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Defendor
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Defendor

2009
Comedy
Drama
1h 41m
A comedy centered around three characters: an everyday guy who comes to believe he's a superhero, his psychiatrist, and the teenager he befriends. (imdb)
Directed by:
Peter Stebbings Peter Stebbings
Written by:
Peter Stebbings Peter Stebbings
Starring:
Woody Harrelson Woody Harrelson Elias Koteas Elias Koteas Sandra Oh Sandra Oh Michael Kelly Michael Kelly Lyriq Bent Lyriq Bent Tatiana Maslany Tatiana Maslany Kristin Booth Kristin Booth Clark Johnson Clark Johnson Kat Dennings Kat Dennings Ron White Tony Nappo Tony Nappo Charlotte Sullivan Charlotte Sullivan
More
Genres:
Comedy, Drama, Crime
Country:
Canada
Languages:
English, Russian
imdb More information at IMDb
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Defendor

2009
Comedy
Drama
1h 41m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 47.66% from 669 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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doctor7doctor7
Rated 24 Mar 2010
86
86th
Though Defendor isn't a masterpiece it is a brilliant piece of storytelling. It never condones or condemns vigilantism and it never presents it as glamorous. However it does present Defendor as likable and able to see the world in black and white; his below average IQ gives him this endearingly simplistic perspective (think Forrest Gump as a superhero). What you end up with is a touching tale of someone trying to make a difference in the real world as best they can.
Rated 24 Mar 2010
cinemaasiaCinema_Asia
Rated 26 Apr 2010
65
42nd
Interesting concept but totally predictable and follows the usual character archetypes and situational cliches. Hooker with a heart of gold in 2009? No thanks. Also, in a film about a "real" costumed hero it was a mistake to make the villains out to be more like action film caricatures than any sort of real criminals. The writing also revisited the childhood abuse theme a little too much and it probably would have been far better if the mental issues of Defendor were left ambiguous.
Rated 26 Apr 2010
pickpocketPickpocket
Rated 28 Mar 2010
3
28th
For some reason there is a rise in these "superhero with no power" movies and none of them have been particularly interesting, and this is no exception. Much like Special, it's another standard throwaway indie film. There is nothing really wrong with it, it's just not particularly memorable or great in any single way. It's also worth noting how hideous Kat Dennings is when she shows zero cleavage, unbelievable how her boobs blinded me to her face and terrible acting chops.
Rated 28 Mar 2010
abunchofcatsABUNCHOFCATS
Rated 10 Apr 2010
62
18th
What a shame. This movie could've been fantastic. This movie flipflopped over and over and over whether or not it wanted to be a comedy or a serious, violent drama, and that is the major flaw. The serious drama parts are awesome and exactly what the movie should've been, the comedy comes out of nowhere and destroys the pacing the movie was building up. Comedy would've been good too but they just sort of went half and half and it's a schizophrenic affair at best. Very watchable though.
Rated 10 Apr 2010
sirvasilSirVasil
Rated 29 Jul 2010
80
83rd
How is this labeled Comedy?
Rated 29 Jul 2010
skiewulfyskiewulfy
Rated 18 Jul 2010
30
12th
Lost somewhere between dark comedy and a somber look at the consequences of trying to operate as a masked avenger, Defendor has neither the wit nor the authenticity to entertain as either. The apparently mentally handicapped crime fighter, has little depth and implausibly fights cartoonishly cliché mobsters in a plot as predictable as it is formulaic. The real failure lies in a story with so much potential for dark humor that wants desperately to be a gritty drama.
Rated 18 Jul 2010
spookymaskSpookyMask
Rated 27 Apr 2010
77
78th
Spin off of the Watchmen movie, Rorschach's son becomes a super hero, is also mentally retarded.
Rated 27 Apr 2010
thedenizenTheDenizen
Rated 06 Sep 2010
65
51st
Stupid is as stupid does...and fighting crime with a VCR duct taped to your back is pretty stupid. Harrelson gives a good performance in this combination of Forrest Gump and Kick-Ass, but the film falls disappointingly short of its potential by refusing to commit fully to either the cartoon fantasy or the tragic reality of the situation. Pointless trivia: filmed in my home town.
