Hard Target

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Hard Target

R,

1993,

1h 34m,

Action

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Watchlist

Watchlist

62%

39 Reviews

Tomatometer

49%

25,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

62%

Tomatometer

39 Reviews

49%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Chance Boudreaux (Jean-Claude Van Damme), a sailor skilled in martial arts, is employed to guard Natasha Binder (Yancy Butler) as she tracks down her father, an itinerant Vietnam veteran living in New Orleans named Douglas (Chuck Pfarrer). They soon uncover a sinister group of wealthy men who hunt the homeless for sport, paying them $10,000 if they can survive a crosstown journey. When Chance discovers that Natasha's father was one of their victims, he decides to destroy the evil hunters.

Critics Consensus

Hard Target gets a boost from John Woo's stylish direction, but at heart, it's still another silly, explosion-dependent action thriller in the Jean-Claude Van Damme oeuvre.

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Duane Byrge

The Hollywood Reporter

Sep 3, 2020

The combo is an incendiary mix: Woo unleashes all barrels in vintage Hong Kong action style while Van Damme delivers not only his martial-arts prowess but some well-developed acting skills as well.

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Kim Newman

Empire Magazine

Nov 13, 2017

3/5

Though it lacks the epic feel and melodramatic sincerity of Woo's Oriental movies, this is nevertheless first-rate action.

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Emanuel Levy

Variety

Oct 10, 2006

C+

A disappointing American debut of the Hong Kong cult director John Woo is a decent action vehicle by standards of its star Jean-Claude Van Damme but, hampered by a B script and flat characters, it doesn't bear Woo's auteurist signature and unique vision

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John Ferguson

Radio Times

Aug 18, 2026

3/5

The plotting is minimal, but Lance Henriksen and Arnold Vosloo make for terrific baddies and Woo orchestrates some stunning action set pieces, including a spectacular finale, with panache.

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Chance Solem-Pfeifer

Willamette Week

Mar 27, 2026

With Woo’s eye for fluid, worshipful action, Hard Target is also the best-looking, most stylish movie in Van Damme’s oeuvre.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Sep 25, 2025

6/10

Dedicated primarily to bloodshed and excitement, this is the kind of movie in which anything shot at tends to explode in conspicuously cinematic fireballs, while limited ammo rarely affects those unleashing countless rounds from easily-obtained guns.

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Han S

Feb 17, 2019

This movie is an over the top action film by the Great John Woo! Van Damme's Chance Boudreaux is hysterical with a bad Cajun accent and greasy mullet hairdo! But something about this film works for me. It's definitely a guilty pleasure of mine. Arnold Vosloo is GREAT as Pik. Lance Henriksen is also pretty good as good as the main bad guy. The premise is pretty unbelievable with a bunch of guys actively hunting homeless people through the streets of New Orleans. But any fan of John Woo should enjoy this action film with all of his signature items (slow mo and pigeons).

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Finn R

Oct 23, 2018

Van Damme's Hair movie. Good action, awesome fight scenes.

Finn G

Aug 21, 2018

5 STARS!!!! UNDERRATED MASTERPIECE

Finn L

Jun 9, 2018

Entertaining movie. Lots of action. Nice haircut for Van Damme.

Hermione S

Feb 13, 2018

A bada$$ movie, especially at the time. Still very good today, though, IMO.

Albus G

Jan 2, 2018

Action star JCVD teams up with action director John Woo in what should be a match made in heaven... As B-movie action films go this is pretty good. Style over substance and it pays off. Mostly an enjoyable movie and well directed. John Woo tries to give JCVD's a mid career jolt and it mostly works...other than his hair...a perm?! bad choice JCVD!

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John Woo

Director

Jean-Claude Van Damme

Chance Boudreaux

Lance Henriksen

Emil Fouchon

Arnold Vosloo

Pik van Cleef

Yancy Butler

Natasha `'Nat'` Binder

Kasi Lemmons

Det. Marie Mitchell

Hard Target: Official Clip - Gas Can to the Face

2:12

Now Playing

Hard Target: Official Clip - Hunter Becomes the Hunted

3:31

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Hard Target: Official Clip - Fighting Crime in Style

2:53

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Hard Target: Official Clip - Uncle Douvee

2:26

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Hard Target: Official Clip - Missed the Party

2:21

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Hard Target: Official Clip - Motorcycle Chase

2:59

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Hard Target: Official Clip - Warehouse Shootout

2:26

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Hard Target: Official Clip - Rattlesnake Trap

2:30

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Hard Target: Official Clip - He's All Ears

2:22

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Hard Target: Official Clip - Hunting Season is Over

3:13

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Synopsis

Chance Boudreaux (Jean-Claude Van Damme), a sailor skilled in martial arts, is employed to guard Natasha Binder (Yancy Butler) as she tracks down her father, an itinerant Vietnam veteran living in New Orleans named Douglas (Chuck Pfarrer). They soon uncover a sinister group of wealthy men who hunt the homeless for sport, paying them $10,000 if they can survive a crosstown journey. When Chance discovers that Natasha's father was one of their victims, he decides to destroy the evil hunters.

Director: John Woo
Producer: James Jacks, Sean Daniel
Screenwriter: Chuck Pfarrer
Production Co: Alphaville Films, Renaissance Pictures, Universal Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 10, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $31.5M
Runtime: 1h 34m
Sound Mix: Surround

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