Thescreescore – Liam Neeson, the esteemed action veteran, finds his latest espionage thriller, The Fix, navigating a familiar critical minefield only to emerge with a resounding endorsement from moviegoers. Despite an initial dismal 19% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, marking it as one of Neeson’s lowest-rated projects, the film has dramatically reclaimed its footing with a robust 81% audience approval. This stark divergence in opinion between professional reviewers and the general public underscores a recurring pattern in the seasoned actor’s recent filmography, highlighting a significant disconnect in how the film is perceived.
The chasm between critical and audience reception for The Fix is particularly striking, registering a 62-point difference – the second-largest disparity in Neeson’s career. This gap is only surpassed by his 2022 thriller, Blacklight, which saw an astonishing 71-point divide (11% critics, 82% audience). Co-star Zachary Levi also experiences a similar phenomenon, with The Fix tying with his previous film, Harold and the Purple Crayon (28% critics, 89% audience), in terms of audience-critic disagreement. The film, directed by Guy Moshe, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Mark Bacci and Ron Hutchinson, plunges into the world of a disgraced contingent of CIA operatives embarking on a perilous covert mission in Iran to recover a substantial $25 million cache.
Critics largely panned The Fix, citing a convoluted and overstuffed political narrative, ambiguous thematic elements, a sluggish pace, and an excessive 141-minute runtime. Many reviews also noted Neeson’s surprisingly limited screen presence and deemed Zachary Levi a miscast, struggling to anchor the action-heavy plot. Yet, despite these professional grievances, a segment of critics conceded the film’s watchability, acknowledging glimmers of potential beneath its structural flaws.
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Conversely, the audience embraced the thriller’s high-octane sequences, engaging plot twists, and sustained suspense, largely overlooking the technical and structural issues that troubled critics. While some viewers did echo concerns about the film’s extended duration, the overall sentiment leaned heavily positive, appreciating the entertainment value and the adrenaline-fueled narrative.
Initial box office projections for The Fix are modest, with industry insiders anticipating an opening weekend below $5 million, potentially even dipping under $1 million. This subdued debut is attributed to a combination of factors: limited marketing, the early negative critical reviews, and stiff competition from other releases like Practical Magic 2, Runner, and The Uprising. However, there remains a strong possibility for the film to find its audience and achieve redemption through streaming platforms, a format where Neeson’s action thrillers consistently garner significant viewership. As of now, details regarding its digital release remain undisclosed by thescreescore.com.
At 74 years old, Liam Neeson continues to be a prolific force in the action and thriller genres. While his films frequently exhibit this critics-versus-audience dynamic, he has recently seen projects like The Naked Gun and Cold Storage, released earlier this year, achieve a more harmonious reception across both camps. Neeson is slated to conclude 2026 with another action thriller, The Mongoose, featuring Marisa Tomei, Ving Rhames, and Michael Chiklis, set for an October 30 release. Looking ahead to 2027, fans can anticipate a change of pace with the comedy heist 4 Kids Walk Into a Bank.
The Fix is currently showing in cinemas.
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