Rated 06 Sep 2010
sebbysebby
Rated 28 Mar 2010
60
46th
A bit more entertaining than Special is it's slightly more retarded cousin, Defendor. Harrelson is easy to watch in pretty much anything, and in truth he's probably the reason I enjoyed the film the small bit that I did. The story is awkward because it shifts thematically way too much, and the crime plot is just poorly conceived. Poor job of genre-juggling, I guess. Elias Koteas is great, though. Somebody needs to give him a lead anti-hero role in a ridiculous action/crime flick. He'd kill it.
Rated 28 Mar 2010
kmcneilKMcNeil
Rated 21 Mar 2010
5
43rd
If it had been even more stripped down, less uplifting and unflinchingly raw, this could probably have been THE movie of the year. I believe that a neorealist superhero movie with a somewhat dim main character (picture him being beaten up, left on the street and walking senselessly around the city instead of being helped by his friends and a young hooker) could be something special. As it stands it is an amazing idea, but a disappointing execution.
Rated 21 Mar 2010
zarkonZarkon
Rated 25 Mar 2010
75
36th
The execution is flawed -- I seemed to be one step away from knowing what the hell was going on at any point in the movie, and Kat Dennings seemed one step away from a miscast. But it's certainly an original piece of work and Woody Harrelson plays an excellent vigilante manchild. Definitely worth a watch.
Rated 25 Mar 2010
mlightle3mlightle3
Rated 07 Mar 2010
90
84th
Beautiful and tragic, not a comedy, though there were moments of levity. Enjoyable mostly due to Harrelson's engaging performance, and Kat Dennings continues to find obscure underwritten characters and make them real people. Overall, worth a go.
Rated 07 Mar 2010
deathcrowDeathcrow
Rated 28 Mar 2010
80
83rd
Excellent movie that is made of pure win. Great acting, great drama and great humor (where it's appropriate). The fictitious town where the story takes place sucks you into it's world and it all works so well that it makes you feel a part of the fate of the protagonist. This movie is definitely worth all the attention it is getting, which is something that I can't say very often.
Rated 28 Mar 2010
zealot185Zealot185
Rated 22 May 2010
20
4th
It's like a serious, white version of Blankman. It did not work at all for me, and Kat Dennings is a horrible actress. I admit to not finishing this one.
Rated 22 May 2010
derekstarDerekstar
Rated 20 Mar 2011
70
50th
The first third of the movie so was pretty hilarious, but by the end it descended into a semi-predictable cop drama. Obviously the joy of the film is watching Woody Harrelson act the damn fool. When we lose that, the story isn't really that interesting.
Rated 20 Mar 2011
therealj_roTheRealJ-Ro
Rated 24 May 2010
80
70th
Out-kickasses "Kick-Ass" by a country mile, sporting a much more likable protagonist. You can very obviously tell that this is a Canadian-made movie if you look hard enough. Woody drives the flick, no surprise there, but honestly, Kat Dennings deserves a lot of praise for her work. She's not really given much to work with -- an underwritten hooker character -- but at the same time, she DOES make the most of it. Most criticisms against her acting are bullshit as far as I'm concerned. Recommended!
Rated 24 May 2010
spikycactusSpikyCactus
Rated 29 Dec 2013
90
95th
Top badass moment? Nearly all superheroes are badass and Defendor's no exception. Going after the city's crime boss armed with only a few marbles and wasps is pretty ballsy; it's also one of the most stupid things you can probably do too. Monumental stupidity is always badass. No cats, chainsaws or decapitations.
Rated 29 Dec 2013
kasperlKasperL
Rated 25 Apr 2010
60
50th
Harrelson is amazing and he's very funny here. Koteas is, as always, the bomb. Decent.
Rated 25 Apr 2010
deaddillydeaddilly
Rated 23 Mar 2010
60
27th
A movie that hits home with it's uncanny sense of honesty and heart. Harrelson was born for this role and his subtleties worked wonders here. Sure you can whine about how the concept handled differently had masterpiece potential, but what's the fun in that?
