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Action thriller

Vanguard (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

Vanguard (2020) movie poster

Vanguard is a 2020 action thriller directed by Stanley Tong, starring Jackson Lou as Qin Guoli, Iyad Hoorani and Jackie Chan. It runs 1 hour 47 minutes and earned $50.9 million worldwide. Critics gave it 29% on Rotten Tomatoes and 34 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.7/10. Rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
4.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
29%
worldwide gross
$50.9M
Echo Score
43
Vanguard (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 47m (107 min)
Director
Stanley Tong
Original language
English
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is Vanguard About?

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

A team of highly skilled operatives is tasked with protecting an unassuming accountant who finds himself the target of a dangerous mercenary group. Pursued across the globe, the team must use all their expertise to evade capture and ensure his safety. The mission quickly escalates into a thrilling and action-packed chase, where trust is challenged and the stakes are incredibly high.

Vanguard Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • survival
  • one word title
  • no opening credits
  • psychotronic film
  • chinese
  • australian
  • russian
  • south african
  • london england
  • tower bridge london
  • trafalgar square london
  • dubai united arab emirates
+38 more
  • africa
  • middle east
  • murder
  • death
  • violence
  • brutality
  • mercilessness
  • kidnapping
  • hostage
  • held at gunpoint
  • rescue
  • escape
  • deception
  • betrayal
  • double cross
  • ambush
  • animal attack
  • lion
  • giraffe
  • aquarium
  • disarming someone
  • knocked unconscious
  • knocked out with a gun butt
  • pistol whipped
  • cgi
  • cgi animal in live action film
  • neck breaking
  • strangulation
  • news report
  • surveillance
  • security guard
  • security camera
  • hidden camera
  • gadget
  • gadgetry
  • fistfight
  • fight
  • brawl
Where to watch

Where to Watch Vanguard

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

Vanguard Cast & Characters

Jackson Lou leads the cast as Qin Guoli, with Iyad Hoorani and Jackie Chan as Tang Huating. Directed by Stanley Tong; 15 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Vanguard Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Vanguard 29% on Rotten Tomatoes and 34 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 43/100, strongest in story & flow (50) and weakest in character & emotion (35).

43 /100

Vanguard Echo Score Breakdown

Vanguard struggles to overcome its derivative action tropes and uneven execution despite occasional bursts of energy. Critics point to uninspired direction, heavy reliance on CGI, and clichéd pastiche elements that undermine the film’s identity. Some viewers appreciate the rapid fight choreography and exotic locales, but these moments offer fleeting relief. Overall, the project delivers intermittent thrills but lacks the cohesion and originality to sustain lasting engagement.

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

  • Art & Craft 40

    The film’s art and craft lean heavily on familiar genre conventions without offering distinctive visual flair. Critics frequently cite uninspired direction, choppy editing, and overused CGI effects that undercut physical realism. A handful of set pieces across London, Africa, and Dubai provide occasional production-value highlights. In net effect, the visual execution remains serviceable but unremarkable.

  • Character & Emotion 35

    Character development and emotional depth are limited by the film’s focus on action spectacle. Jackie Chan’s presence brings moments of charisma, but the thin script offers little nuance beyond superficial banter and pratfalls. Supporting roles lack sufficient motivation or emotional resonance, curbing audience investment. Consequently, character and emotion remain underdeveloped and fail to anchor the narrative.

  • Story & Flow 50

    The story flows at a brisk pace yet relies on a conventional rescue plot and familiar espionage clichés. Reviews note that rapid-fire fight scenes and chase sequences sustain momentum, but the narrative coherence and originality remain constrained. Plot twists are predictable, and comedic interludes often fall flat. Ultimately, the film maintains engagement through pacing, though its structured formula limits deeper intrigue.

