The Punisher
Seen it?1989 | 89 min | Action, Crime, Drama
Weeknight WatchWhy it’s a Weeknight Watch
With middling reviews (25% on Rotten Tomatoes) and a lukewarm 5.8 out of 10 from audiences, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime-drama fans and action fans. If you loved The Punisher: One Last Kill or The Last of the Mohicans, start here.
- The mood
- Dark and gritty.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 29 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
The avenging angel of Marvel Comics fame comes brilliantly to life in this searing action-adventure thriller! Dolph Lundgren stars as Frank Castle, a veteran cop who loses his entire family to a mafia car bomb. His ex-partner believes Castle survived the blast and became the Punisher, living in the sewers and exacting vigilante violence against mob bosses throughout the city. When the populace is caught in the midst of a gang war that he caused, Castle must again emerge from the shadows and save the innocent.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsBelow par
25% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesBelow par
5.8 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
Awards data unavailable, so this isn't counted
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$30 million worldwide on a $9 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 148K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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The Last of the Mohicans Saturday SpecialAnother revenge drama, and a Saturday Special.
Cast & crew
Directed by Mark Goldblatt
- Dolph LundgrenFrank Castle
- Louis Gossett Jr.Jake Berkowitz
- Jeroen KrabbéGianni Franco
- Kim MiyoriLady Tanaka
- Bryan MarshallDino Moretti
- Nancy EverhardSam Leary
- Barry OttoShake
- Brian RooneyTommy Franco
- Zoshka MizakTanaka's Daughter
- Kenji YamakiSato