The Protégé

Name: The Protégé
Genre: Action, Thriller, Crime
Released: August 20, 2021
Duration: 109 min
Rating: 48
Cast: David Rintoul, David Sterne, Ekaterina Baker, Florin Piersic Jr., Jack Derges

2021

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Mixed or average reviews based on 27 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 45 Ratings

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5.5	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 45 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Lionsgate | Release Date: August 20, 2021 | R

Starring: David Rintoul, David Sterne, Ekaterina Baker, Florin Piersic Jr., Jack Derges, Lili Rich, Madalina Anea, Maggie Q, Michael Keaton, Ori Pfeffer, Patrick Malahide, Ray Fearon, Robert Patrick, Samuel L. Jackson, Taj Atwal, Tudor Chirila

Summary: Rescued as a child by the legendary assassin Moody (Samuel L. Jackson) and trained in the family business, Anna (Maggie Q) is the world’s most skilled contract killer. But when Moody – the man who was like a father to her and taught her everything she needs to know about trust and survival – is brutally killed, Anna vows revenge. As sheRescued as a child by the legendary assassin Moody (Samuel L. Jackson) and trained in the family business, Anna (Maggie Q) is the world’s most skilled contract killer. But when Moody – the man who was like a father to her and taught her everything she needs to know about trust and survival – is brutally killed, Anna vows revenge. As she becomes entangled with an enigmatic killer (Michael Keaton) whose attraction to her goes way beyond cat and mouse, their confrontation turns deadly and the loose ends of a life spent killing will weave themselves even tighter.… Expand

Director: Martin Campbell

Genre(s): Action, Thriller, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 109 min

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Critic Reviews

Alan Ng

Aug 19, 2021

The Protégé is just good action-y thriller-y fun with great repeat value. It falls in that mid-range budget for an action film, maybe just a few notches below the Bourne films. So it’s the perfect popcorn and movie outing for the weekend. Read full review

Peter Debruge

Aug 22, 2021

There’s precious little in The Protégé that audiences haven’t seen before in some form or another, but that’s hardly a liability, since the script recombines those familiar elements in such entertaining ways, counting on Q, Jackson and Keaton to make these stock characters come alive. Read full review

Jesse Hassenger

Aug 19, 2021

Beyond considerable physical presence, Q brings touches of subtlety to a stock character; by the time she makes her eventual, inevitable reference to wanting to get out of the game, there’s a genuine weariness that feels earned enough to bypass the cliché. Read full review

Richard Roeper

Aug 19, 2021

The Protégé isn’t trying to be anything more than slick, escapist action fare, but when you have the star power of the lead trio, a terrific supporting cast and what appears to be a sizable enough budget, it’s not too much to ask for a little something in the way of a cohesive script. Instead, we get two variations on the same twist, and an ending that’s both murky and irritating. Maggie Q and company deserve better. Read full review

Bilge Ebiri

Aug 20, 2021

Unfortunately, for every scene in which The Protégé seems to know exactly what it is, there’s one in which it seems to think it’s a lot smarter than it is. Given the level of talent involved, that has to count as a disappointment. Read full review

Jeannette Catsoulis

Aug 19, 2021

Kudos to Q, though, for a performance anchored in classy disdain for the baloney around her. Read full review

Siddhant Adlakha

Aug 19, 2021

The Protégé is so bad that it feels like it has to be on purpose. Read full review

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User Reviews

Habibiehakim

Aug 31, 2021

Terrific cast, terrific performance, terrific story, fantastic action, Maggie Q was badass, Jackson was amazing, Keaton was great, The Protégé is a superb revenge movie with a badass women character that delivers everything so well, it's simply one of the best films of the year, highlyTerrific cast, terrific performance, terrific story, fantastic action, Maggie Q was badass, Jackson was amazing, Keaton was great, The Protégé is a superb revenge movie with a badass women character that delivers everything so well, it's simply one of the best films of the year, highly recommended.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