Rated 23 Mar 2010
netmonknetmonk
Rated 21 Mar 2010
93
94th
Mix of genres may not be to everyone's taste, but it's funny, touching and at times surprisingly scary. Woody Harrelson plays extremely well and makes the hero touching and moving as well as a "hero" in his own way.
Rated 21 Mar 2010
billyshearsBillyShears
Rated 24 May 2010
80
77th
The back of the box said "Darkly funny", which is just code for DEPRESSING.
Rated 24 May 2010
delirium9Delirium9
Rated 06 Jun 2010
90
67th
What a perfect little movie. I have renewed respect for Woody Harrelson. He was just born for this kind of role, and he certainly shines in it. Bravo!
Rated 06 Jun 2010
damildamil
Rated 15 Jan 2012
55
34th
Kick-Ass (2010) did it better. I didn't care too much for this movie. I thought Woody Harrelson was great, but that was about it. It wasn't very well structured, I didn't care about the characters, it wasn't funny and I just became bored really. Oh, and I hated Kat Dennings and her character in this too.
Rated 15 Jan 2012
matthew_parkinsonMatthew Parkinson
Rated 22 Dec 2013
50
47th
I hesitate to call Defendor a good movie. It's too mediocre and tonally inconsistent to truly recommend it. But its take on the superhero genre, and real-life superheroes in particular, is novel, and if you're looking for something a little different from the superhero blockbuster, this one might fit the bill. It has moments of brilliance and some good performances, and while it does feel long it's never truly dull. It's a mixed bag, but if it sounds like it's for you, I recommend seeing it.
Rated 22 Dec 2013
indyatmnINDYATMN
Rated 29 Jun 2012
75
41st
Kat Jennings does not make a very believable hooker. Sure she may have been molested by her dad, may steal from the hero & take drugs, but there's never a doubt there's a Pretty-Woman-sized heart of gold lurking underneath. The whole film suffers from being a similar half-measured attempt at realistic drama, which is unfortunate since the film doesn't pull off black comedy either. The hero's mix of goofiness & disturbing mental disorder dilute each other rather than spark any nervous laughs.
Rated 29 Jun 2012
darkmandarkman
Rated 13 Jul 2010
70
38th
Similiar premise to Kick-Ass. Not nearly as good as K-A but still enjoyable.
Rated 13 Jul 2010
teftef
Rated 23 Aug 2010
100
97th
Better than perfect. Always outnumbered, always outgunned.
Rated 23 Aug 2010
pigletPiglet
Rated 23 Mar 2010
70
59th
Harrelson and Dennings make this worth while.
Rated 23 Mar 2010
aliyaliy
Rated 01 Oct 2010
85
31st
good
Rated 01 Oct 2010
fredericg54frederic_g54
Rated 26 Mar 2010
7
57th
Never comes off as a groundbreaking experience, but I like these reinventions of the superhero genre; Unconventional without exploiting its deeply rooted core values and the characters are well portrayed, notably Harrelson as the likeable vigilante. A good time at the movies.
Rated 26 Mar 2010
hellboy76hellboy76
Rated 26 Jun 2011
66
51st
Confusing, kind of mean spirited (ala Super) vigilante flick. It's no Kick-Ass but it's not terrible.
Rated 26 Jun 2011
ranaldRanald
Rated 13 May 2010
55
24th
Likeable enough, and Woody Harrelson is always watchable, but the premise (superheroes in real life would have to be CRAZY!) has been done before and it unfolds with few surprises.
Rated 13 May 2010
closedmouthclosedmouth
Rated 27 Oct 2014
70
41st
This movie has a lot of problems (the tone-deaf script is not as clever as it thinks it is, especially in the really dumb third act and cringe-worthy ending), but Stebbings directs reasonably well, if unremarkably (he has a snappy, entertaining editing rhythm) and the acting is charming if not brilliant (except for Dennings, though not many people could make something out of that character) so it's fun and likable for the most part.
