Samaritan Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Old man yells at kid to leave him alone, but then they bond over beating up bad guys, only for the old man to reveal he was the *real* bad guy all along, whoops!

🍿 Samaritan: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Granite City and the Legend of Samaritan

Granite City is depicted as a gritty, crime-ridden metropolis haunted by the legend of Samaritan, a superhero who vanished 25 years prior after a battle with his nemesis. Thirteen-year-old Sam Cleary believes Samaritan is still alive, a hope fueled by the city’s desperate need for a hero. He becomes convinced that his reclusive neighbor, Joe Smith, is actually the missing Samaritan.

Sam’s Investigation and Joe’s Hidden Abilities

Sam dedicates himself to proving Joe’s true identity. He observes Joe exhibiting superhuman strength and resilience, further solidifying his suspicions. Meanwhile, a rising criminal mastermind named Cyrus seeks to plunge the city into chaos by emulating Nemesis, the legendary villain. Cyrus’s actions force Joe to confront his past and reveal glimpses of his extraordinary abilities.

Cyrus’s Reign of Terror and the City’s Descent

Cyrus unleashes a wave of destruction upon Granite City, exploiting the city’s vulnerabilities and inciting widespread panic. He idolizes Nemesis, believing the villain was a champion of the downtrodden. Sam becomes entangled in Cyrus’s schemes, forcing Joe to intervene and protect the young boy, further exposing his powers to the world.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Joe (Sylvester Stallone): A reclusive garbage collector who is secretly the supervillain Nemesis, living in hiding after the apparent death of his twin brother Samaritan.
• Sam Cleary (Javon ‘Wanna’ Walton): A determined thirteen-year-old boy who suspects his neighbor is the missing superhero Samaritan and tries to coax him back into action.
• Cyrus (Pilou Asbæk): A ruthless criminal who adopts the identity of Nemesis to plunge the city into chaos.
• Tiffany Cleary (Dascha Polanco): Sam’s struggling single mother, trying to make ends meet in a crime-ridden city.
• Reza (Moises Arias): A small-time criminal and member of Cyrus’s gang, initially hiring Sam for petty theft.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Joe: “I’m a troglodyte. Do you know what that is? It’s Greek for a man who dwells in a cave.” – Joe explains his desire to be alone and away from society when talking to Sam.
• Cyrus: “Samaritan only protected the rich. Nemesis, he punched up.” – Cyrus shares his perspective on the difference between Samaritan and Nemesis, trying to inspire others to follow Nemesis’s destructive path.
• Joe: “People like to believe the stories they want to believe.” – Joe explains his desire to be alone and away from society when talking to Sam.
• Joe: “It’s not about sides. Good, bad. Heroes, villains. It’s about choices.” – Joe’s summary of the complex struggle between Samaritan and Nemesis. The moral of the story.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $100,000,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Samaritan Reviews

Personal Review

I went into ‘Samaritan’ hoping for some vintage Stallone action, and while there were moments, it wasn’t quite what I expected. The twist was interesting, but it felt rushed. I enjoyed the dynamic between Stallone and the young actor, it gave the movie heart. The visuals were gritty and suited the tone, making Granite City feel truly lived-in and hopeless. It’s not a perfect superhero movie, but it kept me entertained, so I am happy. I loved the opening comic book style scene. Really gave the whole movie a good feel and was an engaging way to start the movie. Stallone still has ‘it’!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Sylvester Stallone”
  • “Viewers interested in superhero deconstruction”
  • “Those who enjoy gritty, urban settings”
  • “Audiences looking for a twist ending”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Profanity”
  • “Thematic elements of crime and urban decay”
  • “Brief scenes of peril”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “”Samaritan” boasts a committed performance from Stallone, but a derivative story and lackluster execution prevent it from reaching its potential. The film’s themes of heroism and redemption feel hollow, while the action sequences lack impact.
• IGN: “Samaritan has a couple of fun action moments. The relationship between Stallone and Walton gives the film a heart it otherwise lacks, but ultimately this is a pretty generic superhero story without any real ambition.

Audience Reactions

Twist ending changes the whole movie and makes you think about who is really good and bad: Many appreciated the twist ending, citing it as a surprising and thought-provoking element that set it apart from typical superhero fare.

Stallone’s performance showcases vulnerability alongside his usual tough-guy persona, making him relatable: Stallone’s performance, praised for its blend of vulnerability and action, adds depth, making him more relatable.

Overall Consensus: While Stallone delivers a solid performance, ‘Samaritan’ is a mixed bag with a predictable plot and uneven execution, though some viewers find the twist ending redeeming.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is inspired by the movies ‘Unbreakable’ and ‘Finding Forrester’.”
• “Julius Avery is credited as one of the writers in the movie, although he is better known as the director.”

🖥️ How to Watch Samaritan?

Samaritan is exclusively available on Prime Video for streaming. As an Amazon Studios production, it is included with a Prime membership. At this time, the movie is not available for rent or purchase on other digital platforms like Apple TV or Google Play.

🎥 Similar Movies

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

• Unbreakable (2000): Shares the theme of a seemingly ordinary individual discovering hidden superhuman abilities.
• Finding Forrester (2000): Features an unlikely friendship between an older, reclusive man and a gifted young student.
• Logan (2017): Deals with an aging superhero struggling with their powers and past, trying to protect a younger person.

🛒 Samaritan Related Products

• Samaritan Movie Poster: High-quality print featuring the official movie poster. Captures the essence of the film’s gritty aesthetic and is perfect for displaying your love for superhero stories.
• The Essential Sylvester Stallone Collection [Blu-ray]: Collection of Sylvester Stallone’s most iconic films, including ‘Rocky’, ‘Rambo’, and more. Provides hours of entertainment and showcases Stallone’s versatility as an action star.
• Action Figure – Sylvester Stallone as Samaritan: Detailed action figure of Sylvester Stallone’s character, Samaritan. High level of detail that brings the character to life.
• Granite City T-Shirt: Show your appreciation for the film’s setting with a Granite City t-shirt.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Memories of Benny” – performed by John Dankworth

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Rooftop Boxing with Sylvester Stallone

Want to see Sylvester Stallone goofing around and boxing on a rooftop? This short clip is hilarious and gives you a fun peek at what it’s like behind the scenes of Samaritan!

Samaritan (Nemesis)- All Powers from Samaritan

Ever wondered exactly what Samaritan’s superpowers are and what his weaknesses might be? This video breaks it all down, so you can really appreciate the action in the movie!

✨ Rate