🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Babak Najafi
- Genre: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
- Release year: 2018
- Runtime (length): 1h 29min
- IMDb rating: 5.0/10 (21k votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 26%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A hitwoman adopts the orphan of her latest target, only to discover that parenting in the criminal underworld involves more than just stylish shootouts and questionable life choices.
🍿 Proud Mary: Detailed Plot Synopsis
A Hit Gone Wrong
Mary (Taraji P. Henson), a skilled assassin, botches a hit when she discovers her target has a young son, Danny. Consumed by guilt, she leaves him behind, but keeps an eye on him. This sets the stage for a complex moral dilemma and a shifting dynamic between Mary and her dangerous profession.

Protecting Danny
A year later, Mary finds Danny in a precarious situation, working for a low-level criminal. Driven by her conscience, she steps in to protect him, inadvertently sparking a war with rival gangs and forcing her to confront her past. This section highlights Mary’s transformation from ruthless killer to reluctant protector.

Betrayal and Confrontation
As Mary tries to shield Danny from the violence, she faces betrayal from within her own organization. Her past actions come back to haunt her, leading to a final showdown where she must choose between loyalty and protecting the young boy she has come to care for. This section underscores the themes of redemption and the cost of violence.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Mary (Taraji P. Henson): A skilled hitwoman seeking redemption after inadvertently orphaning a young boy, Danny, whom she takes under her wing.
- Danny (Jahi Di’Allo Winston): The orphaned young boy who forms an unlikely bond with Mary, his father’s killer.
- Tom (Billy Brown): Benny’s son and Mary’s ex-lover, vying for control of the family business and conflicted by his feelings for Mary.
- Benny (Danny Glover): The head of the organized crime family for whom Mary works, struggling to maintain control amidst warring factions.
- Uncle (Xander Berkeley): A low-level criminal who exploits Danny and whose death sparks conflict between crime families.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Mary: “Newsflash, asshole! I am the mothering type!” – Mary says this to Tom, sarcastically, when he questions her ability to care for Danny, asserting her newfound protective instincts.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $14,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $20,877,013
- Worldwide Gross: $21,753,365
💥 Proud Mary Reviews
Personal Review
I really wanted to love ‘Proud Mary,’ especially with Taraji P. Henson in the lead. I love how she portrayed this tough character. There were moments that felt really authentic and engaging, but the storyline was predictable. However, the action sequence set to Tina Turner’s ‘Proud Mary’ was a total banger and totally saved the movie.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of Taraji P. Henson”
- “Viewers who enjoy action thrillers with a focus on character dynamics”
- “Those interested in stories about redemption and unlikely families”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Strong violence and action sequences”
- “Language”
- “Brief drug content”
Professional Reviews
- IMDB: “Taraji P. Henson shines as a hitwoman with a heart, but the film itself is a fairly standard action flick. The action is decent, and Henson is great but the plot is predictable.
- Rotten Tomatoes: “Despite Henson’s best efforts, ‘Proud Mary’ doesn’t quite hit its mark. It’s a passable action movie that’s held back by a predictable plot.
- Metacritic: “While the film is not great, but it’s entertainingly fun, never tries to be anything more. Taraji P. Henson plays Mary pretty well, a hit woman with a heart of gold, you can tell she is having fun. The action scenes also don’t disappoint either.
Audience Reactions
Taraji P. Henson’s performance as a badass hitwoman with a soft spot was fantastic.: Viewers generally enjoyed Henson’s performance and found the action sequences entertaining.
Good balance of action and drama where Mary is involved in an organized crime situation but still has compassion.: There was a good balance of action and drama where Mary is involved in an organized crime situation but still has compassion.
Overall Consensus: ‘Proud Mary’ is a decent action film elevated by Taraji P. Henson’s performance, but suffers from a predictable plot.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film is loosely based on the 1980 movie ‘Gloria’, which also features a woman protecting a young boy in a dangerous situation.”
- “The opening credits feature a recreation of the 1965-1974 Screen Gems ‘S from Hell’ logo, a nod to classic television production.”
- “Sony refused to screen the movie for critics before its release.”
🖥️ How to Watch Proud Mary?
Proud Mary is available for streaming on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. It’s also available for purchase on demand through various digital retailers. Check your preferred platform for rental or purchase options and availability in your region.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Proud Mary, you might like these similar films:
- Gloria (1980): A woman becomes the protector of a young boy after his family is murdered by the mob.
- Leon: The Professional (1994): A professional hitman takes in a young girl and becomes her protector and mentor.
- Man on Fire (2004): A bodyguard seeks vengeance for the kidnapping of the young girl he was hired to protect.
🛒 Proud Mary Related Products
- Proud Mary [Blu-ray]: Own the action-packed film on Blu-ray with bonus content like behind-the-scenes footage and cast interviews. A must-have for Henson fans.
- Proud Mary (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Download the film’s soundtrack featuring iconic tracks like ‘Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone’ and Tina Turner’s ‘Proud Mary’. Re-experience the film’s atmosphere through its music.
- Taraji P. Henson Signed ‘Proud Mary’ Poster: A limited edition movie poster signed by Taraji P. Henson herself. A rare collectible for true fans.
- Assassins Creed Valhalla: Become the Viking assassin Eivor and lead raids, grow your settlement, and build your political power. A strong female Assassin can be developed similarly to the role of Mary.
🎧 Soundtrack
Proud Mary features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
While Proud Mary shares some thematic similarities with Leon: The Professional, such as a hardened killer protecting a young child, it is not a direct remake. Proud Mary offers a unique storyline with its own distinct characters and conflicts.
Proud Mary was primarily filmed in Lawrence, Massachusetts, capturing the gritty urban environment that serves as the backdrop for the story.
As of the current date, there are no confirmed plans for a sequel to Proud Mary. However, the ending leaves room for potential future storylines.
🔥 Bonus Content
From the archives: Tina Turner on a life of suffering and triumph
Ever wondered about the real story behind Tina Turner’s incredible strength and powerful voice? This interview dives deep into her life, including her abusive relationship with Ike Turner. It’s a raw and honest look at a true legend – you won’t believe what she went through!
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