🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Patrick Hughes
- Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime, Thriller
- Release year: 2017
- Runtime (length): 1h 58min
- IMDb rating: 6.9/10 (254K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 43%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A very uptight bodyguard must protect a loudmouth assassin from an evil dictator, all while dealing with relationship problems and philosophical debates about the proper way to shoot people.
🍿 The Hitman’s Bodyguard: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Bryce’s Fall from Grace
Michael Bryce (Ryan Reynolds) was once a highly respected AAA-rated protection agent. His career takes a devastating hit when a client he’s protecting is assassinated. This incident leads to a significant downturn in his professional life, impacting his reputation and self-esteem. He blames Interpol agent Amelia Roussel (Elodie Yung), his ex-girlfriend, for the failure.

The Assignment: Protect Kincaid
Two years later, Bryce is struggling to maintain his career as a bodyguard. He’s offered a chance at redemption when Interpol tasks him with protecting Darius Kincaid (Samuel L. Jackson), a notorious hitman. Kincaid is needed to testify against Vladislav Dukhovich (Gary Oldman), a ruthless dictator on trial for war crimes at the International Criminal Court. This unlikely pairing sets the stage for a dangerous and comedic journey.

Unlikely Allies
Bryce and Kincaid have a history of animosity, further complicating their mission. They are polar opposites in their approaches: Bryce meticulous and by-the-book, Kincaid chaotic and unpredictable. Despite their differences, they must learn to work together to survive the constant attacks from Dukhovich’s forces and navigate the treacherous path to The Hague.

Amsterdam Mayhem
The journey takes them to Amsterdam, where Kincaid’s wife, Sonia (Salma Hayek), is imprisoned. Their time in Amsterdam is marked by intense action sequences, including chases through the city’s canals and streets. This section reveals the depth of Kincaid’s love for Sonia and Bryce’s growing respect for Kincaid’s unconventional methods.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Michael Bryce (Ryan Reynolds): A disgraced protection agent who must escort a hitman across Europe to restore his reputation.
- Darius Kincaid (Samuel L. Jackson): A notorious hitman who agrees to testify against a dictator in exchange for his wife’s freedom.
- Vladislav Dukhovich (Gary Oldman): The ruthless and tyrannical Belarusian dictator on trial for war crimes who seeks to silence Kincaid.
- Amelia Roussel (Elodie Yung): An Interpol agent and Bryce’s ex-girlfriend, who enlists his help to protect Kincaid and uncover a mole within the agency.
- Sonia Kincaid (Salma Hayek): Darius Kincaid’s fiery and equally violent wife, whose freedom is his primary motivation for testifying.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Darius Kincaid: “Complacency gets you killed.” – Kincaid’s advice to Bryce after the initial ambush, highlighting his survival philosophy.
- Michael Bryce: “Boring is always best.” – Bryce’s mantra for staying safe as a bodyguard, which is constantly challenged by Kincaid.
- Darius Kincaid: “Every day is somebody’s anniversary.” – Kincaid’s philosophy on celebrating life, which contrasts with Bryce’s regimented lifestyle.
- Michael Bryce: “He’s using my techniques against me.” – Bryce’s realization that Kincaid is a formidable adversary, understanding his protective strategies.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $30,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $75,468,583
- Worldwide Gross: $183,431,147
💥 The Hitman’s Bodyguard Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, I gotta admit, I went into this movie not expecting much, but I was laughing my head off! Reynolds and Jackson are hilarious together, and the action scenes are just insane. I particularly loved the boat chase in Amsterdam; it was so over-the-top but in the best way possible. Definitely a fun movie to watch with friends!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of buddy cop movies”
- “Those who enjoy action comedies with lots of explosions”
- “Viewers looking for a light-hearted, entertaining film with charismatic leads”
- “Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson fans”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Strong language”
- “Graphic violence”
- “Mature themes”
Professional Reviews
- RogerEbert.com: “While predictable, the film is undeniably entertaining due to the chemistry between Reynolds and Jackson. Their constant bickering and contrasting styles provide consistent laughs, even when the plot falters.
- Variety: “The movie’s plot is formulaic, but Reynolds and Jackson elevate the material with their charismatic performances. It’s a fun, if not particularly memorable, action-comedy experience.
- The Hollywood Reporter: “The Hitman’s Bodyguard is a wild, energetic ride that benefits greatly from its stars’ commitment to the humor and action. Though the story is thin, the entertainment value is high.
Audience Reactions
Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson’s chemistry is undeniably electric.: Viewers raved about the comedic timing and banter between the two leads.
The action sequences are thrilling and over-the-top.: The film delivers exciting and creative action scenes, especially the chases.
Overall Consensus: A fun, action-packed comedy elevated by the dynamic chemistry between Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson, though the plot is somewhat predictable.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The role of Darius Kincaid was originally offered to Liam Neeson.”
- “Several scenes were filmed on location in Amsterdam, including the canal chase sequence.”
- “The film’s score was composed by Atli Örvarsson, who also worked on ‘Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters’ (2013) and ‘Vantage Point’ (2008).”
🖥️ How to Watch The Hitman’s Bodyguard?
The Hitman’s Bodyguard is available to stream on platforms such as Prime Video with a subscription or for purchase. You can also rent or buy the movie on Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check your local listings for television airings.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed The Hitman’s Bodyguard, you might like these similar films:
- Lethal Weapon (1987): Classic buddy cop action-comedy with mismatched partners forced to work together.
- Midnight Run (1988): A bounty hunter must transport a mob accountant across the country, facing similar challenges and comedic situations.
- The Nice Guys (2016): A more recent action-comedy with a similar dynamic between the leads and a crime-solving plot.
- Bullet Train (2022): An action comedy about a hitman on a train with several other assassins. Has similarities because of the fast paced action and dark humor.
🛒 The Hitman’s Bodyguard Related Products
- The Hitman’s Bodyguard [Blu-ray]: Own the action-packed comedy on Blu-ray, featuring behind-the-scenes content and extended scenes.
- The Hitman’s Bodyguard Movie Poster: High-quality print featuring the iconic poster art of Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson.
- The Hitman’s Bodyguard: Script Book: Get the official script and immerse yourself in the dialogues and plot with added behind-the-scenes info.
- Samuel L. Jackson Signed ‘The Hitman’s Bodyguard’ Movie Photo: Rare autographed photo of Samuel L. Jackson as Darius Kincaid, certified authentic.
🎧 Soundtrack
The Hitman’s Bodyguard features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Nobody Gets Out Alive” – performed by David Buckley
- “Hello” – performed by Lionel Richie
- “I Want to Know What Love Is” – performed by Foreigner
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
As of now, there are no definite plans for ‘The Hitman’s Bodyguard 3.’ However, given the success of the first two films, it’s possible that a third installment could be developed in the future. The second movie was titled, “The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard”.
The primary antagonist in ‘The Hitman’s Bodyguard’ is Vladislav Dukhovich, played by Gary Oldman. He is a ruthless and bloodthirsty dictator of Belarus, on trial for crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court.
The Hitman’s Bodyguard was filmed in various locations across Europe, including London, Amsterdam, and Bulgaria. These locations contributed to the film’s international feel and provided a backdrop for the action-packed sequences.
🔥 Bonus Content
Are Action Films Meaningful?
Ever wonder if action movies are just mindless entertainment? This video argues that they can actually be quite meaningful, using ‘The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard’ as an example. It dives into the Birmingham School of Cultural Studies and explores how these films can reflect and critique society. So next time you’re watching an action flick, take a moment to think about what it might be saying about the world we live in.
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