Liam Neeson’s action-packed survival thriller is Netflix’s #1 movie

In the unforgiving desert of Arizona, Jim Hanson, a retired Marine, lives in solitude. His life takes a drastic turn when he meets a mother and her young son, who are fleeing a violent cartel. With no choice but to protect them, Jim finds himself on a dangerous journey. The Marksman, directed by Robert Lorenz and starring Liam Neeson, is currently Netflix’s most watched movie in the U.S., drawing in viewers with its intense action sequences and Neeson’s compelling performance. This action-thriller offers a gripping survival story about loyalty and duty in a world where doing the right thing can cost everything. The trailer is at the bottom of the article.

The Marksman begins with a man haunted by his past. Jim Hanson (Liam Neeson) is a former Marine living on a remote ranch in Arizona. Isolated and distant, he’s given up on any sense of purpose. That is until he encounters Rosa (Teresa Ruiz) and her son, Miguel (Jacob Perez), who are being chased by a Mexican cartel. After Rosa’s tragic death, Jim takes it upon himself to protect Miguel, embarking on a perilous journey through hostile terrain.

The story is simple but gripping. Jim’s quiet life is upended, and his instincts as a soldier are put to the test. But more than just a survival tale, the film explores the relationship between Jim and Miguel. The boy, an innocent caught in a dangerous world, offers Jim a chance at redemption.
You may also like ► Romance, ambition, and holiday magic in Paris: Champagne Problems is coming to Netflix

Director Robert Lorenz, who worked with Clint Eastwood on Gran Torino and The Mule, brings a careful, deliberate pace to the film. The tension builds slowly, creating suspense without relying on fast action or overwhelming violence. This allows for moments of reflection and a deeper emotional connection to the characters.

Liam Neeson delivers one of his most subdued performances in recent years. He plays Jim as a man burdened by loss, but capable of growth when faced with responsibility. It’s a role that requires restraint, and Neeson handles it with grace. The quiet moments between Jim and Miguel are some of the film’s most powerful, showing the unlikely bond between them.

The visuals of The Marksman are stark and beautiful, with the Arizona desert serving as both a literal and emotional backdrop. The landscape is wide and unforgiving, mirroring Jim’s internal struggle. Lorenz uses the space well, framing the characters against the vast emptiness to emphasize their isolation and vulnerability.

Although The Marksman follows familiar action-thriller tropes, it stands out for its straightforward approach and strong central performance. Critics have offered mixed reviews: some praise Liam Neeson’s solid portrayal of a man in conflict with his past, while others find the plot predictable. Despite that, the film delivers what it promises—gripping action and a protagonist who, while facing intense odds, does what he believes is necessary to survive and protect the boy.

As the film concludes, Jim’s journey comes full circle. He may not be the man he once was, but he has made peace with his past. In a world where redemption seems out of reach, The Marksman offers hope, showing that anyone, no matter their mistakes, can find a way to make things right.

In the meantime, enjoy the trailer below.