Man on Fire (2004)

Man on Fire is a gritty, emotional action-drama about a burned-out, hard-drinking ex-CIA operative who is reluctantly hired to guard nine-year-old Pita Ramos in Mexico City. As the taciturn Creasy slowly opens up under the child’s persistent warmth, he begins to reclaim a sense of purpose and connection he had long abandoned. When Pita is brutally kidnapped, Creasy’s tentative rebirth collapses and he unleashes a remorseless, single-minded campaign of vengeance. The film follows his descent into a violent, methodical hunt through a corrupt urban underworld, exposing layers of conspiracy and moral decay as he stops at nothing to find and punish those responsible. Watching Man on Fire is an intense experience: tense suspense, brutal action, and a raw emotional core anchored by the fragile bond between guardian and child. Expect bleak, atmospheric streetscapes, sharp thrills, and moments of heartbreaking tenderness that make the revenge cathartic but also morally complex. It’s powerful and sometimes brutal — ideal for viewers who want a character-driven revenge thriller with emotional stakes rather than a light popcorn action movie.

Actors: Denzel Washington, Christopher Walken, Dakota Fanning

Director: Tony Scott

Runtime: 146 min

Genres: Action, Crime, Drama

7.1 /10 47 /100 7.7 /10 6.5 /10