🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Robert Lorenz
- Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller
- Release year: 2021
- Runtime (length): 1h 48min
- IMDb rating: 5.7/10 (46K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 37%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Liam Neeson yells at cartel members while driving a bullet-ridden truck to Chicago with a kid.
🍿 The Marksman: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Troubled Rancher Meets a Family in Need
Jim Hanson, a financially struggling rancher and former Marine living near the Arizona-Mexico border, is haunted by the loss of his wife. He spends his days patrolling his property, often encountering migrants crossing into the U.S. One day, he encounters Rosa and her son Miguel, fleeing from a dangerous cartel.

Escaping the Cartel
When the cartel, led by the ruthless Mauricio, arrives in pursuit, Jim is forced to intervene. A shootout ensues, resulting in Rosa’s death and Jim becoming Miguel’s protector. With Rosa’s dying wish, Jim promises to take Miguel to his family in Chicago, setting them on a perilous journey across the country. This accidental encounter leads Jim to break from his normal routine, becoming a protector of a boy in dire need.

Cross-Country Chase
As Jim and Miguel travel towards Chicago, they are relentlessly pursued by Mauricio and his men. Their journey is fraught with danger, forcing Jim to use his skills to evade the cartel at every turn. Along the way, the unlikely pair forms a bond, with Jim becoming a surrogate father figure to Miguel.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Jim Hanson (Liam Neeson): A financially struggling, widowed ex-Marine rancher who becomes the protector of a young boy fleeing a cartel.
- Miguel (Jacob Perez): A young Mexican boy on the run from a cartel after his family is targeted.
- Mauricio Guerrero (Juan Pablo Raba): The ruthless cartel leader relentlessly pursuing Miguel to retrieve stolen money and exact revenge.
- Rosa (Teresa Ruiz): Miguel’s desperate mother who entrusts her son’s safety to Jim Hanson.
- Sarah (Katheryn Winnick): Jim’s stepdaughter and a Border Patrol agent, torn between duty and family loyalty.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Jim: “I don’t scare easy.” – Jim says this to the cartel leader, Mauricio, showing his determination to protect Miguel despite the danger.
- Rosa: “Take him to Chicago.” – Rosa’s dying wish, entrusting Miguel’s safety to Jim.
- Jim: “It’s a long drive to Chicago.” – Jim says this to Miguel as they embark on their journey, highlighting the challenges ahead.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $23,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $15,566,093
- Worldwide Gross: $23,076,711
💥 The Marksman Reviews
Personal Review
I watched ‘The Marksman’ expecting another ‘Taken’-esque Liam Neeson movie, but it was much more subdued. While the action was decent, the movie focused more on the relationship between Jim and Miguel. The scenes where they bonded over shared experiences were impactful, and it made the ending feel earned. It wasn’t groundbreaking, but I enjoyed it for its character moments.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of Liam Neeson action movies”
- “Viewers interested in border-themed thrillers”
- “Those who enjoy stories of unlikely bonds forming in difficult circumstances”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence”
- “Gun violence”
- “Some strong language”
- “Brief drug references”
Professional Reviews
- ScreenRant: “While The Marksman offers familiar thrills, it doesn’t break new ground. Neeson delivers a solid performance, but the plot feels predictable. It’s an adequate action flick but lacks depth.
- IMDB: “Less of an action film and more of a bland, road-trip style drama. There is a poorly filmed fistfight that lasts about 10 seconds, as well as a mild getaway type of scenario that our hero has to escape from, and that’s about it.
Audience Reactions
Liam Neeson delivers another dependable action performance.: Viewers generally appreciated Neeson’s portrayal of a grizzled protector and the unlikely bond he forms with the young boy.
Overall Consensus: The Marksman is a serviceable action-thriller with a focus on character development, although some find it predictable and lacking in action compared to other Liam Neeson films.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Robert Lorenz, the director, has a long history with Clint Eastwood, having worked as a producer on many of Eastwood’s films. The inclusion of a scene from Eastwood’s ‘Hang ‘Em High’ is a nod to their collaboration.”
- “The script was co-written by two first-time screenwriters, Chris Charles and Danny Kravitz, alongside director Robert Lorenz.”
🖥️ How to Watch The Marksman?
The Marksman is available for streaming on platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. You can also rent or purchase the movie through these services. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options as well. For physical copies, look for it on Blu-ray and DVD at major retailers and online.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed The Marksman, you might like these similar films:
- Gran Torino (2008): Features an aging, hardened man who forms an unlikely bond with a young person he initially dislikes, protecting them from local gangs.
- Logan (2017): An aging Wolverine must protect a young mutant girl from sinister forces, sharing themes of protection, redemption, and a road-trip narrative.
- Man on Fire (2004): A bodyguard vows revenge and protection for a young girl from kidnappers, emphasizing action and a strong bond.
- News of the World (2020): A Civil War veteran takes on the responsibility of returning a young girl to her family, sharing themes of responsibility and protecting the vulnerable.
🛒 The Marksman Related Products
- The Marksman [Blu-ray]: Own the action-packed adventure of The Marksman on Blu-ray! Experience Liam Neeson’s performance in high definition with bonus content.
- Liam Neeson Action Collection [DVD]: A collection of Liam Neeson’s thrilling action movies, including Taken, Non-Stop and more. A must-have for action movie enthusiasts.
- Border Patrol Truck: The Border Patrol Truck is an iconic symbol of the US Border Patrol. The truck makes a great displayable.
🎧 Soundtrack
The Marksman 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
The Marksman was primarily filmed in Ohio, USA, specifically in Wellington, Ohio for store scenes. Additional filming locations included Arizona for the border scenes.
The Marksman is a fictional story, although it touches on themes related to border security and cartel violence, which are real-world issues.
The Marksman is rated PG-13 for violence, some language and brief drug references. Parents should consider this when deciding if the movie is suitable for younger viewers.
🔥 Bonus Content
DROOPY THE MASTER MARKSMAN💥 #2A #droopy #nostalgia #lol #marksman #pewpew #expert #funny #classic
Check out Droopy as a total marksman in this short clip! It’s hilarious how skilled (or lucky!) he is. You won’t regret this 39 second time waster.
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