Redbelt

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Redbelt

R,

2008,

1h 39m,

Drama

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Watchlist

Watchlist

70%

141 Reviews

Tomatometer

65%

10,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

70%

Tomatometer

141 Reviews

65%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Martial artist Mike Terry (Chiwetel Ejiofor) lives by a strict code of no competitions, for he feels that such contests weaken fighters. After saving a famous action star (Tim Allen) from a brutal attack, Mike takes a job in the film industry. He soon finds his personal beliefs and integrity on the line as circumstances force him to participate in a prize fight.

Critics Consensus

Mamet's mixed marital arts morality play weaves between action and intellect but doesn't always hit its target.

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Anthony Quinn

Independent (UK)

Sep 26, 2008

2/5

Redbelt, his latest, is a curious one, a movie that hints at greatness only to retreat, unpardonably, into genre convention.

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Nigel Andrews

Financial Times

Sep 26, 2008

The Mamet rhythms are pleasingly in place: the repetition-rich dialogue, the head-butting close-ups as men go ego to ego.

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David Gritten

Daily Telegraph (UK)

Sep 26, 2008

Emily Mortimer is impressive as a jittery, unlikable attorney whose impulsive actions trigger Mike's descent. But it's Ejiofor's film all the way.

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

Jul 28, 2025

4/5

It's a solid involving story with a perfect ensemble cast and the usual pedigree associated with David Mamet's involvement in a film. I see more samurai than noir to this film's edge and style, but the elements are there for both.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Dec 28, 2024

3.5/4

Mamet explores unfamiliar genre territory for him [...] by elevating the material, leading to a profound (albeit brief) solution, several great performances, and, of course, matchless writing.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Nov 28, 2020

4/10

The first third of the film is a confusing mess of character introductions and details that are seemingly trivial and unrelated.

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Poe S

May 10, 2018

This is really a hidden gem. The toughest enemy is oneself.

Leia S

Mar 30, 2018

Red belt is a rare, critically acclaimed martial arts action movie that is very realistic and employ real, active fighters and actors including Tim Allen and Ed O'Neill ! I wish I knew how I stumbled upon this gym I also can't remember but I've actually bought the DVD and showed it to my friends and they love it is actually a few very emotional scenes as well

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David Mamet

Director

Chiwetel Ejiofor

Mike Terry

Tim Allen

Frank

Emily Mortimer

Laura Black

Ricky Jay

Marty Brown

Randy Couture

Dylan Flynn

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Synopsis

Martial artist Mike Terry (Chiwetel Ejiofor) lives by a strict code of no competitions, for he feels that such contests weaken fighters. After saving a famous action star (Tim Allen) from a brutal attack, Mike takes a job in the film industry. He soon finds his personal beliefs and integrity on the line as circumstances force him to participate in a prize fight.

Director: David Mamet
Producer: Chrisann Verges
Screenwriter: David Mamet
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: Sony Pictures Classics
Rating: R (Strong Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 9, 2008, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 1, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.3M
Runtime: 1h 39m

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