Summary
Despite its initially lukewarm critical reception, Gerard Butler’s 2009 revenge thrillerLaw Abiding Citizenhas found a new audience on Netflix, prompting many fans to seek out other similar movies from the 54-year-old actor’s back catalog. Starring Butler as the deeply flawed, and arguably villainous vigilante Clyde Shelton,Law Abiding Citizenis one of Butler’s most brutal movies, offering a distinctive view of violence and the broader justice system. However, while it certainly stands out in his resume, it is not a unique Gerard Butler project.
Although its story is very different in some ways,the 2021 movieCopshopis actually a perfect accompaniment forLaw Abiding Citizen. Not only do the two projects both star Gerard Butler in roles that – despite surface differences – have some important similarities, but the movies also address key core themes.Law Abiding Citizen’s resurgence on Netflixmight be somewhat unexpected, but it’s a welcome reminder that it’s not a unique episode in Gerard Butler’s career.
Gerard Butler Horror Movies, Ranked
Gerard Butler is mostly known for his action roles, but he’s appeared in a few horror movies over the years. Here’s each one, ranked worst to best.
Copshop Is Another Gerard Butler Movie With A Flawed Protagonist
Clyde Shelton And Bob Viddick Are Surprisingly Similar
Initially, it might seem like there’s not a lot to link Clyde Shelton toCopshop’s Bob Viddick. While Shelton is steely and determined, bleakly cynical of the legal system, and broken by his harrowing experiences, Viddick is an altogether more upbeat and entertaining character. A hired hitman with a penchant for violence, he revels in the carnage ofCopshop’s plot (in which he goes toe-to-toe with other assassins in a bid to claim a contract on Frank Grillo’s Teddy Murretto, while being locked up in a police station). However,in the context ofGerard Butler’s career, the two roles have some important symmetry.
Much of Butler’s resume is dominated by typically heroic figures. Whether it’s Leonidas in the graphic novel adaptation300, or as chiseled Secret Service agent Mike Banning in theHas Fallenmovies,Butler has built a reputation for playing uncomplicated, all-action protagonists.BothCopshopandLaw Abiding Citizenchallenge this stereotype.Each movie sees Butler play a more morally nuanced character that has an antagonistic role in the story. While Shelton and Viddick represent different approaches to this archetype, each performance highlights Butler’s surprising flexibility. For fans of his work, both movies provide important diversity.
Copshop And Law Abiding Citizen Deal With Similar Themes (In Very Different Ways)
They Tackle The Issue Of Flawed Justice
Beyond featuring Gerard Butler in a more villainous capacity,CopshopandLaw Abiding Citizenshare a crucial thematic connection. In their own distinctive ways, the two movies both address the issue of corrupt justice, vigilante violence, and extra-judicial retribution. InLaw Abiding Citizen, Shelton’s mission is personal, fuelled by the heartbreak of his wife and daughter’s murders. By contrast,Copshopsees Butler work as a professional hitman, whose interest in the case is purely transactional. And yet, despite these differences in perspective, both movies speak to similar concerns.
Law Abiding Citizenspeaks to similar concerns, where Shelton’s crusade brings him into conflict with all aspects of justice…
InCopshop, for instance, it soon becomes clear that Alexis Louder’s Val Young is one of the only honest officers working the case, causing her to question her faith in the system she is sworn to uphold.Law Abiding Citizenspeaks to similar concerns, where Shelton’s crusade brings him into conflict with all aspects of justice – from the man who murdered his family, to the lawyers who failed to deliver. The result sees Jamie Foxx’s Nick Rice question his perspective on how justice is served. As such,the two movies highlight how noble ideals can quickly become compromised in the right circumstances.
“Copshop appears to be one thing on the surface, but ends up containing some surprising depths. They don’t entirely erase the movie’s flaws, whether it be pacing or an unnecessarily complicated story. When it focuses on the main plot of a man being hunted by dangerous killers and the woman trying to work out who to trust, it’s an entertaining thrill ride that perhaps could’ve been even wilder, but suits just fine."-Rachel Labonte-Screen Rant’s Copshop Review
Copshop Is Much Better Than Law Abiding Citizen
It’s More Effective By Almost Every Metric
These similarities mean thatLaw Abiding CitizenandCopshopform an intriguing double-bill. However, while their connection makes for some interesting analysis, there are clear differences in terms of quality.As a piece of pure entertainment,Copshopeasily outstripsLaw Abiding Citizen. While both films feature somewhat ludicrous premises,Copshopsomehow feels more grounded and believable, with well-realized characters and engaging dialog and performances. This is reflected in the film’s impressive 82% score on review aggregatorRotten Tomatoes.
26%
$127.9 million
82%
$6.8 million
By contrast,Law Abiding Citizen’s reviewsoften describe it is bleak and messy. Not only is the film incredibly violent, but its interesting commentary on the limits of justice is lost thanks to a scarcely believable plot that, ultimately, compromises any message it might be trying to deliver. AsLaw Abiding Citizen’s Netflix success proves, the movie still has many defenders.However, when it comes to a purely entertaining action flick that showcases Gerard Butler’s villainous potential while speaking to broader issues of injustice,Copshopis streets ahead.
Every Gerard Butler Action Movie, Ranked Worst To Best
Plane sees Gerard Butler doing what he does best but how do his many other action movies - including the Has Fallen trilogy - rank beside each other?
Copshop
Cast
Copshop is a thriller directed by Joe Carnahan. Gerard Butler stars as a hitman who gets himself arrested to evade capture. Frank Grillo co-stars as the con artist he’s targeting, who is also in police custody. The film unfolds in a small-town police station, where a rookie cop, played by Alexis Louder, finds herself caught in the deadly standoff between the two men.
