Defendor

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Defendor

R

2009

1h 35m

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

71%

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24 Reviews

58%

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10,000+ Ratings

An everyday guy (Woody Harrelson) believes he is a superhero and befriends a teenager while seeing a psychiatrist.

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Critics Consensus

Defendor's reach occasionally exceeds its grasp, but this unique take on the superhero genre is held together by Woody Harrelson's solid performance.

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Michael Rechtshaffen

The Hollywood Reporter

Mar 10, 2010

Saving the day is Harrelson's low-key, rooted performance, adding an unexpected layer of poignancy when things take a decidedly darker turn.

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Amy Nicholson

I.E. Weekly

Feb 26, 2010

C+

The conviction in Harrelson's performance sells the movie -- he and his character are both unsung heroes who give their roles everything they've got.

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Glenn Whipp

Los Angeles Times

Feb 26, 2010

2.5/5

Stebbings is more interested in deconstructing heroism than creating a concrete world, sapping the movie of the immediacy it needs to come alive. For all its aspirations, the film never meshes into something cohesive or substantial.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Aug 22, 2023

2/4

A pitch-black comedy that falls flat regardless of its potential

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Robert Bell

Exclaim!

Jan 30, 2023

[It] challenged the psychology behind what makes someone retreat into the delusion of unique greatness to begin with...

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Debbie Lynn Elias

Behind The Lens

Nov 7, 2019

Smartly written, extremely well acted, you'll be in your own happy place on seeing DEFENDOR.

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Antonio B.

@AntonioBatt May 1, 2026

I enjoyed how woody portrayed the character and it gave me a laugh while also keeping me entertained. Reminded me of “kickass” just in a more real world scenario.

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Guillermo A

@Guillermo.Almeida Feb 11, 2026

Of the best movies about a realistic superhero, Woody is too good at this one, the story is basic but substantial and strong. Don't just wait for it. "See you on the moon"

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Sarah F.

@beefstew Oct 25, 2025

16 years later I decided to revisit this movie since I found it on Tubi. I still love this movie because it's not your usual flashy, worn out superhero movie. It took risks and won. I have seen a lot of people comparing this movie to Kick-A..., but Defendor came out a year before and it's dark, dramatic home-made look really sells the movie for me. Woody is obviously the star here and he's just a phenomenal Arthur Poppington. Kat Dennings (love her still) does a great job playing a call girl. She's believable and I think it was Peter Stebbings that said Dennings can flip the character and make it hers and that is wonderfully shown here. So, my point is, after all this time, Defendor stands its ground and maybe we need a vigilante hero nowadays.

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john b

@RT57721896 Mar 31, 2025

Woody Harrelson plays a mentally challenged man who thinks he is a super hero at night. What sells this is Woody and Kat Dennings is great too. A kooky, quirky story. Woody's charactor is so innocent and funny. If you like off beat, you'll love this.

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Emilliano Jr S

@emill_santos Jul 25, 2023

Like a low budget superhero movie with a heart

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Kyle M

@RT77296778 Apr 13, 2023

The compelling trope of dramatically grounded action mimicking the superhero genre may seem dated, and comparably insignificant within its own genes, immediately preceding the genre's full rejuvenation burst but at its rational center is the psychology angle that unfolds nicely with decent performances in an uninteresting storyline. (B-)

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Peter Stebbings

Director

Woody Harrelson

Arthur Poppington

Kat Dennings

Kat

Sandra Oh

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Elias Koteas

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Synopsis

An everyday guy (Woody Harrelson) believes he is a superhero and befriends a teenager while seeing a psychiatrist.

Director: Peter Stebbings
Producer: Nicholas Tabarrok
Screenwriter: Peter Stebbings
Production Co: Darius Films, Insight Film Studios, Alliance
Rating: R (Language Throughout|Drug Use|Sexual Content|Violence)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): May 28, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $37.6K
Runtime: 1h 35m

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