The Brave One

2007

The Brave One

Critics Consensus

Magnetic by between Jodie Foster and Terrence Howard can't quite compensate for The Brave One's problematic and unconvincing eye-for-an-eye moral.

43%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 184

64%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 274,386
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Movie Info

New York radio host Erica Bain has a life that she loves and a fiance she adores. All of it is taken from her when a brutal attack leaves Erica badly wounded and her fiance dead. Unable to move past the tragedy, Erica begins prowling the city streets at night to track down the men she holds responsible. Her dark pursuit of justice catches the public's attention, and the city is riveted by her anonymous exploits. But, with the NYPD desperate to find the culprit and a dogged police detective hot on her trail, she must decide whether her quest for revenge is truly the right path, or whether she is becoming the very thing she is trying to stop.

Cast

Terence DaShon Howard
Jodie Foster
as Erica Bain
Terrence Howard
as Mercer
Nicky Katt
as Detective Vitale
Naveen Andrews
as David
Mary Steenburgen
as Carol
Jane Adams (II)
as Nicole
Gordon MacDonald
as Murrow
Blake Foster
as Cash
Ene Oloja
as Josai
Luis Da Silva Jr.
as Lee
Blaze Foster
as Cash
Rafael Sardina
as Reed
Zoë Kravitz
as Chloe
John Magaro
as Ethan
Victor Colicchio
as Cutler
Julia Garro
as Shauna Nelson
Jermel Howard
as Thug on Subway
James Biberi
as Detective Pitney
Brian Delate
as Detective O'Connor
Lenny Venito
as Mortell
Carmen Ejogo
as Jackie
Dana Eskelson
as Sketch Artist
Angel Sing
as Gun Dealer
Yolande Bavan
as David's Mother
Ivo Velon
as James
Tina Sloan
as Stationary Saleswoman
Jaime Tirelli
as Pawn Shop Guy
Larry Fessenden
as Sandy Combs
An Nguyen
as Ida Combs
Brian Tarantina
as Gun Store Clerk
Nguyen Anh Hoa
as Ida Combs
Michael Anthony Williams
as Subway Dad
Jesús Ruiz
as Chief of Detectives
Jemel Howard
as Thug on Subway No. 1
Hope Adams
as Press Conference Reporter
Dennis L.A. White
as Thug on Subway No. 2
Joseph Melendez
as Press Conference Reporter
Ted Neustadt
as Press Conference Reporter
Brett Berg
as Ethan's Friend
Dr. Jeffery Manko
as Emergency Room Doctor
Mick Cunningham
as Precinct Cop
Lisa Joyce
as CPA Worker
Tom Greer
as Desk Cop
David Naizir
as Guy Outside Subway Station
Robert Michael McClure
as Sound Engineer
Tashya Valdevit
as Erica's Nurse
Lai-Si Fernandez
as Shauna's Friend
Moises Acevedo
as Reed's Runner
Jack Caruso
as Subway Detective
Jim Taylor McNickle
as Subway Detective
Rosanne C. Lucarelli
as Subway Reporter
Leif Riddell
as Subway Reporter
DeShaun Stallworth
as Subway Reporter
Michael J. Burg
as Elevator Man
Creighton James
as Elevator Man
Clayton Dean Smith
as Elevator Man
Barbara Gayle
as Elevator Woman
Anna Margaret Hollyman
as Elevator Woman
Lily Mercer
as Elevator Woman
Musto Pelinkovicci
as Russian Cab Driver
Dean Meminger
as NY1 Reporter
Cheryl Wills
as NY1 TV Anchor
Benjamin Wallfisch
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Critic Reviews for The Brave One

All Critics (184) | Top Critics (43) | Fresh (80) | Rotten (104)

  • The Brave One is not merely the most morally repellent film of the year, but a contender for the stupidest.

    Sep 22, 2008 | Full Review…

    Christopher Orr

    The New Republic
    Top Critic

  • What you can't deny is Foster's expertise at mixing vulnerability with an inner rage that half excuses what she is doing.

    Sep 29, 2007 | Rating: 3/5

    Derek Malcolm

    London Evening Standard
    Top Critic

  • Neil Jordan ought to be doing more challenging material than this overblown, overwrought thriller that has only obvious points to make about the moral swamp that is urban vigilantism.

    Sep 28, 2007 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

    Andrew Pulver

    Guardian
    Top Critic

  • Beautifully played, the tantalising accretion of mutual understanding between Foster and Howard is one of the film's strengths, yet the plot machinations required to lever it into position would overstretch credibility in the clunkiest action flick.

    Sep 28, 2007 | Rating: 3/6 | Full Review…

    Trevor Johnston

    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • The fire goes out long before the film ends.

    Sep 20, 2007 | Rating: 2.5/4

    Peter Travers

    Rolling Stone
    Top Critic

  • I think The Brave One could have been a better film with a different ending, but it's still a well-crafted, thought-provoking story with outstanding performances.

    Sep 18, 2007

    Richard Roeper

    Ebert & Roeper
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (184)

Audience Reviews for The Brave One

  • Jan 24, 2014
    It appears to be something that should've been really good but it wasn't.
    Maymay A Super Reviewer
  • Jun 18, 2012
    A victim of a brutal mugging becomes a vigilante. Stylishly directed by Neil Jordan, as she did in <i>Flightplan</i> and <i>Panic Room</i> Jodie Foster summons her inner bad ass, and the result is another convincing performance from a very talented actress. The film, however, is not well written. Mercer, the detective assigned to the case of Foster's vigilante killer, is not constructed well, transitioning at a critical moment in the third act illogically; his plan doesn't even make sense within the plot. What is more, the film essentially supports vigilantism without a critical eye. It would be a more complex exploration of this idea if Erica killed someone whom she realizes is innocent of any mortal sin. Also, the style of the film - Neil Jordan moving the camera like it's a boat at sea - is occasionally effective but eventually annoying. Overall, despite all the great work Foster does, I think there's little that could have saved this film as it is written.
    Jim H Super Reviewer
  • Nov 22, 2011
    The Brave One is an average action film with a decent cast of actors. I thought that the film was pretty entertaining despite the fact that the ideas in the plot have been done countless times before in other films. The film is for me, anyways, mindless entertainment. The film is good enough for a mindless viewing experience, but it's not the type of film that you'd want to rewatch again and again. I thought for the most part, Jodie Foster gave a good performance here. The film is pretty good overall, and though it isn't a great film, the film manages to entertaining enough for you to enjoy a good two hours. This is not Jodie Foster's best film, but for what it is, it still is pretty entertaining. The story is engaging, thrilling and better than what most people would think. I enjoyed this film, and thought it was really good albeit the dreadful reviews it has received. Of course it's no masterpiece, but it still is very entertaining and thrilling with enough action to deliver a mindless, fun two hours. The Brave One is simply good, flawed entertainment. There are worse films out there. Overall I liked this film, and it had some good action bits and was a fun, mindless entertaining film. However it leaves a lot to be desired, despite this, this is a film still worth watching. A good film that will appeal to anyone looking for a decent action film. Worth watching at least once.
    Alex r Super Reviewer
  • Jan 30, 2011
    Completely underrated. Great acting from Jodie Foster and features some great action and a good story.
    Matt G Super Reviewer
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