Equilibrium

Name: Equilibrium
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Drama, Thriller
Released: December 6, 2002
Duration: 107 min
Rating: 33
Cast: Christian Bale, Emily Watson, Sean Bean, Taye Diggs

2002

METASCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 22 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 508 Ratings

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8.3

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8.3	User Score Universal acclaim based on 508 Ratings

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Equilibrium

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Movie Details & Credits

Miramax Films | Release Date: December 6, 2002 | R

Starring: Christian Bale, Emily Watson, Sean Bean, Taye Diggs

Summary: In a future society, citizens are prevented from expressing emotions and are controlled by militaristic police with the enforced use of a dehumanizing drug.

Director: Kurt Wimmer

Genre(s): Action, Sci-Fi, Drama, Thriller

Rating: R

Runtime: 107 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Roger Ebert

Would be a mindless action picture, except that it has a mind. It doesn't do a lot of deep thinking, but unlike many futuristic combos of sf and f/x, it does make a statement: Read full review

Ron Stringer

The fun here is not so much in the solid if stolid performances from Bale and co-stars Taye Diggs and Emily Watson (gussied up to resemble the Jefferson Airplane–era Grace Slick) or in Wimmer's overpolished plot devices as it is in the production values. Read full review

Dallas Observer Gregory Weinkauf

Equilibrium improves as it rolls along -- either that or, ironically, it wears down the senses until the viewer succumbs. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Ken Fox

Flashy, "MATRIX"-style action sequences trump ideas; it's hard not to feel you've just watched a feature-length video game with some really heavy back story. Read full review

Ty Burr

Equilibrium just happens to be a really bad comic book. Read full review

Mick LaSalle

Super- violent, super-serious and super-stupid. Read full review

Elvis Mitchell

If someone left "1984," "Fahrenheit 451," "Brave New World," "Gattaca" and the Sylvester Stallone potboilers "Judge Dredd" and "Demolition Man" out in the sun and threw the runny glop onto a movie screen, it would still be a better picture than Equilibrium, a movie that could be stupider only if it were longer. Read full review

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User Reviews

RonnyG.

Jan 28, 2009

This is one of the best movies ever. It's action scenes outclass the Matrix by at least 2x, if not 100x! The plot, character development, characters, and ending all outclass The Matrix (which was a great movie.) My favorite part is the ending! One of the best endings ever, because it This is one of the best movies ever. It's action scenes outclass the Matrix by at least 2x, if not 100x! The plot, character development, characters, and ending all outclass The Matrix (which was a great movie.) My favorite part is the ending! One of the best endings ever, because it says what we all feel, and gives us what we truly want: Pure Ownage.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful

SarahCorriher

Oct 11, 2019

I'm not a fan of Christian Bale, but this was a great movie in which he did a phenomenal job. This dystopian movie is something that you'll remember for years (in a good way). Unlike most modern movies, which are remakes upon remakes, the plot is rather unique too.

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

ewkdon223

Oct 30, 2012

Critics keep mentioning the plot and the themes which are the weaker aspects of equilibrium. This movie was incredible for me because of the performances "christian bale" "emily watson" "sean bean" , the superb novelty and excellence of the martial arts and action sequences, and the crispCritics keep mentioning the plot and the themes which are the weaker aspects of equilibrium. This movie was incredible for me because of the performances "christian bale" "emily watson" "sean bean" , the superb novelty and excellence of the martial arts and action sequences, and the crisp sharpness of atmosphere. Alot of criticism is aimed at bcuz its based in a dystopic future world and its "done before" but dystopic setting should be thought of as a genre rather than a plot so i don't think it has to be new and original all the time. Also note that it came out in 2002, soon after the first matrix movie. So it's a bit unfair to say that it copied the matrix when a lot of work would have already begun on equilibrium. Most pple would have watched it years and years after it was made, bcuz they saw christian bale in batman. Equilibrium is always in my mind christian bales greatest performance. And Gun kata a semi-realistic martial art that has spawned a real-life niche in itself.… Expand

8 of 11 users found this helpful83

MattL

Feb 4, 2008

I'm going to have to side with the general public on this one: it was indeed a good, and more importantly, fun movie. I think critics, in their pursuit of pure analytical commentary of movies, have forgotten the magic of the movies : having fun. Sure, the story was a little I'm going to have to side with the general public on this one: it was indeed a good, and more importantly, fun movie. I think critics, in their pursuit of pure analytical commentary of movies, have forgotten the magic of the movies : having fun. Sure, the story was a little inconsistent, overused, what have you, but me and my friends had a blast watching it.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful

SzymonZ.

Jan 8, 2007

The Film is complete - you get what you see. It tells a story, doesn't let you down in any moment, full of action, nice effects, nice cinematography, etc.... It is complete.

2 of 3 users found this helpful

Compi24

Mar 29, 2015

Yes, "Equilibrium" borrows heavily from other, better sci-fi pieces - like "The Matrix," "Gattaca," and "Fahrenheit 451," to name a few - but damn is it fun to watch.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

[Anonymous]

Sep 4, 2007

This is the dumbest movie I've seen in years. There's nothing redeeming about this; it is every post-Matrix "omg cool" dystopian sci-fi cliché I could ever hate rolled into one ball of crap. If you pay movie to see this movie you deserve to be slapped.

1 of 6 users found this helpful

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7	#7 Most Discussed Movie of 2002
17	#17 Most Shared Movie of 2002