Safe House (2012)
Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds star in this action thriller, set in South Africa, about a young CIA agent forced to go on the run with the fugitive he’s supposed to be guarding.
Matt Weston (Reynolds) is a young operative tasked with babysitting the former-agent-gone-rogue Tobin Frost (Washington). When a band of rebel soldiers bombard the safe house and destroy the facility, Weston hastily tries to escort Frost to another secure location. As the situation deepens and malicious intentions are revealed, the two form a hesitant partnership.
2012115 minsUSA, South Africa
ActionThriller
- Director:
- Daniel Espinosa ('Easy Money', 'Outside Love', 'Babylon Disease')
- Writer:
- David Guggenheim
- Cast:
- Denzel WashingtonRyan ReynoldsBrendan GleesonRobert PatrickSam ShepardLiam CunninghamRubén BladesVera Farmiga
Safe House (2012) / Reviews
Variety
A viciously energetic South Africa-set actioner that makes up in sweaty atmosphere and brute force what it lacks in surprise.
Full reviewUSA Today
A bracing action thriller made all the more watchable because of its two lead performances.
Full review
New York Post
May strike you as a brilliant movie, provided you’ve seen fewer than, say, 10 spy thrillers. I’ve seen more than 10 spy thrillers.
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New York Daily News
Devolves into unexciting action scenes that feel left over from the Bourne flicks.
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Los Angeles Times
A take-no-prisoners action extravaganza that doesn't stint on either bullets or brutal hand-to-hand combat.
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Hollywood Reporter
Dramatically, the film hangs together well enough but the repetitive nature of the action and lack of stylistic shadings and nuance ultimately prove rather grinding.
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Entertainment Weekly
Action-movie porridge gussied up into a less-clever-than-it-seems mystery.
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A.V. Club
Gets off to a strong start, but the tension slackens halfway through and never recovers.
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