X
  • 2020
  • R
  • Saban Films
  • 1 h 37 m
  • 2020
  • R
  • Saban Films
  • 1 h 37 m

Summary After being released from prison, ex-con Eddie Franks (Craig Fairbrass) wants nothing more than to start a new life. However, his dreams of normalcy are tested when he learns of his brother's dangerous debt to a menacing drug lord. To protect his family, Eddie is forced to go back to his former life of crime and learns that stepping ba...

Directed By: Philip Barantini

Written By: Greg Hall, George Russo

  • 2020
  • R
  • Saban Films
  • 1 h 37 m
  • 2020
  • R
  • Saban Films
  • 1 h 37 m

Villain

Metascore Generally Favorable Based on 6 Critic Reviews
68
User Score Mixed or Average Based on 5 User Ratings
6.0
My Score
Hover and click to give a rating Saved

Where to Watch

Summary After being released from prison, ex-con Eddie Franks (Craig Fairbrass) wants nothing more than to start a new life. However, his dreams of normalcy are tested when he learns of his brother's dangerous debt to a menacing drug lord. To protect his family, Eddie is forced to go back to his former life of crime and learns that stepping ba...

Directed By: Philip Barantini

Written By: Greg Hall, George Russo

Where to Watch

Top Cast

View All
View All Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 6 Critic Reviews
68
67% Positive
4 Reviews
33% Mixed
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 6 Critic Reviews
68
67% Positive
4 Reviews
33% Mixed
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
80
May 21, 2020
At first glance, actor-turned-director Philip Barantini’s Villain looks like a box-ticking exercise in Laandan gangsterism. But it’s not. By playing it completely straight, it avoids campy Guy Ritchie clichés.
FULL REVIEW
80
May 21, 2020
The result is an exceedingly well-made first feature, a simple genre movie elevated by strong visuals, potent performances and a mood that falls somewhere between resignation and guttering hope.
By Jeannette Catsoulis FULL REVIEW
70
May 22, 2020
Actor Philip Barantini’s first directorial feature is nothing wildly original in content or style. Still, it punches both elements across with a satisfying low-key confidence, and does not shrink from occasionally letting things get pretty rough.
By Dennis Harvey FULL REVIEW
70
May 21, 2020
To say it's unoriginal is an understatement. Nonetheless, Villain exerts a powerful pull, thanks both to the effective use of gritty East London locations and the terrific lead performance by Craig Fairbrass, displaying his intimidating physical presence and simmering, low-key charisma. The veteran actor keeps the film percolating despite its overfamiliar aspects.
By Frank Scheck FULL REVIEW
60
May 21, 2020
Sometimes a seemingly unprepossessing genre film comes along that has finer qualities than you would expect. Such is the case here.
By Leslie Felperin FULL REVIEW
50
May 22, 2020
Villain is the kind of stiflingly reverent genre picture that is so beholden to its main characters’ pity-me worldview that its predictably downbeat ending feels like the kind of hero worship that you often find in either a cloying biopic or a hidebound true crime adaptation.
By Simon Abrams FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Mixed or Average Based on 5 User Ratings
6.0
40% Positive
2 Ratings
40% Mixed
2 Ratings
20% Negative
1 Rating

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Mixed or Average Based on 5 User Ratings
6.0
40% Positive
2 Ratings
40% Mixed
2 Ratings
20% Negative
1 Rating

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

Details

 View All
Production Company Ascendant Films
Release Date May 22, 2020
Duration 1 h 37 m
Rating R
Genres
Tagline Crime runs in the blood
View All Details

Related Movies

Seven Samurai

98
Universal Acclaim

The Wild Bunch

98
Universal Acclaim

North by Northwest

98
Universal Acclaim

Ran

97
Universal Acclaim

Dunkirk

94
Universal Acclaim

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

94
Universal Acclaim

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

94
Universal Acclaim

The French Connection

94
Universal Acclaim

Yojimbo

93
Universal Acclaim

Badlands

93
Universal Acclaim

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

92
Universal Acclaim

Mad Max: Fury Road

90
Universal Acclaim

The Incredibles

90
Universal Acclaim

Scarface

90
Universal Acclaim

United 93

90
Universal Acclaim

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope

90
Universal Acclaim

House of Flying Daggers

89
Universal Acclaim

Assault on Precinct 13

89
Universal Acclaim

White Heat

89
Universal Acclaim

The Hidden Fortress

89
Universal Acclaim

Gangs of Wasseypur

89
Universal Acclaim

Captain Blood

89
Universal Acclaim

Related News

2024 Movie Release Calendar

2024 Movie Release Calendar

Jason Dietz

Find release dates for every movie coming to theaters, VOD, and streaming throughout 2024 and beyond, updated weekly.

  • movie
Every Zack Snyder Movie, Ranked

Every Zack Snyder Movie, Ranked

Nick Hyman

With the arrival of Zack Snyder's latest Rebel Moon chapter on Netflix, we rank every one of the director's films—from bad to, well, less bad—by Metascore.

  • movie
Every Guy Ritchie Movie, Ranked

Every Guy Ritchie Movie, Ranked

Nick Hyman

We rank every one of the British director's movies by Metascore, from his debut Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels to his brand new film, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare.

  • movie
April Movie Preview (2024)

April Movie Preview (2024)

Keith Kimbell

The month ahead will bring new films from Alex Garland, Luca Guadagnino, Dev Patel, and more. To help you plan your moviegoing options, our editors have selected the most notable films releasing in April 2024, listed in alphabetical order.

  • movie
DVD/Blu-ray Releases: New & Upcoming

DVD/Blu-ray Releases: New & Upcoming

Jason Dietz

Find a list of new movie and TV releases on DVD and Blu-ray (updated weekly) as well as a calendar of upcoming releases on home video.

  • movie