The Samaritan
The Samaritan Image
See the trailer
Metascore
37 out of 100

Generally unfavorable - based on 15 Critics What's this?

User Score
5.3 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 6 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • Summary: After twenty‐five years in prison, Foley is finished with the grifters life. When he meets an elusive young woman named Iris, the possibility of a new start looks real. But his past is proving to be a stubborn companion: Ethan, the son of his former partner, has an ingenious plan and he wants Foley in. The harder Foley tries to escape his past, the tighter he is ensnared in Ethans web of secrets, until it becomes all too clear to Foley that some wrongs can never be made right. (IFC Films)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 15
  3. Negative: 5 out of 15
  1. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    May 16, 2012
    75
    The Samaritan isn't a great noir, but it's true to the tradition and gives Samuel L. Jackson one of his best recent roles.
  2. Movieline
    Reviewed by: Alison Willmore
    May 17, 2012
    55
    Svelte enough in its reassembling of familiar elements to be, for a while, as comfortably pleasant as sipping on what once used to be your go-to drink - until The Samaritan takes a jarring turn right out of Park Chan-wook, and from there takes a tumble into ludicrousness from which it doesn't recover.
  3. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Nick Schager
    May 15, 2012
    30
    Weaver's story slowly begins to buckle under the weight of its own self-seriousness and familiarity, concluding with a showdown and resolution marked by one implausible and unsatisfying been-here-done-that twist after another.

See all 15 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. Beastman21
    5
    âThe Samaritanâ is an old fashioned noir thriller that moves at a snailâs pace and does not offer audiences anything we have seen before. There is a drastic twist about half way through and a subtle turn by the usually over the top Samuel L. Jackson (The Avengers) that are commendable, the film as a whole is merely forgettable. Executive produced as well by Jackson and under the direction of Canadian filmmaker David Weaver, the film follows Jackson as Foley, an ex-grifter that has just gotten out of prison for a twenty-five year sentence for murder. He wants to stay out of trouble and learns that all his old friends are either locked up or dead. So he works during the day and hits the bar by himself that is until his ex-partnerâs slimy son Ethan (Luke Kirby) arrives trying to get him back into world of crime. Along the way, Foley befriends a much younger woman, Iris (Ruth Negga), and wants to start a life with her. However, Ethan has leverage on both and will use it to get his way. For the noir genre,â The Samaritanâ works for the most part; even the twist is part of the noir buildup of something coming out of nowhere. However, the film just seems to drag at times and is a snoozer throughout. Jackson low key performance is notable, as is the work of Ruth Negga as Iris, whom is a successful stage star in Ireland. Tom Wilkinson (In the Bedroom) chews the scenery in his small role as a brutal criminal who loves champagne.… Expand

Trailers

Current Movie Releases

Full List »
  1. Argo
    Metascore: 86
  2. Looper
    Metascore: 84
  3. Frankenweenie
    Metascore: 74
  4. Wreck-It Ralph
    Metascore: 73
  5. End of Watch
    Metascore: 70
  6. Dredd
    Metascore: 59
  7. Cloud Atlas
    Metascore: 55
  8. Sinister
    Metascore: 53
  9. Hotel Transylvania
    Metascore: 47
  10. Taken 2
    Metascore: 45
  11. Chasing Mavericks
    Metascore: 44
  12. Paranormal Activity 4
    Metascore: 40
  13. Resident Evil: Retribution
    Metascore: 39
  14. The Words
    Metascore: 37
  15. House at the End of the Street
    Metascore: 31
  16. Silent Hill: Revelation 3D
    Metascore: 15
All Current Movies »