Abduction

2011

Abduction

Critics Consensus

A soulless and incompetent action/thriller not even a veteran lead actor could save, let alone Taylor Lautner.

5%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 107

42%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 44,655

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Movie Info

For as long as he can remember, Nathan Harper (Taylor Lautner) has had the uneasy feeling that he's living someone else's life. When he stumbles upon an image of himself as a little boy on a missing persons website, all of Nathan's darkest fears come true: he realizes his parents are not his own and his life is a lie, carefully fabricated to hide something more mysterious and dangerous than he could have ever imagined. Just as he begins to piece together his true identity, Nathan is targeted by a team of trained killers, forcing him on the run with the only person he can trust, his neighbor, Karen (Lily Collins). Every second counts as Nathan and Karen race to evade an army of assassins and federal operatives. But as his opponents close in, Nathan realizes that the only way he'll survive and solve the mystery of his elusive biological father is to stop running and take matters into his own hands. -- (C) Lionsgate
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (for sequences of intense violence and action, brief language, some sexual content and teen partying)
  • Genre:
    Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense
  • Directed By:
    John Singleton
  • Written By:
    Shawn Christensen
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Box Office:
    $27,600,000
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Lionsgate Films

Cast

Taylor Lautner
as Nathan
Lily Collins
as Karen
Alfred Molina
as Burton
Antonique Smith
as Agent Sandra Burns
Jason Isaacs
as Kevin
Maria Bello
as Mara
Sigourney Weaver
as Dr. Bennett
Denzel Whitaker
as Gilly
Michael Nyqvist
as Kozlow
Jake Andolina
as CIA Man
Oriah Acima Andrews
as Riah
Ken Arnold
as Thermal
Steve Blass
as Game Announcer
Derek Burnell
as Hot Dog Vendor
Benjamin J. Cain Jr.
as Driver
Holly Scott Cavanaugh
as Mrs. Murphy
Radick Cembryznski
as Kozlow's Tech
Richard Cetrone
as Gregory
Mike Clark
as News Reporter
Jack Erdie
as Short Sleeves
Rita Gregory
as Nurse
Tim Griffin
as Red Flannel
Nathan Hollabaugh
as Cop
Mike Lee
as Tech
James Liebro
as Stadium Usher
Frank Lloyd
as Brighton Beach #2
Christopher Mahoney
as Caretaker
Emily Peachey
as Girl
William Peltz
as Jake
Elisabeth Röhm
as Woman/Lorna
Nickola Shreli
as Alek
Roger Guenveur Smith
as Mr. Miles
Adam Christian Stanley
as CIA Swat Leader
Art Terry
as Amtrak Security Guard
Ilia Volok
as Sweater
Cherokee Walker
as Helicopter Pilot
Allen Williamson
as Billy
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News & Interviews for Abduction

Critics Consensus: Moneyball is Certified Fresh
Five Favorite Films With Taylor Lautner
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Critic Reviews for Abduction

All Critics (107) | Top Critics (26) | Fresh (5) | Rotten (102)

  • The holes in the film's twist-filled story are often so big you could almost squeeze Lautner's sex appeal through them.

    October 18, 2011 | Rating: 1/5

    Jim Schembri

    The Age (Australia)
    Top Critic

  • Some movies are hard to spoof.

    September 30, 2011 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

    Charlotte O'Sullivan

    London Evening Standard
    Top Critic

  • Sigourney Weaver? After Avatar, surely she doesn't need the cash?

    September 29, 2011 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

    Catherine Shoard

    Guardian
    Top Critic

  • While the ultra-banal dialogue draws the occasional titter, the action scenes are tame and it's rife with plot holes that you could navigate a burning blimp through.

    September 27, 2011 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

    David Jenkins

    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • The movie is a more objective opportunity to assess Lautner's potential as a general-purpose action hero once his emo-goth run wraps. You might not want to go betting on that one.

    September 26, 2011 | Rating: 1.5/4 | Full Review…

    Tom Russo

    Boston Globe
    Top Critic

  • A blockhead espionage thriller from director-for-hire John Singleton (Boyz N the Hood).

    September 25, 2011 | Full Review…

    Benjamin Mercer

    Village Voice
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (107)

Audience Reviews for Abduction

  • Feb 19, 2016
    Despite having some potential it is completely weighed down. Abduction tries to be like the Bourne films as well as having some Twilight like romance. This movie has literally little to no redeeming qualities and is definitely not worth your time unless you're into inept teen flicks.
    Mr N Super Reviewer
  • Apr 19, 2014
    Taylor Lautner needs a better starring vehicle than this. This film needed a major re-write. They had a good idea for a film but didn't execute it correctly. They tried to make Taylor like Matt Damon's Jason Bourne and it doesn't work here. It reminded me of the film Cold Light of Day with Henry Cavill and Bruce Willis. I thought that film was a little bit better than this one. One major problem is that character's aren't well developed. Another problem was the casting. I thought Taylor was better in the Twilight films or even Valentine's Day than this film. In my opinion he had no on screen chemistry with Lilly Collins. Lilly was better in Mirror Mirror than this film. Michael Nyqvist was better in Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol than here. A lot of the supporting actors, I am betting did this film for the paycheck. I hope Taylor's next film will be better than this one.
    Sol C Super Reviewer
  • Jul 08, 2013
    3.25. Honestly a lot better than I thought it would be. Not like Lautner is an awesome actor or anything, but he's far from bad. Down the line, he could actually be a decent action movie hero lol. It's kind of a long shot, but it's possible. One of the few reasons that I like this film (other than that I'm always down for an espionage film, is the veteran cast. Maria Bello, Sigourney Weaver, and Doc Oc from Spiderman 2 (can't remember his name lol) are all very good here, and I always love Jason Isaacs.
    Stephen S Super Reviewer
  • Jan 26, 2013
    Since Nathan(Taylor Lautner) so enjoyed a high school party that he woke up on the lawn the following morning, it should come as no surprise that there is a hangover for him which is not helped when his father(Jason Isaacs) spars with him on his belated return. At least, his mother(Maria Bello) is kind enough to simply ground him for a week. That gives Nathan plenty of time work on a sociology project with Karen(Lily Collins), a cute classmate, who despite his own good looks and being star of the wrestling team, he cannot otherwise work up the courage to talk to. However, that will soon be the least of his problems as Nikola Kozlow(Michael Nyqvist) is about to change his life forever. For the record, I do not believe in the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus or gulty pleasures. Either you like something on its own merits and admit it publicly or you don't.(And don't even get me started on hate watching.) But when "Abduction" turns left when I was expecting it to go right, I was worried it might still find a way into that infamous category but it stays grounded enough in reality, including a sincere look at what it means to be a father, for it to work, however shakily. Throughout, John Singleton keeps this thriller moving in an old school sort of way, replete with a suitably nasty villain and an exciting climax. Yes, the movie falters whenever the young leads take center stage(kids these days...) but on the plus side you have Maria Bello and Jason Isaacs playing a married couple, plus Alfred Molina and Sigourney Weaver in other supporting roles.
    Walter M Super Reviewer
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