The Commuter Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Liam Neeson gets peer-pressured into a deadly game of ‘I Spy’ on his commute because someone offered him a boatload of cash, and it ends with a train doing its best impression of a roller coaster.

🍿 The Commuter: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Commuter’s Routine Disrupted

Michael MacCauley, a former cop turned insurance salesman, leads a predictable life, commuting daily to New York City. His routine is upended when he’s unexpectedly fired from his job after a decade, leaving him facing severe financial strain.

The Mysterious Joanna’s Offer

During his commute home, Michael encounters Joanna, a mysterious woman who presents him with a proposition: locate a specific passenger on the train in exchange for a substantial sum of money. The task seems simple at first, but Michael soon discovers that accepting Joanna’s offer plunges him into a dangerous conspiracy.

Caught in a Deadly Game

As Michael delves deeper into the task, he realizes that the stakes are much higher than he initially thought. He is forced to make impossible choices and confront deadly consequences, all while racing against time to protect himself and his family. He must discern who to trust among the train’s passengers, each of whom becomes a suspect in this high-stakes game.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Michael MacCauley (Liam Neeson): A former cop and insurance salesman who gets caught in a dangerous conspiracy on his daily commute.
• Joanna (Vera Farmiga): A mysterious woman who entangles Michael in a life-threatening game on the train.
• Alex Murphy (Patrick Wilson): Michael’s former police partner who is revealed to be corrupt and involved in the conspiracy.
• Sofia (Ella-Rae Smith): The key witness that Michael must protect, carrying incriminating evidence.
• Walt (Jonathan Banks): A fellow commuter who tries to help Michael and becomes a victim of the conspiracy.
• Captain Hawthorne (Sam Neill): Michael’s former captain and a figure of authority who helps to uncover the truth.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Joanna: “Imagine the moral calculus it must have taken for you to get to this point in your life. The compromises, the justifications.” – Said by Joanna when she first meets Michael, setting up the moral dilemma he will face.
• Joanna: “Sometimes, when you’re desperate, you do things you never thought possible.” – Said by Joanna, hinting at the difficult choice Michael will have to make to protect his family.
• Michael MacCauley: “Hey, Goldman Sachs. On behalf of the American middle class, fuck you.” – Spoken by Michael as a moment of frustration and symbolic defiance against the financial institutions that have negatively impacted his life.
• Michael MacCauley: “I’m trying to save lives here!” – Exclaimed by Michael as he fights to protect the passengers on the train and prevent the planned disaster.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $30,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $36,343,858
• Worldwide Gross: $119,942,434

💥 The Commuter Reviews

Personal Review

I went into ‘The Commuter’ wanting a fun, action-packed thriller, and that’s pretty much what I got. It’s definitely one of those movies where you have to suspend disbelief, but if you’re willing to do that, it’s a blast. I especially enjoyed the fight scene in the train car – super intense and well-choreographed. Though, it definitely felt like I was watching ‘Taken’ on a train. Overall, I had a good time, but it’s not going to win any awards for originality.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Liam Neeson action thrillers”
  • “Viewers who enjoy mystery plots with twists”
  • “People looking for a suspenseful, fast-paced movie”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence and action sequences”
  • “Brief strong language”
  • “Intense thriller themes”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “While ‘The Commuter’ delivers on its promise of Liam Neeson action, the plot’s reliance on unbelievable scenarios undermines the overall experience. The film’s strength lies in its suspenseful moments and Neeson’s commanding presence, but the convoluted narrative ultimately derails the potential.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Jaume Collet-Serra crafts a visually engaging thriller, making effective use of the confined train setting. However, the story’s escalating absurdity and reliance on convenient plot devices detract from the film’s initial intrigue.
• Empire: “‘The Commuter’ offers a solid dose of Liam Neeson doing what he does best: playing a man caught in an impossible situation. The film is a fun ride despite its implausibilities, packed with intense action and a compelling mystery.

Audience Reactions

Liam Neeson delivers another solid action performance.: Viewers generally enjoyed the fast-paced action and suspenseful plot, making it a thrilling watch despite its flaws.

The plot twists kept me guessing until the end.: The film successfully creates a mysterious atmosphere, engaging the audience with its various puzzles and unexpected plot twists.

Overall Consensus: A serviceable action-thriller with Liam Neeson doing what he does best, although it may not be the most original or realistic film.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Liam Neeson has stated that no scenes were filmed on board an actual train. Instead, all of the interior train scenes were shot on a soundstage, using a single mock-up train carriage that was slightly modified for different scenes.”
• “Director Jaume Collet-Serra and Liam Neeson have collaborated on several action thrillers, including ‘Unknown,’ ‘Non-Stop,’ and ‘Run All Night,’ making ‘The Commuter’ their fourth collaboration in the genre.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Commuter?

The Commuter is currently available for streaming on platforms such as Prime Video with a subscription. You can also rent or purchase the movie on demand from services like Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for television airings.

🎥 Similar Movies

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

• Non-Stop (2014): Another Liam Neeson action thriller directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, this time set on an airplane where he must find a killer before more passengers die.
• Unknown (2011): Another Liam Neeson/Jaume Collet-Serra collaboration where Neeson’s character finds himself in a conspiracy where his identity is questioned.
• Murder on the Orient Express (2017): Features a similar mystery set on a train, where a detective must uncover a killer among the passengers.
• Source Code (2011): Shares the theme of preventing a train disaster with limited time, but with a sci-fi twist involving time travel.
• The Taking of Pelham 123 (2009): Explores the suspense of a hostage situation on a New York City subway train, with themes of negotiation and moral dilemmas.

🛒 The Commuter Related Products

• Funko Pop! Movies: The Commuter – Liam Neeson as Michael MacCauley: A stylized collectible showcasing Liam Neeson’s character, Michael MacCauley. This figure is a great way for fans to own a piece of the movie.
• Action Movies Starring Liam Neeson Blu-ray Collection: A collection of Liam Neeson’s best action movies, including Taken, Non-Stop, and Run All Night. Enjoy hours of intense action and thrilling storylines.
• Train Sim World 2: Hudson Line – New York to Poughkeepsie Route Add-On: Experience the thrill of driving a Metro-North train along the Hudson Line in this realistic train simulator. Recreate the route from the film and test your skills.
• Official ‘The Commuter’ Movie Poster – Limited Edition Print: A high-quality print of the official movie poster, featuring Liam Neeson. This limited-edition poster is a stylish addition to any movie fan’s collection.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Melting Pot” – performed by Blue Mink

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

$100 000 Question, Who Doesn’t Belong Here?

In this intriguing clip, a character from ‘The Commuter’ must answer a life-or-death question to survive his daily commute. Will he make the right choice? Watch to find out!

The Commuter – Movie Review

Chris Stuckmann takes a critical look at ‘The Commuter’ and shares his thoughts on Liam Neeson’s performance, the plot, and the overall execution of the film. Is it a must-watch or a miss? Let’s find out!

✨ Rate