Homefront, released in theaters on Nov. 27, 2013, is a relentless and efficient thriller engineered specifically to leverage the quiet menace of its star, Jason Statham.
The film stars Statham as Phil Broker, a former DEA agent who retires to a seemingly tranquil Louisiana town with his young daughter, Maddy (Izabela Vidovic), hoping to leave a violent past and the lingering threat of a biker gang behind him.
The fragile peace shatters when Maddy gets into a schoolyard altercation with a bully. This draws Broker into the orbit of the bully’s enraged, meth-addicted mother, Cassie Bodine (Kate Bosworth).
The petty feud rapidly escalates when Cassie’s brother, the local drug kingpin Gator Bodine (James Franco), discovers Broker’s true identity.
Gator, seeking to expand his operation with the help of his associate Sheryl Mott (Winona Ryder), sees an opportunity to settle a score and secure his place in the criminal underworld.
Key players include Clancy Brown as the sympathetic Sheriff Keith Rodrigue, and Frank Grillo, providing tension as Broker’s former DEA colleague.
Adding to the local color and grit are veterans like Pruitt Taylor Vince, Chuck Zito, and Omar Benson Miller.
The film’s strength lies in its ability to quickly transform a neighborly dispute into a high-stakes battle for survival.
Statham is in his element, portraying the deadly family man forced to protect his own using his signature blend of close-quarters combat and sheer physicality.
Sylvester Stallone wrote the script, which is based on the novel of the same name by Chuck Logan, and had intended to star as Broker, but remained involved in the project as producer.
Gary Fleder (Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead, Kiss the Girls, Runaway Jury) directed the film.
Jason Statham in Homefront (Photo/Open Road Films)
Reception for Homefront
Homefront grossed $9.7 million on its opening weekend, finishing fifth at the box office.
The film would gross $48.5 million worldwide.
Legacy
The film’s legacy is defined by its robust and memorable supporting ensemble, which elevates the material far beyond standard action fare.
Homefront is ultimately a tight, highly rewatchable entry in the “one-man-against-an-entire-town” subgenre, providing satisfying action without overcomplicating its core story.
