Equilibrium

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Equilibrium

R,

2002,

1h 47m,

Sci-Fi/

Drama

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Watchlist

40%

86 Reviews

Tomatometer

81%

250,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

40%

Tomatometer

86 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.

Critics Consensus

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

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Nathan Rabin

AV Club

Apr 17, 2019

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

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Dec 24, 2010

3/5

Violent post-nuclear sci-fi is Orwellian.

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Wally Hammond

Time Out

Jan 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.

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

Feb 18, 2026

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….’

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Sep 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.

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Leah Rozen

People Magazine

Apr 17, 2019

A balanced thriller.

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Rey S

Apr 26, 2019

The No. 1 competitor to The Matrix !!

Harry R

Mar 20, 2019

This movie is a MASTERPIECE of cinema. The acting, the cinematography, everything is just... perfect

Mar 9, 2019

Iï¿ 1/2(TM)m suprised by the low ratings, easily one of the best directed movies of all time!

Han W

Mar 9, 2019

What the hell were the critics smoking? This movie's very good. Criminally underrated, at that. Some of the Matrix cues are a little too on-the-nose but there's no denying how effectively it sends its message of emotion suppression. The performances are not half-bad. Ironic given the subject matter of the movie. The action sequences are stylish and full of energy. Gun kata is the most gorgeous action-based "ballet" I've ever seen. Out of all the Wachowski knockoffs that came out at the time, this is one that has more on its mind than capitalizing on the success of The Matrix.

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Ron S

Mar 8, 2019

Loved this movie. One of my top 10!

Mar 2, 2019

We are all John Preston!

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Kurt Wimmer

Director

Christian Bale

John Preston

Emily Watson

Mary

Taye Diggs

Brandt

Angus Macfadyen

DuPont

Sean Bean

Partridge

Equilibrium: Official Clip - Sense Offender

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Equilibrium: Official Clip - The Incineration

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Equilibrium: Official Clip - Joining the Resistance

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Equilibrium: Official Clip - Cleric Practice

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Equilibrium: Official Clip - Ludwig van Beethoven

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Equilibrium: Official Clip - Puppy Shootout

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Equilibrium: Official Clip - Why Are You Alive?

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Equilibrium: Official Clip - Killed for Reading

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Equilibrium: Official Clip - Face Off

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Equilibrium: Official Clip - Final Fight

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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)

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