Contraband

2012

Contraband

Critics Consensus

It's more entertaining than your average January action thriller, but that isn't enough to excuse Contraband's lack of originality and unnecessarily convoluted plot.

51%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 159

57%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 69,963
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Contraband Photos

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Movie Info

Chris Farraday (Mark Wahlberg) long ago abandoned his life of crime, but after his brother-in-law, Andy (Caleb Landry Jones), botches a drug deal for his ruthless boss, Tim Briggs (Giovanni Ribisi), Chris is forced back into doing what he does best- running contraband-to settle Andy's debt. Chris is a legendary smuggler and quickly assembles a crew with the help of his best friend, Sebastian (Ben Foster), for one final run to Panama and back, hoping to return with millions in counterfeit bills. Things quickly fall apart and with only hours to reach the cash, Chris must use his rusty skills to successfully navigate a treacherous criminal network of brutal drug lords, cops and hit men before his wife, Kate (Kate Beckinsale), and sons become their target. -- (C) Official Site

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Cast

Kate Beckinsale
as Kate Farraday
Mark Wahlberg
as Chris Farraday
Ben Foster
as Sebastian Abney
Giovanni Ribisi
as Tim Briggs
Lukas Haas
as Danny Raymer
Caleb Landry Jones
as Andy
Diego Luna
as Gonzalo
J.K. Simmons
as Captain Camp
Robert Wahlberg
as John Bryce
Paul LeBlanc
as CBP Officer
Amber Gaiennie
as Danny's Bride
Kent Jude Bernard
as Tommy Raymer
David O'Hara
as Jim Church
Anthony Coleman
as Marcus
Jackson Beals
as Desmond
Jacqueline Fleming
as Jeanie
Connor Hill
as Michael
Bryce McDaniel
as Eddie
John Wilmot
as House Owner
Dane Rhodes
as AA Guy
Juliette Marie Enright
as Sadie
William Lucking
as Bud Farraday
Ritchie Montgomery
as Sebastian's Cousin
Victor Hernández
as Edwin
Shannon Maris
as Interviewer
J. Omar Castro
as Benito
Michael L. Nesbitt
as Chief Mate
Jack Landry
as Second Mate
Kevin "Lucky" Johnson
as Tarik
Olafur Darri Olafsson
as Olaf
Carlos Compean
as Port Pilot
Kirk Bovill
as Crew Member
Rose Bianco
as Superintendent
Brian Nguyen
as Taxi Driver
Roland Ruiz
as Kid
Ian Casselberry
as Kinkos
Michael J. Taylor
as Band Member - Lead Vocalist
John Russ Broussard
as Band Member - Washboard
Mike Broussard, Jr.
as Band Member - Saxophone
Arthur O. Thomas
as Band Member - Drums
Andrew Autin
as Band Member - Guitar
Beau St. Pierre
as Band Member - Trumpet
Ashton McGee
as Band Member - Trombone
Telissa Long
as Band Member - Vocals
Norman E. Landeche IV
as Band Member - Piano
Allan Maxwell
as Band Member - Bass
Alan Maxwell
as Band Member - Bass
Laura Bergeron-Iglesias
as Rosa
Eddie Fiola
as Armored Truck Driver
Max Daniels
as Armored Truck Driver
Joshua Teixidor
as Boss
Randy Austin
as Deckhand
Lance E. Nichols
as CBP Officer
Anthony Frederick
as CBP Officer
Michael Beasley
as Davis
Turner Crumbley
as Laird
Anthony 'Ace' Thomas
as Construction Worker
Eric Weinstein
as Trucker
Cecil M. Brown
as Auctioneer
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News & Interviews for Contraband

RT on DVD & Blu-ray: Contraband and The Innkeepers
Box Office Guru Wrapup: Contraband Steals Box Office Crown
Critics Consensus: Contraband (Sort Of) Delivers
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Critic Reviews for Contraband

All Critics (159) | Top Critics (40)

  • How this confused and mediocre heist-cum-action movie reached - albeit briefly - the top spot in the US box-office ratings passes all understanding.

    Mar 16, 2012 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…
    London Evening Standard
    Top Critic

  • It's a thriller in which the twists become so absurd that it becomes a kind of caper, but without the humour.

    Mar 15, 2012 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

    Peter Bradshaw

    Guardian
    Top Critic

  • Needlessly convoluted subplots and crummy supporting characters suffocate the Farraday dynamic.

    Mar 15, 2012 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

    Adam Woodward

    Little White Lies
    Top Critic

  • The result is unlikely to linger long in the memory, but it's enormous fun while it lasts...

    Mar 13, 2012 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    Tom Huddleston

    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • A winter-season product, but perfectly absorbing once it gets going.

    Jan 24, 2012

    David Denby

    New Yorker
    Top Critic

  • It's a good, chugging caper movie for the most part.

    Jan 13, 2012 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    Glenn Kenny

    MSN Movies
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (159)

Audience Reviews for Contraband

  • Nov 26, 2015
    Just another typical action flick from Mark Wahlberg but it does have allot of twists and turns that help the film feel fresh but none are really great as the film starts to get predictable, With hardly any action scenes it can drag abit but it's not a terrible film as it had some clever and gripping scenes but it's nothing too new or memorable.
    Jamie C Super Reviewer
  • Jan 22, 2014
    Could've been worse is all that I am saying.
    Joseph E Super Reviewer
  • Dec 13, 2013
    I know now the work of the director Baltasar Kormákur, and because I usually enjoy Mark Wahlberg I decided to finally watch this movie which I got a year ago. This action crime thriller with Kate Beckinsale, Ben Foster, Caleb Landry Jones, Giovanni Ribisi, Lukas Haas, Diego Luna and J. K. Simmons is actually a remake of the 2008 Icelandic film Reykjavík-Rotterdam which Baltasar Kormákur starred in. I cannot say that I find the work of the director or the writer Aaron Guzikowski lacking, but there was not much to be remembered. I completely understand people who didn't like it because for me was on the edge - could easily go to the other side, mainly because even with all the action and all the twists still felt somehow distant, with no connection to the most of the viewers. Lacks character and maybe "soul"!? On the other hand, I kept watching it to the end... This is probably simple speciality from Hollywood which is supposedly entertaining but at the end you feel tired instead of refreshed from the 'entertainment'. I will still recommend it to the fans of Mark Wahlberg, but, please, do not expect too much!
    Panta O Super Reviewer
  • Aug 04, 2013
    A good action film with lots of twists, although none are especially striking. Wahlberg continues to disappoint by playing a tough guy role when he doesn't have the grittiness to pull it off. Still, it's a fun film.
    Christian C Super Reviewer
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