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Action thriller

Unlocked (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Unlocked (2017) movie poster

Unlocked is a 2017 action thriller directed by Michael Apted, starring Akshay Kumar, John Malkovich and Michael Douglas. It runs 1 hour 38 minutes and earned $4.7 million worldwide. Critics gave it 50% on Rotten Tomatoes and 46 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10.

IMDb rating
6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
50%
worldwide gross
$4.7M
Echo Score
50
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Unlocked (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 38m (98 min)
Director
Michael Apted
Genres
Action , Drama , Mystery , Thriller
Original language
Korean
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Unlocked About?

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

CIA agent Alice Racine is forced into exile in London after a traumatic experience in Paris, where she is reassigned as a caseworker. Her mentor, Eric Lasch, summons her back into service, launching her on a desperate race against time to avert a catastrophic attack. With her intelligence compromised and numerous lives at risk, Alice must team up with ex-soldier Jack to stop a looming biological threat and prevent disaster from striking London.

Unlocked Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • falling from height
  • virus
  • telephone call
  • terrorist
  • terrorism
  • severed femoral artery
  • leaked information
  • betrayal
  • gun
  • jihadist
  • london england
  • interrogator
+38 more
  • mi5
  • bio terrorism
  • female protagonist
  • suspense
  • bioterrorism
  • ill child
  • dog attack
  • dog
  • elevator
  • laundry
  • staircase
  • interrogation
  • cia agent
  • taxi
  • parking garage
  • taser
  • one word title
  • cell phone
  • gunfight
  • shootout
  • fistfight
  • fight
  • punched in the face
  • head butt
  • woman kills a man
  • silencer
  • machine gun
  • sniper
  • sniper rifle
  • bulletproof vest
  • murder
  • death
  • violence
  • espionage
  • danger
  • spy
  • female agent
  • rogue agent
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Cast & crew

Unlocked Cast

Akshay Kumar leads the cast, with John Malkovich and Michael Douglas. Directed by Michael Apted; 14 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Michael Apted

More films directed by Michael Apted, best-rated first: 42: Forty Two Up, 56 Up, 49 Up and 63 Up.

Full filmography
Ratings

Unlocked Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Unlocked 50% on Rotten Tomatoes and 46 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 50/100, strongest in character & emotion (60) and weakest in rewatch factor (35).

50 /100

Unlocked Echo Score Breakdown

Unlocked shows a competently executed espionage premise undermined by uneven pacing and predictable plotting. Critics noted its brisk direction and solid cast but found the narrative bland and forgettable, while several users pointed to a muddled second half that resolves conflicts in the simplest manner. Occasional engaging action sequences and moments of vintage conspiracy flair are offset by mechanical storytelling and lack of thematic depth. The film ultimately feels serviceable but fails to leave a lasting impression in its genre.

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

  • Art & Craft 58

    In terms of art and craft, Unlocked delivers competent direction with clear visual composition but suffers from uneven editing and pacing. The camera work is functional but rarely ventures beyond standard framing, and the production design does little to distinguish thematic spaces. While action sequences are staged with clarity, the overall visual style feels generic and fails to establish a distinctive cinematic identity.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    When it comes to character and emotion, Unlocked benefits from a capable lead performance but struggles with shallow character development. Noomi Rapace anchors the narrative, yet supporting roles receive minimal depth and limited chemistry. The emotional stakes remain underexplored, resulting in performances that feel earnest but lack lasting resonance.

  • Story & Flow 45

    In terms of story and flow, Unlocked presents an initially engaging conspiracy setup that becomes increasingly predictable. The first half maintains momentum, but subsequent plot twists feel contrived and resolved too conveniently. Pacing varies from measured to abrupt, and the narrative coherence weakens toward the conclusion, leaving the overall originality limited.

  • Sensory Experience 50

    When it comes to sensory experience, the film features a clear sound mix and functional score that support the action but lack distinctive flair. Sound effects are competently balanced, yet the musical themes remain unremarkable. Visually, the color palette and design offer consistency but do not contribute to a memorable or immersive atmosphere.

  • Rewatch Factor 35

    In terms of rewatch factor, Unlocked offers limited replay value due to its predictable narrative and shallow emotional impact. While occasional action set pieces retain some interest, the film’s resolution and character arcs do not invite further exploration. The overall experience feels adequate once but lacks enduring appeal for repeated viewings.

Plot

Unlocked Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Unlocked 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 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Alice Racine, a therapist at a London Community Center, leads a solitary life in her quiet apartment. However, her past reveals a darker truth: she was once a skilled interrogation officer with the CIA, haunted by the memory of a catastrophic mission in Paris that claimed countless lives. Driven by a desire for redemption, Alice regularly consults with MI5 Intelligence Chief Emily Knowles about the possibility of returning to the field. Her former mentor, Eric Lasche, urges her not to dwell on her past mistakes, emphasizing that she still has the opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

Full summary

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

Read the full summary
Box office

Unlocked Box Office

Unlocked grossed $4.7 million worldwide.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$4.7M

International
$4.7M
Videos

Unlocked Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 clip.

Unlocked - Official Trailer - In Cinemas May 5
  • Clip Unlocked - Clip "Debrief" - In Cinemas May 5
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Unlocked?

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 was Alice Racine's former profession before becoming a therapist?

Cars

Cars in Unlocked

22 cars on screen, including the 2007 Ford Mondeo MkIV and the 2010 Jaguar XJ L X351.

All 22 cars
  • 2007 Ford Mondeo MkIV in Unlocked 2007 Ford Mondeo MkIV Important role
  • 2010 Jaguar XJ L X351 in Unlocked 2010 Jaguar XJ L X351 Important role
  • 2010 Audi A8 L D4 in Unlocked 2010 Audi A8 L D4 Minor role
  • 2013 BMW 3 GT F34 in Unlocked 2013 BMW 3 GT F34 Minor role
Details

Unlocked Also Known As

30 alternative titles, including “Le complot” and “Die Spezialistin”.

Also known as
  • Le complot
  • Die Spezialistin
  • Conspiracy
  • Gizli Kod
  • アンロック/陰謀のコード
  • Таємний агент
  • Conspiração Terrorista
  • המתקפה
  • Секретный агент
  • Codice Unlocked - Londra sotto attacco
  • Пробив
  • Élesítve
+18 more
  • Откривен
  • Tożsamość Zdrajcy
  • 全面封鎖
  • Συνωμοσία
  • 惊天解密
  • V utajení
  • 스파이 게임
  • Código abierto
  • Slepenā aģente
  • 恐襲解碼
  • Unlocked: Pericol descătușat
  • Slaptasis agentas
  • アンロック 陰謀のコード
  • V NEVARNOSTI
  • U opasnosti
  • Điệp Vụ Phản Gián
  • Codi obert, საიდუმლო აგენტი
  • ยุทธการล่าปลดล็อค

Seen Unlocked?

FAQ

Unlocked FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Unlocked?

Unlocked runs 1 hour 38 minutes (98 minutes).

When was Unlocked released?

Unlocked was released on September 1, 2017.

Who directed Unlocked?

Unlocked was directed by Michael Apted.

More films by Michael Apted

Who is in the cast of Unlocked?

Unlocked stars Akshay Kumar, John Malkovich and Michael Douglas, among 14 credited actors.

How much did Unlocked make at the box office?

Unlocked grossed $4.7 million worldwide.

How is Unlocked rated?

Unlocked has 6.3/10 on IMDb, 50% on Rotten Tomatoes, 46 on Metacritic and 62% on TMDB.

Does Unlocked have a post-credit scene?

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

What language is Unlocked in?

The original language of Unlocked is Korean.

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