Equilibrium

2002

Equilibrium

Critics Consensus

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

40%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 90

81%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 268,099
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Equilibrium Photos

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Movie Info

In the nation of Libria, there is always peace among men. The rules of the Librian system are simple. If you are happy, you will be arrested. If you cry, the law will hunt you down. If you read a contraband book or so much as look at a smuggled painting, you've committed a crime. To keep the peace, citizens must take their daily doses Prozium, a powerful designer drug that stops feelings dead and keeps everyone on an even keel. Refuse to take the drug and special police will find you. Up until now, top-ranking government official John Preston has believed in this system, has upheld the system as a highly-trained "Cleric" who seeks out and destroys those who don't take their pills. But then he skips his own dose of Prozium--and discovers an incredible new world of sensation that gives him the passion to fight for freedom.

Cast

Christian Bale
as John Preston
Emily Watson
as Mary O'Brien
Taye Diggs
as Brandt
Angus Macfadyen
as Dupont
Sean Pertwee
as Father
William Fichtner
as Jurgen
Sean Bean
as Partridge
Matthew Harbour
as Robbie Preston
David Barrass
as Evidentiary Storage Officer
Emily Siewert
as Lisa Preston
Dominic Purcell
as Seamus
Maria Pia Calzone
as Preston's Wife
Alexa Summer
as Viviana Preston
Christian Kahrmann
as Office in Charge
John Keogh
as Chemist
David Barrash
as Evidentiary Storage Officer
Dick Martens
as Gate Guard
Mike Smith
as Enforcer Commander
Florian David Fitz
as Gate Guard
Dan Lee Clark
as Lead Sweeper
Francesco Calabras
as Rebel Leader
Kurt Wimmer
as Rebel Victim
Dirk Martens
as Gate Guard
Anatole Taubman
as Crematory Technician
Brian Connelly
as Reading Room Proprietor
Brian Cook
as DuPont's Secretary
Mehmet Kurtulus
as Search Coordinator
David Hemmings
as Proctor
Klaus Schindler
as Interrogator
Oliver Brandl
as Polygraph Technician
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Critic Reviews for Equilibrium

All Critics (90) | Top Critics (25) | Fresh (36) | Rotten (54)

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

    April 17, 2019 | Full Review…

    Nathan Rabin

    AV Club
    Top Critic

  • 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.

    January 26, 2006 | Full Review…

    Wally Hammond

    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • What a dumb, fun, curiously adolescent movie this is.

    February 18, 2003 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    Nev Pierce

    BBC.com
    Top Critic

  • Equilibrium is equal parts video game and GQ fashion spread.

    December 9, 2002

    Richard Roeper

    Ebert & Roeper
    Top Critic

  • Matrixian, Orwellian, and boneheadian.

    December 7, 2002 | Rating: D+ | Full Review…

    Lisa Schwarzbaum

    Entertainment Weekly
    Top Critic

  • This inventive, low-budget science-fiction movie stands on its own, from its bracing, ingenious fight sequences to its literate roots in dystopian fiction.

    December 6, 2002

    Bill Muller

    Arizona Republic
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (90)

Audience Reviews for Equilibrium

  • Oct 22, 2016
    Far sillier than it's drab design and overly serious tone suggests. Also, the plot can't follow it's own absurd internal logic.
    Alec B Super Reviewer
  • May 31, 2016
    This movie stars Christian Bale as John Preston, a high-ranking officer in a futuristic world where feeling emotion is against the law and people take a drug daily to eliminate emotion. Preston, slowly learning of what emotions are capable of after taking down so many offenders, skips a dosage and begins to experience true life. Equilibrium was not well-received at the time of release, but it has gained a cult following in recent years. There really isn't a lot here that would be identified as "original." The best way I can think to describe this movie to people who haven't seen it would be a combination of the novel "1984" and the movie "The Matrix." The themes of humanity and socialism are very present. However, despite bringing nothing new to the table, this movie is very fun to watch. Bale, as usual, shines in his role. The film score is highly enjoyable and fits each scene perfectly, Without spoiling anything major, I'll say that there was a scene in the movie when Bale, after ceasing to take medication, looks out the window at the sunrise over the city skyline. The emotion on his face, combined with the emotional music, created a beautiful moment in this film. The action, while somewhat ridiculous, is exciting to watch. Towards the end of the movie gets a little muddled with plot twists, but it doesn't ruin the film. I'm not going to lie and say that this is one of the best science-fiction movies ever, but there definitely is enjoyment to be had with Equilibrium.
    Ben B Super Reviewer
  • Apr 17, 2015
    So there's a pretty decent chance that Equilibrium doesn't have an original bone in its entire makeup, but I still just love it.
    Gimly M Super Reviewer
  • Oct 13, 2013
    [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img]
    Directors C Super Reviewer
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