninspired thriller experience. Critics and users concur that the film follows a familiar action formula without offering fresh ideas, resulting in limited engagement and low replay appeal. While Liam Neeson’s presence provides occasional moments of tension, the overall execution suffers from weak storytelling, uneven craftsmanship, and minimal sensory impact, positioning the movie in the lower tier of the genre.

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

  • Art & Craft 35

    In terms of art and craft, the film shows competent but unremarkable direction and production values. Reviewers note a functional visual style that fails to stand out, with occasional crisp moments that quickly fade. Editing and cinematography are serviceable yet lack distinction, leaving the overall aesthetic feeling routine and forgettable.

  • Character & Emotion 40

    When evaluating character and emotion, performances are uneven; Neeson’s portrayal is occasionally noted as solid, but many critics describe it as dull or miscast. Supporting actors receive criticism for weak delivery, and character depth is generally lacking. Consequently, the emotional resonance remains limited, though a few moments of authentic panic are acknowledged.

  • Story & Flow 38

    Regarding story and flow, the plot follows a predictable, formulaic structure with limited originality. Critics point to untapped potential and a simplistic premise that offers little suspense. Pacing is described as sluggish in parts, and the narrative rarely sustains engagement, resulting in a largely forgettable storyline.

  • Sensory Experience 35

    The sensory experience, including sound and visual style, is functional but lacks impact. While some reviewers mention a crisp sound design, the overall soundtrack and audio cues fail to elevate tension. Visual composition remains serviceable yet unremarkable, and the action sequences do not generate significant excitement.

  • Rewatch Factor 30

    Rewatch factor is low, with most viewers describing the film as suitable for a single, casual viewing. Critics and users alike suggest it offers limited novelty on subsequent watches, and the predictable formula reduces lasting appeal. The movie is seen more as filler entertainment than a title with enduring value.

Plot

Retribution Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Retribution 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

Matt Turner, portrayed by Liam Neeson, is a dedicated financier working at Nanite Capital in Berlin. Under the guidance of his friend and CEO, Matthew Modine as Anders Müller, Matt shares a seemingly ordinary life with his wife, Embeth Davidtz, and their two children, Emily, played by Lilly Aspell, and Zach, acted by Jack Champion. However, their tranquil existence is violently disrupted one fateful morning when, during the drive to school, Matt receives an ominous call from an anonymous number.

Full summary

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

Read the full summary
Box office

Retribution Box Office & Budget

Retribution grossed $18.7 million worldwide on a $20 million budget, 93% of what it cost. $6.9 million came from the US and Canada and $11.7 million (63%) from the rest of the world.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$18.7M

93% of its budget back

US & Canada
$6.9M
International
$11.7M
Budget
$20M
US & Canada 37% Rest of the world 63%
Videos

Retribution Trailers & Videos

11 videos: 3 trailers, 1 teaser, 4 clips, 2 featurettes and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

All 11 videos
Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official International Trailer
  • Trailer Official UK Trailer
  • Teaser Drive
  • Clip "He Said We're Gonna Die Because Of You"
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Retribution?

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 Matt Turner's occupation at Nanite Capital?

Cars

Cars in Retribution

111 cars on screen, including the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS X167 and the 2006 Audi Q7.

All 111 cars
  • 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS X167 in Retribution 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS X167 Featured role
  • 2006 Audi Q7 in Retribution 2006 Audi Q7 Important role
  • 2003 BMW 5 E60 in Retribution 2003 BMW 5 E60 Important role
  • 1996 BMW R 1100 RT-P in Retribution 1996 BMW R 1100 RT-P Important role
Details

Retribution Also Known As

32 alternative titles, including “Retaliação” and “เหยียบระห่ำ ดับโคตรแค้น”.

Also known as
  • Retaliação
  • เหยียบระห่ำ ดับโคตรแค้น
  • عقوبت
  • قصاص
  • 爆復
  • Justice Vengeresse
  • Αντίστροφη μέτρηση
  • Contrarreloj
  • A Chamada
  • 急速营救
  • 炸掉银行经理
  • 疾速营救
+20 more
  • Odmazda
  • Jízda smrti
  • Kättemaks
  • Megtorlás
  • Be'Milkoud
  • バッド・デイ・ドライブ
  • Заложники
  • Одмазда
  • Ultimatum
  • Represalii: Cursa morții
  • Durdurulamaz
  • Відплата: Дорога помсти
  • Trừng Phạt
  • Vražedná jazda
  • במלכוד
  • Atpildas
  • القصاص
  • Заложникът
  • 레트리뷰션
  • Povračilo, სამაგიერო

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FAQ

Retribution FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

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

How long is Retribution?

Retribution runs 1 hour 31 minutes (91 minutes).

When was Retribution released?

Retribution was released on August 25, 2023.

Who directed Retribution?

Retribution was directed by Nimród Antal.

More films by Nimród Antal

Who is in the cast of Retribution?

Retribution stars Liam Neeson as Matt Turner, Embeth Davidtz as Heather Turner and Lilly Aspell as Emily Turner, among 11 credited actors.

Where can I watch Retribution?

In the US, Retribution is streaming on Lionsgate+ and YouTube TV and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How much did Retribution make at the box office?

Retribution grossed $18.7 million worldwide ($6.9 million domestic, $11.7 million international) on a budget of $20 million.

How is Retribution rated?

Retribution has 5.3/10 on IMDb, 30% on Rotten Tomatoes, 43 on Metacritic and 65% on TMDB.

Does Retribution have a post-credit scene?

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

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