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Action thriller

The Marksman (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

The Marksman (2021) movie poster

The Marksman is a 2021 action thriller directed by Robert Lorenz, starring Jacob Perez as Miguel, Teresa Ruiz and Juan Pablo Raba. It runs 1 hour 48 minutes and earned $23.1 million worldwide on a $23 million budget. Critics gave it 37% on Rotten Tomatoes and 44 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.7/10.

IMDb rating
5.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
37%
worldwide gross
$23.1M
Echo Score
52
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The Marksman (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 48m (108 min)
Director
Robert Lorenz
Genres
Action , Thriller
Original language
English
Budget
$23M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Marksman About?

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

A retired Arizona rancher finds himself protecting an orphaned boy unexpectedly caught in the middle of a deadly cat-and-mouse chase. The boy is fleeing a dangerous cartel, and the rancher is compelled to help him reach safety. As they journey across the Midwest, pursued by relentless assassins, a profound connection forms between the tough rancher and the young boy. The pursuit culminates in a violent confrontation that challenges the rancher’s combat abilities and tests his sense of right and wrong.

The Marksman Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • gun
  • ammunition
  • man boy relationship
  • crying boy
  • child in jeopardy
  • little boy
  • child with a gun
  • burning money
  • immigrant
  • gummy bear
  • police stop
  • chicago illinois
+38 more
  • murder of a police officer at a traffic stop
  • shooting a police officer
  • shooting a police officer in the chest
  • arizona
  • mexico arizona border
  • pursuit
  • mexican migrant
  • mexican drug cartel
  • scene during opening credits
  • riding in the back of a pickup truck
  • subtitled scene
  • spanish
  • teenage boy
  • cell phone
  • mother son relationship
  • torture
  • man with hands tied
  • bald headed man
  • mustached man
  • threat
  • prologue
  • border fence
  • naco arizona
  • binoculars
  • rifle with a telescope
  • american flag
  • killing a coyote
  • dog barks
  • dead cow
  • walkie talkie
  • pima county arizona
  • blood on foot
  • subjective camera
  • ranch owner facing foreclosure
  • widower
  • apology
  • seeking a job
  • nickname
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Cast & crew

The Marksman Cast & Characters

Jacob Perez leads the cast as Miguel, with Teresa Ruiz as Rosa and Juan Pablo Raba as Mauricio Guerrero. Directed by Robert Lorenz; 17 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

The Marksman Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Marksman 37% on Rotten Tomatoes and 44 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 52/100, strongest in art & craft (65) and weakest in story & flow (40).

52 /100

The Marksman Echo Score Breakdown

The Marksman delivers a serviceable action narrative anchored by a seasoned lead but is held back by familiar tropes and uneven execution. Critics frequently noted its reliance on predictable plot points and stereotypes that undermine its thematic ambitions. Some viewers appreciated Liam Neeson’s grounded portrayal and the film’s measured pacing, yet others found the screenplay lacking in depth. Overall, the film balances its competent action elements with a broadly conventional structure, resulting in moderate appeal.

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

  • Art & Craft 65

    In terms of art and craft, the film benefits from strong cinematography and clear visual composition across its desert settings. Reviewers praised the expansive desert vistas and well-executed framing, while editing maintains narrative clarity throughout the action sequences. Though the production design remains functional rather than innovative, the visual consistency supports the film’s tone. These elements combine to create a visually coherent presentation that elevates otherwise routine material.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    When it comes to character and emotion, Liam Neeson’s steady performance provides a reliable anchor amid a cast of familiar archetypes. Several viewers noted genuine chemistry in key moments, and occasional emotional beats lend the lead character modest depth. However, the supporting roles often adhere to stock patterns, limiting richer development. The blend of competent acting and restrained character exploration yields a moderately engaging emotional experience.

