The Foreigner (2017)
Genre: Action / Thriller / Drama
Directed by: Martin Campbell
Starring: Jackie Chan, Pierce Brosnan, Charlie Murphy, Orla Brady, Rory Fleck Byrne
The Foreigner is a taut and surprisingly somber political thriller that showcases Jackie Chan in one of his most dramatic and emotionally resonant roles to date. Directed by Martin Campbell (Casino Royale), the film trades flashy martial arts spectacle for a gritty, character-driven revenge story laced with political intrigue and moral ambiguity.
The plot centers on Quan Ngoc Minh (Jackie Chan), a quiet London businessman with a tragic past, whose life is shattered when his daughter is killed in a bombing claimed by a rogue IRA faction. With authorities offering few answers, Quan takes justice into his own hands, targeting Liam Hennessy (Pierce Brosnan), a former IRA leader turned British government official, whom Quan suspects of knowing more than he lets on.
Chan delivers a striking performance, shedding his usual comic persona for a deeply haunted, grief-stricken man driven by quiet rage. His portrayal is restrained but powerful, bringing a depth of emotion that grounds the film’s more explosive moments. At age 63 during filming, Chan proves he can still carry intense action sequences, though here they’re used sparingly and realistically, adding to the film’s grounded tone.
Pierce Brosnan is equally compelling as Hennessy, a morally conflicted politician caught between his past and present allegiances. The cat-and-mouse dynamic between Chan and Brosnan forms the movie’s core, blending personal vendetta with political tension in a way that keeps the stakes high and unpredictable.
Campbell’s direction maintains a steady grip on the narrative, balancing methodical pacing with bursts of suspense and violence. The story weaves real-world political complexities into the plot, though some critics argue that the secondary characters and subplots feel underdeveloped. Still, the film’s atmosphere—bleak, tense, and unflinching—adds to its emotional impact.
The Foreigner was met with generally positive reviews, praised for its mature storytelling, Chan’s against-type performance, and its gritty tone. While it doesn’t reinvent the genre, it offers a refreshingly serious take on revenge and political accountability.
In conclusion, The Foreigner stands as a strong, character-focused thriller that gives Jackie Chan one of his most memorable late-career roles. It’s a slow burn with a hard edge—more cerebral than flashy, and all the better for it.