TomHug

Sep 12, 2021

Yes, this movie follows a formula, one well-established by the Bournes, Bonds, Mission Impossibles, etc. But -- the formula here is well-executed and the drama is well-supported by excellent acting. I did not sense an action scene in this movie that didn't also move the plot forwardYes, this movie follows a formula, one well-established by the Bournes, Bonds, Mission Impossibles, etc. But -- the formula here is well-executed and the drama is well-supported by excellent acting. I did not sense an action scene in this movie that didn't also move the plot forward organically. The story has some surprises without being preposterous. Maggie Q is very appealing in her portrayal of Anna.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

shoulderoforion

Aug 31, 2021

Don't get the low score here, this was pretty much as solid and funny an action movie flying under the radar has any right to be. It was enjoyable from start to finish, and I'm really digging the michael keaton renaissance. If you've got a couple hours watching this movie a decent way toDon't get the low score here, this was pretty much as solid and funny an action movie flying under the radar has any right to be. It was enjoyable from start to finish, and I'm really digging the michael keaton renaissance. If you've got a couple hours watching this movie a decent way to spend them.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

hgerik

Feb 12, 2022

The Story is absolutely garbage, Actors and Scenes are finde thought.
.....

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Deralac

Aug 12, 2022

This is an almost decent action flick with a superb cast. While the acting far exceeds the story, it’s slightly better than most of what’s on these days. Imagine what could have been accomplished had the writing been on par with the acting. So many shows and movies are horridly written. IThis is an almost decent action flick with a superb cast. While the acting far exceeds the story, it’s slightly better than most of what’s on these days. Imagine what could have been accomplished had the writing been on par with the acting. So many shows and movies are horridly written. I just don’t get why studios can’t find any decent writers.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Stream2BigScree

Aug 27, 2021

It seems like there's a couple new movies every weekend on both streaming platforms and in the theaters. Are we still going to theaters? Last weekend, new releases included an action, thriller assassin movie, The Protégé, which was only in theaters. What happens when you kill a well-trainedIt seems like there's a couple new movies every weekend on both streaming platforms and in the theaters. Are we still going to theaters? Last weekend, new releases included an action, thriller assassin movie, The Protégé, which was only in theaters. What happens when you kill a well-trained assassin's mentor and then come after her? Well, this movie attempts to show us just that. Here's how it goes.

Martin Campbell, who has directed some films in the James Bond franchise, brings his action/thriller sensibilities to the story of an elite contract killer, Anna (Maggie Q). In The Protégé, Anna seeks to avenge the brutal murder of her mentor and father figure, Moody (Samuel L. Jackson), who is himself an legendary assassin. As Anna investigates the murder and attempts to avoid the same fate as her mentor, she get involved in a game of cat-and-mouse with yet another contract killer (Michael Keaton). Hijinks ensue.

Are you interested in this or do you already know where it's going? It's okay if you do because honestly you do. I actually became pretty bored with this about half way through, which is unfortunate for a movie that's less than 2 hours long. The problem is that the plot goes everywhere you expect it to go. There are also some random twists that are definitely groan-worthy. Therefore, the movie has to rely on the action and the thrilling set pieces to keep your attention - some are good and some are meh.

Luckily, Maggie Q is front and center of The Protégé. Maggie Q commands every frame that she is in. She is a very capable fighter and believable as an contract killer. She has such a likeable presence that it is understandable that you'd stick around throughout this otherwise blah movie. I hope Maggie Q gets the chance to do something better. Samuel L. Jackson does a decent in job in a thankless role. He's Sam Jackson, so there can't be much to complain about as he's a good partner for Maggie Q. I do have problems with Michael Keaton. His casting is both interesting and all wrong for the part and movie. I don't get his character, which is very detrimental to the film overall. Keaton is good for what he's does, but it's random and completely took me out of the movie. It's days later and I'm still rolling my eyes at him.

Ultimately, The Protégé was a disappointing viewing experience. While Maggie Q proves her start power, the boring plot and weird casting choices really drag the movie down. In fact, The Protégé proves that if you've seen one assassin movie, you've seen them all. Unfortunately, this one doesn't do much to set itself apart from the pack. I say this is an only streaming option if you are bored - just one popped kernel.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Mauro_Lanari

Aug 27, 2021

(Mauro Lanari)
Yet another revenge movie of killer stunt performers with the psychological depth of a shooter: graphically very cute, but eliminating the characterization of the protagonists one can't remember who lives, who dies, who survives and for what reason.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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