Man on Fire (2004)

7.7R141 minDirector: Tony Scott

2004 film by Tony Scott

Man on Fire is a 2004 vigilante action-thriller film directed and produced by Tony Scott, from a screenplay by Brian Helgeland, and co-produced by Arnon Milchan. It is based on the 1980 novel by A. J. Quinnell. The film stars Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning in lead roles, alongside Christopher Walken, Radha Mitchell, Giancarlo Giannini, Marc Anthony, Rachel Ticotin and Mickey Rourke in supporting roles.

The film follows a despondent, alcoholic former CIA officer-turned-bodyguard (Washington), who embarks on a violent revenge spree after a nine-year-old under his charge (Fanning) is kidnapped in Mexico City. This adaptation shifts the setting from Naples, Italy, to Mexico City, diverging from the earlier 1987 film version of Quinnell's novel, which was also produced by Milchan.

Man on Fire was released in the United States by 20th Century Fox on April 23, 2004. The film received mixed reviews from critics and grossed $130 million worldwide against a production budget of $60–70 million. Fanning's performances earned her nominations for the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Young Performer and the Young Artist Award for Best Leading Young Actress in a Feature Film. Additionally, the film received 2 nominations at the 36th NAACP Image Awards – Outstanding Motion Picture and Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture (Washington).

Plot summary adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

FAQ

What is Man on Fire about?
Man on Fire (2004) — Hard-drinking, burnt-out ex-CIA operative John Creasy has given up on life until he's hired as a bodyguard to protect 9-year-old Pita Ramos. Bit by bit, Creasy begins to reclaim some of his soul, but when Pita is kidnapped, Creasy's fiery rage is finally released and he will stop
Is Man on Fire based on a true story?
See the production background and source material details on the official Wikipedia article.
Is Man on Fire scary?
Content rating: R. See the reviews tab for parental guidance and tone notes.