The Gunman Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Sean Penn shoots a guy, feels bad, goes to Africa to dig some wells, but then other guys try to shoot him, so he shoots them back while occasionally vomiting blood because his brain is mad, also he surfs and fights a bull.

🍿 The Gunman: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Congo Assassination

Jim Terrier, a former special forces soldier turned mercenary, works in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2006. He’s part of a security team for multinational mining companies exploiting the country’s resources amidst a civil war. Terrier becomes romantically involved with Annie, a doctor working for an NGO. The Minister of Mining threatens to renegotiate unfair contracts with these companies.

Eight Years Later

Eight years after the assassination, Terrier returns to the Congo, now working for an NGO building wells. He is targeted by a hit squad, leading him to believe he is being hunted for his past actions. This forces him to go on the run again, seeking to uncover who wants him dead and why.

Unraveling the Conspiracy

Terrier travels through Europe, reconnecting with former colleagues and seeking answers. His journey takes him to London and Spain, encountering old allies and enemies. The pursuit exposes the deep-seated corruption behind the initial assassination and the ruthless individuals protecting their interests. Along the way, he reconnects with Annie, now involved with another member of his old team.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Terrier (Sean Penn): A guilt-ridden former mercenary sniper haunted by his past actions who becomes a target himself.
• Annie (Jasmine Trinca): An NGO doctor and Terrier’s former girlfriend, caught between her past love and her present circumstances.
• Barnes (Idris Elba): An Interpol agent investigating the string of assassinations linked to Terrier’s past.
• Felix (Javier Bardem): A former teammate of Terrier’s who orchestrates the assassination, fueled by jealousy and ambition.
• Stanley (Ray Winstone): A shady contact and longtime friend of Terrier’s who provides assistance and information.
• Terrance Cox (Mark Rylance): The leader of the assassination team that Terrier once belonged to, who is now implicated in the present danger.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Felix: “You are our designated trigger, Jim.” – Felix tells Jim that he will be the one to assassinate the Minister of Mines, setting the plot in motion.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $40,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $10,664,749
• Worldwide Gross: $24,177,137

💥 The Gunman Reviews

Personal Review

I wanted to love ‘The Gunman’ because of the amazing cast and the premise. Sean Penn as an action hero? Yes, please! But it just didn’t click for me. The action scenes were well-choreographed, but the story felt clichéd and predictable. I especially liked the bullfighting scene, though, but overall, it wasn’t as memorable as I had hoped. It felt like a missed opportunity.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of action thrillers”
  • “Those interested in political intrigue”
  • “Viewers who enjoy films with international settings”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Brief sexuality”

Professional Reviews

• ScreenRant: “While competently directed, ‘The Gunman’ relies too heavily on familiar tropes, and the convoluted plot fails to engage. Sean Penn’s physical commitment is evident, but the story lacks the depth to truly resonate.
• Firstshowing.net: “A decent enough action flick, but the plot is overdone and the story is thin. Good if you have nothing better to watch.
• IMDB: “An overly-serious action flick that could have been helped by a touch less seriousness and little more ‘fun’ to the action. This is particularly disappointing as the director was the director of the first TAKEN film, so I thought he’d have the tone of these types of movies down.

Audience Reactions

The film features realistic action sequences and Sean Penn’s impressive physical condition.: Many viewers appreciated the effort to create a more grounded and believable action movie experience.

The star-studded cast, including Javier Bardem and Idris Elba, was a major draw for many.: Viewers enjoyed seeing such talented actors on screen, although some felt their roles were underutilized.

Overall Consensus: While ‘The Gunman’ boasts a strong cast and some solid action sequences, it ultimately falls short due to a predictable plot and a lack of originality. It’s a decent action flick, but not a standout.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Sean Penn co-wrote the screenplay, marking a significant creative involvement beyond his acting role.”
• “Pierre Morel, the director, is known for his work on action films like ‘Taken,’ bringing a similar style to ‘The Gunman’.”
• “The film was adapted from the novel ‘The Prone Gunman’ by Jean-Patrick Manchette, but with significant plot and character changes.”
• “Sean Penn underwent rigorous physical training for the role, showcasing a dedication to the action-oriented demands of the character.”
• “Filming took place in various locations including Barcelona, London, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, adding authenticity to the international thriller setting.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Gunman?

The Gunman is available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. Physical copies on Blu-ray and DVD are also available from major retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Gunman, you might like these similar films:

• Taken (2008): Directed by Pierre Morel, it shares a similar action-thriller style and a protagonist with a ‘particular set of skills’.
• Syriana (2005): Explores similar themes of political corruption, corporate greed, and the exploitation of resources in developing countries.
• The American (2010): Features a lone assassin seeking redemption while being hunted, emphasizing atmosphere and character development.
• Man on Fire (2004): A former special operative is hired to protect, but will do anything to exact revenge when pushed too far.

🛒 The Gunman Related Products

• Tactical Pen with LED Flashlight: A multi-tool inspired by the gadgets used by Terrier. This tactical pen not only writes but also features a bright LED flashlight and a glass breaker for emergency situations. Built to last.
• The Prone Gunman: A Jim Terrier Novel: Dive deeper into Jim Terrier’s world with this gripping novel by Jean-Patrick Manchette, the inspiration for the movie. Explore the dark secrets and intricate plot that inspired this action-packed film.
• Professional Grade Shooting Target Set: Improve your marksmanship skills with this high-quality target set. Perfect for honing your precision shooting, just like Terrier in ‘The Gunman’.
• Espionage Board Game: Delve into the world of secret agents and international intrigue with this immersive board game. Strategize, deceive, and outsmart your opponents to complete covert missions in this thrilling game of espionage.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Gunman features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Under the Gun Symphonic Suite Part 1” – performed by Marco Beltrami
• “Under the Gun Symphonic Suite Part 2” – performed by Marco Beltrami
• “Under the Gun Symphonic Suite Part 3” – performed by Marco Beltrami
• “Under the Gun Symphonic Suite Part 4” – performed by Marco Beltrami

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Indian Talwar VS Katana! What Slices Better??

Ever wondered which sword is superior, the Indian Talwar or the Katana? This video puts them head-to-head in a slicing showdown. Check it out to see which blade comes out on top – I was definitely surprised by the results!

Former Bank Robber Breaks Down 11 Bank Heists In Movies | How Real Is It? | Insider

Want to know how realistic those bank heist scenes in movies really are? A former bank robber breaks down some of the most iconic scenes and tells you what they get right (and wrong!). It’s way more interesting than you’d think!

Champion Gunslinger Rates 10 Quick-Draw Scenes In Movies And TV Shows | How Real Is It? | Insider

Howdy, partner! Curious about the accuracy of those lightning-fast draws in Westerns? A real-life quick-draw champion rates scenes from movies like Django Unchained and Tombstone. I learned so much about gun handling that I didn’t know!

✨ Rate