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Redbelt
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Metascore
69 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critics What's this?

User Score
6.7 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 24 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Emily Mortimer
  • Summary: Set on the west side of the Los Angeles fight world, a world inhabited by bouncers, cage fighters, cops, and special forces types, Redbelt is the story of Mike Terry, a jujitsu teacher who has avoided the prize-fighting circuit, choosing instead to pursue an honorable life by operating a self-defense studio with a samurai's code. Terry and his wife, Sondra, struggle to keep the business running to make ends meet. On a dark, rainy night, an accident at the academy between an off-duty officer and a distraught lawyer puts in motion a series of events that will change Terry's life dramatically and introduce him to a world of promoters and to movie star Chet Frank. Faced with this, in order to pay off his debts and regain his honor, Terry must step into the ring for the first time in his life. (Sony Classics)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Tasha Robinson
    91
    The film unravels a bit in the last few moments, amid unanswered story questions and a simplistic climax, but until that moment, Redbelt is Mamet's richest film of the decade.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Lisa Schwarzbaum
    83
    Mamet regulars Ricky Jay and Joe Mantegna blend well with Mamet newbie Tim Allen, a treat as a spoiled-rotten aging Hollywood action star.
  3. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Elizabeth Weitzman
    60
    Redbelt will fascinate those who share David Mamet's interest in mixed martial arts. But its hold may be weaker on those who don't.

See all 32 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 11
  3. Negative: 3 out of 11
  1. GeorgeM
    9
    This is the strangest martial arts movie I've ever seen, its not some chop socky mess with a silly story and 1-dimensional characters, this is a complex film with a deep sense of character development.....its a personal journey for the "hero" AND the viewer as well. The is a film about morals, honor, and the human spirit that for some, simply CANNOT be broken.....our hero seems to think about everyone but himself, and no matter how hard he tries to help other people it tends to backfire in his face but his intentions are pure and true. This is a man you really want to see succeed, its hard watching bad things happen to such a good person who means well in everything he does.....and while it ends rather abruptly with MANY questions left unanswered and the well-being of our hero a little "open".....it still manages to end like the 4th of July with a triumphant personal victory. This is a wonderful film about the "deeper" side of martial arts, the courage of someone that simply CANT be held down by the outside world, and the good that can be found in a ugly ugly world. BUY this......rent Never Back Down (then get hypnotized to forget about it), and be happy with your decision......i'm sure youll understand what i mean after youve seen both.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. MarcusA
    5
    Why is it that when I see a Mamet written and directed movie, i always come away with the impression that it was written and directed by a first time writer / director. The so called "twists and turns" are telegraphed well in advance, and the actors' delivery is consistently choppy and one-dimensional. I don't think that the actors lack skill, but that instead the direction they're receiving is amateurish. Maybe I'm looking at this the wrong way. Maybe I should just should just lower my expectations if I know that Mamet is writing / directing, then I won't be disappointed.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. DWilly
    3
    This is a bad movie. Do you understand what I'm saying? This movie Mamet wrote. It's bad. They aren't even actors, some of these people. Ricky Jay, Tim Allen. Lady playing the cops wife, must be Mamet’s accountant or worse. Line readings like you got turds in your Christmas stocking, so off putting. Phoney Jiu-Jitsu, lacks all common sense. Characters you don’t know how they got from A to C, nor why they're doing half what they're doing, which goes over and over for the ending which is an insult. Even this Ejlofor who has talent has bad scenes. Mamet. Please.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 11 User Reviews

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