Equilibrium

Play trailer

Equilibrium

R

2002

1h 47m

Sci-Fi

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

40%

Tomatometer

88 Reviews

81%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

In a futuristic world, a regime has eliminated war by suppressing emotions: books, art and music are strictly forbidden and feeling is a crime punishable by death. Cleric John Preston is a top-ranking government agent responsible for destroying those who resist these rules. When he misses a dose of Prozium, a mind-altering drug that hinders emotion, Preston, who has been trained to enforce strict laws of the new regime, suddenly becomes the one capable of overthrowing it.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Equilibrium is a reheated mishmash of other sci-fi movies.

Read Critics Reviews

Nathan Rabin

AV Club

04/17/2019

Though ultimately silly, Equilibrium's shopworn but stylish synthesis of ammo and ideas is surprisingly engrossing.

Go to Full Review

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

12/24/2010

3/5

Violent post-nuclear sci-fi is Orwellian.

Go to Full Review

Wally Hammond

Time Out

01/26/2006

Bale is too self-conscious an action hero, and although the script may have the virtue of transparent plagiarism, it teeters both dramatically and conceptually.

Go to Full Review

Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

Feb 18

3/5

‘…Equilibrium isn’t a great film, but it’s a better than expected copy-cat production, not quite as goofy as The Matrix, with several fluid action highpoints which capture exactly the right exhilarating vibe….’

Go to Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

09/29/2020

7/10

The costuming, set designs, and music (by Klaus Badelt, which is actually spectacular) are far more impressive than anyone might expect.

Go to Full Review

Leah Rozen

People Magazine

04/17/2019

A balanced thriller.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Judah S

@Judah3963 Jul 3

It was action packed and satisfying yet it was easy to get lost in the middle of everything.

See more

Kalle T

@KalleT May 9

Bought this for $1 on DVD at a garage sale (with the original title Cubic), thinking it was a Matrix clone. But I like Christian Bale, so I gave it a shot. To my surprise, it turned out to be an engaging and thought-provoking action thriller with little to no resemblance to The Matrix. There’s an interesting cat-and-mouse chase between the protagonist and the powers-that-be, questioning the nature of emotions while introducing a unique fighting style called "gun kata." I’d say the fairly silly plot is elevated by excellent performances across the board. If you appreciate dystopian sci-fi, you should check it out.

See more

Fã D

@RT37168239 Mar 16

It's a good movie that does not copy others. What happens is that the style was much used at the time of this movie release. It's not perfect but it's well made, very entretaining and joyful. Even in this 2026. Holds up with time and definitely one can see it is a movie with it's own Identity and NOT an assembly of many others.

See more

Ryan R

@AnotherRyanR Jan 29

I remember watching this as a 16 year old… 👴 A stylish, idea-driven dystopian action film that’s best enjoyed if you don’t overthink it. The emotion-suppression concept is fitting for a modern society - who just can’t seem to do so😅😂, the visuals are memorable, and the action choreography is fun even if it’s occasionally over the top. Not subtle, but an easy, entertaining watch if you just sit back and go with it.

See more

jason c

@empty_vessel Jan 24

its an okay movie. lots of action but it felt kind of boring as it went on. i like the message of the movie though.

See more

R C

@Verbal_Kint Jan 3

This is why the audience and critic movie review results diverge. You must answer why. With your voice. This picture got Christian Bale the Batman role which was reimagined by Director Christopher Nolan for Warner Brothers Pictures. See if you can discover what shaped the history of American Movies in Equilibrium.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Kurt Wimmer

Director

Christian Bale

John Preston

Emily Watson

Mary

Taye Diggs

Brandt

Angus Macfadyen

DuPont

Sean Bean

Partridge

Equilibrium: Official Clip - Sense Offender

1:59

Equilibrium: Official Clip - The Incineration

1:52

Equilibrium: Official Clip - Joining the Resistance

2:05

Equilibrium: Official Clip - Cleric Practice

2:13

Equilibrium: Official Clip - Ludwig van Beethoven

2:09

Equilibrium: Official Clip - Puppy Shootout

2:11

Equilibrium: Official Clip - Why Are You Alive?

2:13

Equilibrium: Official Clip - Killed for Reading

2:13

Equilibrium: Official Clip - Face Off

1:55

Equilibrium: Official Clip - Final Fight

1:43

View more videos

The Handmaid's Tale

35%

44%

The Handmaid's Tale

Watchlist

Never Let Me Go

71%

70%

Never Let Me Go

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Never Let Me Go

The Road

74%

68%

The Road

Watchlist

Melancholia

80%

67%

Melancholia

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

In a futuristic world, a regime has eliminated war by suppressing emotions: books, art and music are strictly forbidden and feeling is a crime punishable by death. Cleric John Preston is a top-ranking government agent responsible for destroying those who resist these rules. When he misses a dose of Prozium, a mind-altering drug that hinders emotion, Preston, who has been trained to enforce strict laws of the new regime, suddenly becomes the one capable of overthrowing it.

Director: Kurt Wimmer
Producer: Jan de Bont, Lucas Foster
Screenwriter: Kurt Wimmer
Distributor: Gativideo, Buena Vista International [us], RCV Film Distribution, Amuse Pictures Inc., West Video, Miramax Films
Production Co: Blue Tulip, Dimension Films
Rating: R (Violence)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 6, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 9, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.2M
Runtime: 1h 47m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)