  • Sensory Experience 45

    The sensory experience delivers energetic sound design and punchy fight choreography but is marred by overuse of digital effects. The soundtrack underscores action beats effectively, yet the reliance on CGI detracts from the visceral impact of stunts. Visual style shifts between exotic locations provide aesthetic interest, but inconsistent execution prevents a fully immersive atmosphere. The result is stimulating but uneven.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    The film offers enough spectacle to warrant occasional revisits for genre enthusiasts but lacks the depth for broader replay appeal. High‐energy set pieces and Jackie Chan’s signature stunts provide entertainment value, especially in brief highlights. However, the derivative plot and absent emotional stakes diminish lasting attachment. As a result, rewatch potential remains moderate, confined largely to action‐sequence enthusiasts.

Plot

Vanguard Plot Summary

What happens in Vanguard 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

Qin Guoli, portrayed by Jackson Lou, is a Chinese accountant living in Great Britain who becomes entangled in a perilous scheme. He is coerced by Maasym, the leader of the notorious terrorist group Brothers of Vengeance, to finance nefarious projects, which include the procurement of weapons of mass destruction and the sale of valuable artifacts. Following Qin’s tip-off to Scotland Yard, a military operation led by US forces results in Maasym’s demise. However, his son Omar, played by Iyad Hoorani, survives and is determined to claim his father’s fortune, knowledge of which rests solely with Qin.

Full summary

The whole story of Vanguard, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Vanguard Box Office

Vanguard grossed $50.9 million worldwide. $793,525 came from the US and Canada and $50.1 million (98%) from the rest of the world.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$50.9M

US & Canada
$793.5K
International
$50.1M
US & Canada 2% Rest of the world 98%
Videos

Vanguard Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 teaser.

Official Trailer
  • Trailer Vanguard - Official Trailer
  • Teaser Official Teaser
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Vanguard?

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 event triggers Qin Guoli's involvement in the conflict?

Cars

Cars in Vanguard

62 cars on screen, including the 2017 Audi R8 Spyder and the 2017 Bentley Bentayga.

All 62 cars
  • 2017 Audi R8 Spyder in Vanguard 2017 Audi R8 Spyder Important role
  • 2017 Bentley Bentayga in Vanguard 2017 Bentley Bentayga Important role
  • 1994 Dodge Ram in Vanguard 1994 Dodge Ram Important role
  • 2016 Ferrari 488 Spider in Vanguard 2016 Ferrari 488 Spider Important role
Details

Vanguard Also Known As

21 alternative titles, including “급선봉” and “Vanguard - Elite Special Force”.

Also known as
  • 급선봉
  • Vanguard - Elite Special Force
  • Ji xian feng
  • Operación Vanguardia
  • Protección al límite
  • Авангард: Арктические волки
  • Vanguard - Agenti speciali
  • طليعة
  • Авангард
  • 뱅가드
  • 急先鋒
  • Agentes Vanguard
+9 more
  • Người Tiên Phong
  • Ο Σωματοφύλακας
  • Öncü - Vanguard
  • ואנגארד
  • แวนการ์ด หน่วยพิทักษ์ฟัดข้ามโลก
  • Szpica
  • Avantgarda
  • Avangardas
  • プロジェクトV

Seen Vanguard?

FAQ

Vanguard FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

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

How long is Vanguard?

Vanguard runs 1 hour 47 minutes (107 minutes).

When was Vanguard released?

Vanguard was released on November 20, 2020.

Who directed Vanguard?

Vanguard was directed by Stanley Tong.

More films by Stanley Tong

Who is in the cast of Vanguard?

Vanguard stars Jackson Lou as Qin Guoli, Iyad Hoorani and Jackie Chan as Tang Huating, among 15 credited actors.

Where can I watch Vanguard?

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

How much did Vanguard make at the box office?

Vanguard grossed $50.9 million worldwide ($793,525 domestic, $50.1 million international).

How is Vanguard rated?

Vanguard has 4.7/10 on IMDb, 29% on Rotten Tomatoes, 34 on Metacritic and 63% on TMDB.

Does Vanguard have a post-credit scene?

Yes. Vanguard has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

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