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Action thriller

The Contractor (2022): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

The Contractor (2022) movie poster

The Contractor is a 2022 action thriller directed by Tarik Saleh, starring Chris Pine as James, Ben Foster and Kiefer Sutherland. It runs 1 hour 43 minutes and earned $2.1 million worldwide. Critics gave it 45% on Rotten Tomatoes and 52 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.8/10.

IMDb rating
5.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
45%
worldwide gross
$2.1M
Echo Score
58
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The Contractor (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 43m (103 min)
Director
Tarik Saleh
Genres
Action , Thriller
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Contractor About?

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

Discharged from the Army and burdened by debt, Special Forces Sergeant James Harper finds himself drawn into a dangerous world when he accepts a contract with a private military organization. His initial mission quickly goes wrong, forcing him to fight for survival while evading capture. As he struggles to clear his name and protect his family, Harper uncovers a far-reaching conspiracy that puts him in grave danger.

The Contractor Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • shot in the head
  • cleaning a gun
  • gunshot wound
  • bullet wound
  • family relationships
  • overseas
  • danger
  • military contractor
  • orders to kill
  • gas explosion
  • betrayal
  • betrayed by a friend
+38 more
  • data heist
  • ex military
  • church service
  • rear nudity
  • riding a motorcycle
  • teaching someone how to swim
  • financial trouble
  • airborne ranger
  • injecting growth hormone
  • getting a tattoo
  • old army buddy
  • berlin germany
  • private security contractor
  • virologist
  • briefing
  • laboratory
  • interrogation
  • firefight
  • shot to death
  • carrying a wounded man
  • blood transfusion
  • knee injury
  • injured knee
  • hand to hand combat
  • face smahed with a rock
  • stabbed in the chest
  • corrupt military contractor
  • vaccine
  • childhood flashback
  • two word title
  • electronic music score
  • scene during opening credits
  • neo noir
  • pastor
  • american abroad
  • hypodermic needle
  • patriotism
  • father son relationship
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Cast & crew

The Contractor Cast & Characters

Chris Pine leads the cast as James, with Ben Foster as Mike and Kiefer Sutherland as Rusty. Directed by Tarik Saleh; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Tarik Saleh

More films directed by Tarik Saleh, best-rated first: Cairo Conspiracy, The Nile Hilton Incident, Eagles of the Republic and Eagles of the Republic.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Contractor Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Contractor 45% on Rotten Tomatoes and 52 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 58/100, strongest in character & emotion (78) and weakest in story & flow (45).

58 /100

The Contractor Echo Score Breakdown

The Contractor delivers a competent but unremarkable action thriller that largely satisfies genre expectations without transcending them. Critics and viewers note solid direction and a crisp visual approach, yet the narrative feels generic and occasionally confused, limiting its lasting impact. Performances, especially from Chris Pine, are highlighted as a strength, but uneven pacing and familiar plot beats curb enthusiasm. Consequently, the film offers brief entertainment but lacks the depth for strong rewatch value.

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

  • Art & Craft 68

    In terms of direction and visual craft, the film presents a clean, understated aesthetic that serves the story without flourish. Critics acknowledge crisp cinematography and adequate production design, while some users describe the visuals as gritty and well‑rounded. However, a number of comments cite a lack of distinctive style, rendering the craft competent but not memorable. Overall, the artistic execution is solid yet modest.

  • Character & Emotion 78

    When evaluating performances, both critics and audiences frequently commend Chris Pine and his co‑stars for delivering reliable, nuanced portrayals. Reviewers highlight credible chemistry and effective emotional beats, even as some note Pine’s limited character depth. The acting is described as solid and occasionally superb, providing the film’s primary point of engagement. Consequently, the character work stands out as a notable strength of the production.

  • Story & Flow 45

    The narrative structure receives mixed to negative feedback, with many reviewers pointing to a formulaic plot and confusing pacing. Critics describe the storyline as generic, riddled with plot holes, and lacking originality, while a few users find the premise engaging and realistic. The uneven pacing and uninspired twists diminish overall coherence, resulting in a story that feels more functional than compelling.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    Sensory elements such as sound design and visual cohesion are generally regarded as competent. Reviewers note respectable cinematography and production values, with occasional praise for atmospheric shots and a crisp aesthetic. Despite the lack of a standout soundtrack, the overall sensory experience supports the film’s tone without offering any striking innovations. Thus, the sensory execution is considered adequate and consistent.

