Cast:
Jamie FoxxNick Rice
Gerard ButlerClyde Alexander Shelton
Colm MeaneyDetective Dunnigan
Bruce McGillJonas Cantrell
Leslie BibbSarah Lowell
Michael IrbyDetective GarzaDirector:
F. Gary Gray
Law Abiding Citizen (2009): Spoiler-Free Review
Law Abiding Citizen is F. Gary Gray’s 2009 crime thriller about a man who takes revenge on the justice system. It asks how far a victim may go.
The Premise
After thieves kill his wife and daughter, Clyde Shelton (Gerard Butler) watches a plea deal let one of them go free. Ten years later, the killers start to die in strange ways. Prosecutor Nick Rice (Jamie Foxx) believes Clyde is behind it, even though Clyde sits in prison.
Why It Works
- Gerard Butler plays a calm, patient man whose plan unfolds step by step.
- Jamie Foxx gives the prosecutor a stubborn, believable side.
- The film makes you think about justice and revenge.
At a Glance
- Director: F. Gary Gray
- Writer: Kurt Wimmer
- Cast: Gerard Butler, Jamie Foxx
- Setting: Philadelphia
Verdict
A tense, violent thriller with an interesting question at its center. It is not for the squeamish.
- Who should watch: Fans of revenge thrillers.
- Spoilers: none. We never reveal the twist in this review.
Frequently Asked Questions About:
"Law Abiding Citizen"
Is Law Abiding Citizen violent?
Yes. It contains strong violence.
Is Law Abiding Citizen based on a true story?
No. The story is fiction.
Last updated: November, 2026
– Film details and cast information checked.







