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Defendor
2009 101 min Canada, United Kingdom, United States of America R 18+
★6.7
Drama, Action, Comedy, Crime
Director: Peter Stebbings
Trailers
Description
A crooked cop, a mob boss and the young girl they abuse are the denizens of a city's criminal underworld. It's a world that ordinary Arthur Poppington doesn't understand and doesn't belong in, but is committed to fighting when he changes into a vigilante super-hero of his own making, Defendor. With no power other than courage Defendor takes to the streets to protect the city's innocents.
Budget:
$3.5M
US Gross:
$44,462
Worldwide:
$44,462
Starring
Woody Harrelson
Actor
Kat Dennings
Actor
Sandra Oh
Actor
Awards
1 win & 7 nominations
Key opinion
Defendor is widely regarded as a poignant and earnest social drama disguised by misleading marketing as a superhero comedy. While critics point to inconsistent direction and a somewhat uneven tone, the consensus highlights Woody Harrelson's transformative performance as the primary emotional anchor that elevates the film.
| Acting | Woody Harrelson delivers a career-best, sincere performance that brings necessary depth and empathy to the naive protagonist. | |
| Production | The film effectively uses a gritty, realistic aesthetic to ground its unconventional story, creating a sharp contrast between its amateurish hero and the dark, corrupt world he inhabits. | |
| Score | The musical score is highly regarded as a strong, emotive component that enhances the film's atmosphere. | |
| Direction | The film's tone is divisive, as it struggles to balance elements of dark social drama with comedic undertones, leaving some viewers confused by the shift in gravity. |