Rated 27 Oct 2014
elmakebabielmakebabi
Rated 10 Oct 2021
53
27th
Defendor is an inharmonious genre combination. It could be a good action, comedy, or drama by itself but it prefers to be all of them at the same time. The result? Well, after mixing these typically incompatible genres, Defendor turns out to be so slow for an action film, so barren for a comedy, and so uninspiring for a drama. While Defendor is not a dreadful film, and the "home-made superheroes" subgenre remains relatively uncharted territory, none of the facets of the film shines through.
Rated 10 Oct 2021
bookhouseboybookhouseboy
Rated 13 Sep 2010
65
87th
#10#, reviews, story, W Harrelson
Rated 13 Sep 2010
luna6ixLuna6ix
Rated 22 Aug 2010
81
78th
a very solid outing, harrelson and koteas do bang up jobs--they're a couple of my favorites in the industry. if the story had a little better character development and a tighter script it could have been much better.
Rated 22 Aug 2010
kameshakamesha
Rated 14 Jun 2010
75
77th
Definitely a refreshing movie from all the "super hero" type movies coming out in 2010 (though this is released in 2009). Woody Harrelson is great in it but I found co-star Kat Dennings part to talentless and non-believable.
Rated 14 Jun 2010
metalhankmetalhank
Rated 07 Dec 2018
82
96th
Knew very little about this going into it and man was I surprised as this blew me away. This is one that is really hard to peg a genre to it, as it has lots of many. The film's story is really rather simple, but it is the cast that knocks this out of the park. Harrelson is spectacular as he shows so much emotion with the complex character, and the supporting cast do a fine job as well. If you like quirky/independent type films definitely go for it.
Rated 07 Dec 2018
zapperlifeZapperLife
Rated 02 Sep 2012
76
88th
Revisited (3)
Rated 02 Sep 2012
omgfridgeomgfridge
Rated 20 May 2010
7
65th
Similar scenario to "Kick-Ass" yet the polar opposite. Harrelson is perfect in this heartfelt story. Was not what i was expecting but definitely welcomed it.
Rated 20 May 2010
amazedemonamazedemon
Rated 15 Nov 2020
64
51st
Defendor is an alright take on the non-powered superhero sub-genre, that ultimately fails to leave an impression. The plot is centred around themes of mental illness, alcoholism and addiction, but fails to really do anything with them. It's characters are pitiable. Harrelson is alright, Dennings is mercifully forgettable and Oh occasionally pops up. The nature of the characters doesn't easily lend itself to the attempted comedy nor is the drama that good. Watchable, but that's about it.
Rated 15 Nov 2020
stflyst_fly
Rated 15 Jun 2010
48
47th
Good. More a tragedy than a comedy, this Harrelson starrer off-beat action just manages to stay afloat. A bit too preachy for my taste. Recommended.
Rated 15 Jun 2010
naurunauru
Rated 10 Nov 2010
88
97th
Really excellent story telling, and superb acting from the whole cast. A much better film than the Dark Knight.
Rated 10 Nov 2010
sirstuckeySirStuckey
Rated 29 Apr 2011
75
67th
Very enjoyable. I didn't go into this expecting too much, but got completely engaged and fell in love with the character. Harrelson shows the heart that you forget he can bring to a character until you watch him in something like this. It definitely needs to be seen by more people.
Rated 29 Apr 2011
tripwyreTripwyre
Rated 09 Aug 2011
66
52nd
We've gotten to the point where subverting the superhero genre has become a genre unto itself, but I like Defendor's ideas, unoriginal though they may be. This is one of many recent "Joe Average tries to be Batman" movies, but it's got something the others don't: Woody Harrelson. The lead performance is engaging, and the film flirts back and forth between a straight-faced drama and a dark comedy. The gadgets are ingenious, the ending is not.
Rated 09 Aug 2011
oldgoatoldgoat
Rated 08 Dec 2010
80
84th
I could describe this movie two ways, and people wouldn't know I was talking about the same one until the ending. One of the darkest comedies, that constantly jumps between sad and funny but sad.
