The Samaritan Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Samuel L. Jackson gets out of jail, tries to go straight, but then discovers he accidentally romanced his own daughter in a twist so shocking, it makes daytime soap operas blush.

🍿 The Samaritan: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Foley’s Release and New Beginning

After serving twenty-five years for the murder of his partner, Eddy, Foley is released from prison determined to live an honest life. He seeks out his probation officer and finds a job at a construction site, hoping to put his grifter past behind him. He wants to leave the life of crime and deceit behind him.

Ethan’s Offer and Blackmail

Eddy’s son, Ethan, approaches Foley with an offer to participate in a swindle targeting a dangerous kingpin named Xavier. Foley initially refuses, wanting to stay on the straight and narrow. However, Ethan reveals a secret that he uses to blackmail Foley into accepting the proposition, forcing him back into the world he tried to escape.

Iris and the Confidence Game

Foley meets Iris, a prostitute with whom he develops a relationship. Unbeknownst to Foley, Ethan uses Iris as leverage to ensure Foley’s cooperation in the confidence game. As the plan unfolds, Foley discovers the extent of Ethan’s manipulation and the danger he has brought into his life and Iris’s.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Foley (Samuel L. Jackson): A former grifter fresh out of prison, trying to go straight but pulled back into a life of crime.
• Ethan (Luke Kirby): The son of Foley’s former partner, seeking revenge and exploiting Foley’s skills for a con.
• Iris (Ruth Negga): A troubled young woman and prostitute who becomes entangled with Foley and Ethan.
• Xavier (Tom Wilkinson): A dangerous kingpin who becomes the target of a high-stakes con.
• Deacon (Tom McCamus): Foley’s probation officer that has his own twist in the story.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Iris: “If you keep on doing what you’ve always done, you’ll keep on being what you’ve always been, nothing changes unless you make it change.” – Iris shares her personal philosophy about change, highlighting her desire to escape her circumstances.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $12,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $2,521
• Worldwide Gross: $15,220

💥 The Samaritan Reviews

Personal Review

Honestly, I went into this expecting a standard crime thriller, but ‘The Samaritan’ surprised me. Samuel L. Jackson delivers a nuanced performance as Foley, a man haunted by his past. The film’s twists kept me guessing, and Ruth Negga shines as Iris. While the ending felt a bit rushed, the overall experience was gripping. I was particularly captivated by the scenes between Foley and Iris, their chemistry was electric. However, the revelation about their relationship was shocking and uncomfortable, which really added to the tension. It is one movie I won’t be forgetting anytime soon.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Samuel L. Jackson”
  • “Viewers interested in neo-noir thrillers”
  • “Those who enjoy crime dramas with twists and turns”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Incestuous relations”

Professional Reviews

• FilmPulse.net: “Weaver has given us an expertly-drawn character study and well-plotted film about a confidence game and the players in it. Jackson underplays nearly every second. Kirby, Negga, and the rest of the cast are also at their peak here. The grift goes forward, though not exactly as planned.
• IMDB: “Samuel Jackson shows off his acting chops in this gritty action thriller. He plays a man fresh out of prison after twenty five years who wants to go straight, but his past catches up to him in a huge way with suitably dark sets and mood music to accompany all the nifty twists and turns.
• IMDB: “The movie starts off interesting enough and it also had a twist, a twisted twist if u will that was pretty off-putting but made the story more compelling and worked well. I really thought this movie was going to be great but near the end (and thats what is so disappointing) the movie just seemed kinda sloppy and confused on where it wanted to go.

Audience Reactions

The twist was unexpected.: Viewers were captivated by the film’s surprising plot twists.

Jackson’s performance was great.: Samuel L. Jackson’s portrayal of Foley was widely praised as a highlight.

Overall Consensus: A gritty crime thriller with surprising twists and strong performances, particularly from Samuel L. Jackson, though some find the ending rushed and some elements derivative.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was shot in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.”
• “Samuel L. Jackson served as one of the executive producers on the film, indicating his strong belief in the material.”
• “Director David Weaver cited Neil Jordan’s ‘Mona Lisa’ and ‘The Crying Game’ and Jonathan Glazer’s ‘Sexy Beast’ as primary influences.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Samaritan?

The Samaritan is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability on streaming services.

🎥 Similar Movies

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

• Oldboy (2003): Shares a similar plot twist element involving revenge and family secrets.
• Harry Brown (2009): Features an older protagonist dealing with crime and violence in a gritty urban environment.
• The Grifters (1990): Explores the world of con artists and grifters, focusing on complex character relationships and double-crosses.

🛒 The Samaritan Related Products

• Samuel L. Jackson Collection [DVD]: A DVD collection featuring some of Samuel L. Jackson’s iconic roles. Perfect for fans who want to revisit his best performances and explore his filmography. A great way to see the range of his acting abilities.
• Crime Thriller Collection [Blu-ray]: A Blu-ray collection featuring suspenseful and gritty crime thrillers with plot twists. Perfect for fans who want to revisit the genre’s best performances and explore filmography.
• Grift: A Novel of Con Artists: A novel about grifters, cons, and double-crosses, with complex characters and intricate plots. Explore a world of deception and intrigue similar to the movie’s themes. It expands upon a tale of cons, lies and betrayal.
• Vintage Film Noir Poster: A vintage film noir poster with classic black and white imagery. Evokes the style and atmosphere of noir films, making it a perfect addition to a movie lover’s home decor.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Sleazee (Dirtyloud Mix)” – performed by Melleny Melody & Keoki vs. Decoding Jesus & David Christophere

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Samaritan by John Lara…Book summary overview [TICK IT]

Ever wondered what the book ‘The Samaritan’ is all about? This video gives you a fantastic overview in under 9 minutes. Honestly, it’s a great way to quickly grasp the story before diving into the movie – super helpful!

The Samaritan Setbook Summary Act 1 Scene 1 video lesson | EasyElimu

Want a scene-by-scene breakdown of ‘The Samaritan’? This video dives deep into Act 1 Scene 1, explaining all the important details. I found it really helpful for understanding the nuances of the story, you might too!

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