  • Rewatch Factor 48

    Rewatch potential appears limited, as many users describe the film as forgettable and not worth a second viewing. While a subset of reviewers recommend the movie for its action and performances, the prevailing sentiment is that the generic plot and lack of memorable moments reduce its lasting appeal. Consequently, the film’s replay value is viewed as modest at best.

Plot

The Contractor Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in The Contractor from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

SFC James Harper, a highly regarded Green Beret, finds himself dishonorably discharged from the army after resorting to illegal steroids for a severe knee injury. Faced with financial despair, he reaches out to his friend Mike, who is employed at a private military firm led by fellow veteran Rusty Jennings. While Harper is lured by attractive job offers from other organizations, his sense of duty to his country weighs heavily on him. After visiting Mike’s lavish home, he agrees to meet with Rusty, who conducts clandestine operations for the Department of Defense. As a gesture of goodwill, Rusty gives Harper’s family a sum of $50,000 to alleviate their burdens.

Full summary

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

Read the full summary
Box office

The Contractor Box Office

The Contractor grossed $2.1 million worldwide. $1 million came from the US and Canada and $1.1 million (51%) from the rest of the world.

2022 box office

Worldwide gross

$2.1M

US & Canada
$1M
International
$1.1M
US & Canada 49% Rest of the world 51%
Videos

The Contractor Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Contractor.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Contractor?

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 illegal substance was SFC James Harper using to treat his injury?

Cars

Cars in The Contractor

78 cars on screen, including the Yamaha FZ6 N and the 2001 Chevrolet Suburban.

All 78 cars
  • Yamaha FZ6 N in The Contractor Yamaha FZ6 N Main role
  • 2001 Chevrolet Suburban in The Contractor 2001 Chevrolet Suburban Important role
  • 1995 Dodge Neon in The Contractor 1995 Dodge Neon Important role
  • KTM unknown in The Contractor KTM unknown Important role
Details

The Contractor Also Known As

35 alternative titles, including “Наемник” and “Mercenário”.

Also known as
  • Наемник
  • Mercenário
  • 救命契约
  • 承包商
  • คนพิฆาตคอนแทรคเตอร์
  • El contratista
  • The Contractor: Mercenário
  • Найманець
  • Наёмник
  • חוזה מסוכן
  • Komplo
  • Plaćenik
+23 more
  • 더 컨트랙터
  • Contrato Perigoso
  • 救命緝約
  • A bérkatona
  • V žoldu smrti
  • Soldado de élite
  • المتعهد
  • O Mισθοφόρος
  • Contractorul
  • The Contractor - Spezialeinsatz Berlin
  • Lính Đánh Thuê
  • المتعاقد
  • Samdinys
  • 孤傭兵
  • Najemnik
  • The Contractor - Mercenário
  • Algotnis
  • ザ・コントラクター
  • Nájomný žoldnier
  • پیمانکار
  • El contractista
  • Le Contracteur
  • Pogodbenik, კონტრაქტორი

Seen The Contractor?

FAQ

The Contractor FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is The Contractor?

The Contractor runs 1 hour 43 minutes (103 minutes).

When was The Contractor released?

The Contractor was released on April 1, 2022.

Who directed The Contractor?

The Contractor was directed by Tarik Saleh.

More films by Tarik Saleh

Who is in the cast of The Contractor?

The Contractor stars Chris Pine as James, Ben Foster as Mike and Kiefer Sutherland as Rusty, among 10 credited actors.

How much did The Contractor make at the box office?

The Contractor grossed $2.1 million worldwide ($1 million domestic, $1.1 million international).

How is The Contractor rated?

The Contractor has 5.8/10 on IMDb, 45% on Rotten Tomatoes, 52 on Metacritic and 64% on TMDB.

Does The Contractor have a post-credit scene?

No. The Contractor has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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