A top Marine sniper, Bob Lee Swagger, leaves the military after a mission goes horribly awry and disappears, living in seclusion. He is coaxed back into service after a high-profile government official convinces him to help thwart a plot to kill the President of the United States. Ultimately double-crossed and framed for the attempt, Swagger becomes the target of a nationwide manhunt. He goes on the run to track the real killer and find out who exactly set him up, and why, eventually seeking revenge against some of the most powerful and corrupt leaders in the free world.
Practical Effects
Actual sniper choreography that military nerds still debate.
Direction
Fuqua's mountain sniper opening is genuinely stunning.
Acting
Michael Peña doing the most with every single scene.
Director
Antoine Fuqua
Mark Wahlberg
Bob Lee Swagger
Michael Peña
Nick Memphis
Danny Glover
Colonel Isaac Johnson
Kate Mara
Sarah Fenn
Elias Koteas
Jack Payne
Rhona Mitra
Alourdes Galindo
Jonathan Walker
Louis Dobbler
Louis Ferreira
Howard Purnell
Rade Šerbedžija
Michael Sandor
Tate Donovan
Russ Turner
A.C. Peterson
Officer Stanley Timmons
Ned Beatty
Senator Charles F. Meachum
Lane Garrison
Donnie Fenn
Zak Santiago
Senior Agent
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The opening Ethiopia sequence was filmed in British Columbia during a record cold snap—Wahlberg's breath is real, not CGI.
This film became weirdly prophetic post-2016; the 'false flag' conspiracy mechanics aged into uncomfortable relevance.
US