  • Story & Flow 40

    Regarding story and flow, the narrative unfolds along highly conventional lines that many found predictable and lacking suspense. Critics cited the reliance on genre tropes and obvious plot turns as detracting from originality, while some viewers noted repetitive chase sequences that reduced engagement. Pacing remains serviceable but rarely ventures beyond routine action thriller conventions. Overall, the screenplay’s limited invention results in a largely formulaic structure.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    In terms of sensory experience, the film presents a cohesive visual style supported by crisp cinematography and clear sound design. Action sequences are punctuated by effective use of score and ambient sound that enhance tension, and the mix of lyrical desert imagery with dynamic close-ups offers visual variety. While the soundtrack remains functional without standout motifs, the combined audiovisual elements maintain solid engagement throughout.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    For rewatch value, the film offers occasional moments of intensity and a dependable lead performance, but its conventional plot limits lasting appeal. Fans of Neeson’s straightforward action persona may revisit select sequences, yet the broader narrative lacks the complexity or surprise needed for repeated viewings. The familiar structure and moderate emotional stakes mean the film holds only modest endurance beyond an initial viewing.

Plot

The Marksman Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in The Marksman 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 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

A young boy named Miguel is diligently working on his school assignments while his mother Rosa goes about her chores in their home in Mexico. Their quiet life is abruptly shattered when a close contact urgently warns Rosa that the cartel is hunting them down, prompting her and Miguel to flee without delay. The cartel leader, Mauricio Guerrero, has captured Rosa’s brother Carlos for stealing from the organization, and he sends a chilling message by hanging Carlos’s lifeless body near an overpass, threatening that Rosa’s family is next.

Full summary

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

Read the full summary
Box office

The Marksman Box Office & Budget

The Marksman grossed $23.1 million worldwide on a $23 million budget, 1.0 times what it cost. $15.6 million came from the US and Canada and $7.5 million (33%) from the rest of the world.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$23.1M

1.0× its budget

US & Canada
$15.6M
International
$7.5M
Budget
$23M
US & Canada 67% Rest of the world 33%
Videos

The Marksman Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Marksman.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Marksman?

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

Who is the cartel leader targeting Rosa and Miguel?

Cars

Cars in The Marksman

21 cars on screen, including the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado HD and the 2007 Chevrolet Suburban.

All 21 cars
  • 2001 Chevrolet Silverado HD in The Marksman 2001 Chevrolet Silverado HD Main role
  • 2007 Chevrolet Suburban in The Marksman 2007 Chevrolet Suburban Main role
  • 2018 Cadillac XTS in The Marksman 2018 Cadillac XTS Minor role
  • 2015 Ferrari California T in The Marksman 2015 Ferrari California T Minor role
Details

The Marksman Also Known As

35 alternative titles, including “The Minuteman” and “The Marksman (El protector)”.

Also known as
  • The Minuteman
  • The Marksman (El protector)
  • Закрилникът
  • Zaštitnik
  • Strzelec wyborowy
  • マークスマン:2021
  • Šāvējs
  • 神枪手
  • Заступник
  • Na Mira do Perigo
  • 捍衛救援
  • Le Vétéran
+23 more
  • 마크맨
  • Tay Xạ Thủ
  • El protector
  • Захисник
  • Poslední výstřel
  • คนระห่ำ พันธุ์ระอุ
  • Missão Inesperada
  • Az oltalmazó
  • הצלף
  • Ο Προστάτης
  • Taiklus šaulys
  • Koruyucu
  • Стрелац
  • Le protecteur
  • تیر انداز ماهر
  • The Marksman - Der Scharfschütze
  • Varuh
  • Un uomo sopra la legge
  • Aizstāvis
  • マークスマン
  • Posledný výstrel
  • El protector (The Marksman)
  • The Marksman: În bătaia puștii, მიზანში მსროლელი

Seen The Marksman?

FAQ

The Marksman FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is The Marksman?

The Marksman runs 1 hour 48 minutes (108 minutes).

When was The Marksman released?

The Marksman was released on January 15, 2021.

Who directed The Marksman?

The Marksman was directed by Robert Lorenz.

More films by Robert Lorenz

Who is in the cast of The Marksman?

The Marksman stars Jacob Perez as Miguel, Teresa Ruiz as Rosa and Juan Pablo Raba as Mauricio Guerrero, among 17 credited actors.

How much did The Marksman make at the box office?

The Marksman grossed $23.1 million worldwide ($15.6 million domestic, $7.5 million international) on a budget of $23 million.

How is The Marksman rated?

The Marksman has 5.7/10 on IMDb, 37% on Rotten Tomatoes, 44 on Metacritic and 68% on TMDB.

Does The Marksman have a post-credit scene?

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

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