Rated 08 Dec 2010
joeliusJoelius
Rated 24 Jun 2010
28
33rd
A strong and compelling story about a subject that becomes more and more important each day.
Rated 24 Jun 2010
lostinlodoslostinlodos
Rated 17 Jun 2010
71
46th
If only real life were so kind; we need more real people like this character.
Rated 17 Jun 2010
troothTrooth
Rated 22 Aug 2012
76
73rd
It has kind of a sloppy script. Kat Dennings' character in particular seems to just be forcefully shoved into every scene where she's present. She really feels like more of a tool to progress the story than a genuine fleshed-out character. But if you can look past some flaws, it's still a pretty funny, decently-emotional movie.
Rated 22 Aug 2012
snazzSnazz
Rated 31 Jul 2010
80
87th
Woody is doing a great job carrying this, supported nicely by Michael Kelly and Kat Dennings. It's about a man with a big heart, who simply doesn't know any better than to act on his good-heartedness without compromise. Great bit on a real-world superhero.
Rated 31 Jul 2010
panomadgreekpanomadgreek
Rated 12 Jun 2011
68
34th
Somewhat confused premise, but nonetheless entertaining and emotive
Rated 12 Jun 2011
nursusNursus
Rated 13 Jun 2010
79
58th
Comédie douce-amère, assez triste. "Crépusculaire" comme le dit Mad Movies. Excellents acteurs, surtout le premier rôle, aux antipodes de Zombieland.
Rated 13 Jun 2010
moviemanMovieMan
Rated 29 Apr 2010
64
72nd
For all its aspirations, the film never meshes into something cohesive or substantial. Its naive earnestness has its charms, but like its title character, Defendor never takes flight.
Rated 29 Apr 2010
crazybobcatcrazyBobcat
Rated 28 Dec 2011
70
68th
Harrelson is brilliant
Rated 28 Dec 2011
chemical404chemical404
Rated 12 Aug 2011
67
75th
Peter Stebbings puts a character who is a bit slow in his head and has a superhero complex into a world of 90's crime b-movie world, with stereotypical bad guys and their masterplans. Thing is, the lead character, well performed by Harrelson, is the most realistic thing in the film. Is it the smart way of the director to show how our superhero sees the world? It might be so. But either way, this is entertaining and touching film.
Rated 12 Aug 2011
myfavchordsmyfavchords
Rated 13 Dec 2011
79
77th
Woody Harrelson is very good in the lead role. This is an interesting story about a man who believes he is a super hero. The supporting cast is alright, the main reason to watch this movie is for Harrelson's performance.
Rated 13 Dec 2011
kojilessKojiless
Rated 06 Dec 2011
78
82nd
Elias Kostas is Robert DeNiro...if Robert DeNiro was a thin Joe Pesci.
Rated 06 Dec 2011
vandelay1Vandelay1
Rated 16 Jul 2010
52
54th
Okay Movie
Rated 16 Jul 2010
forehead1forehead1
Rated 17 Jan 2013
10
0th
An unoriginal idea that's nowhere near realised to its full potential, you've got Defendor nailed within the first ten minutes. This just leaves an unnecessarily slow and boring following hour-and-a-half, the film failing woefully to mix (or even produce) comedy and drama, and sporting an incredibly thin plot that isn't even taken advantage of to focus on the likes of gags,script or set pieces. I couldn't say I hated this but I also can't admit to having a single redeeming thing to say about it.
Rated 17 Jan 2013
chrispalmChrisPalm
Rated 06 Apr 2010
77
62nd
You will be reminded of Forrest Gump through the whole movie and Woody fix the role quite well too. The movie wants you to bond with the main character for all its worth, and partly succeeds. The story itselfs is quite cheap and nowhere near its big brother.
Rated 06 Apr 2010
ernestinaErnestina
Rated 01 May 2014
64
66th
I don't want to diminish the awesomeness of the movie, but I think that the best describing word for it is "cute". Cute, with heart. It wasn't exactly funny, but it had greatly humorous moments - with the lime juice and the wasps. Woody Harrelson is badass, as always.
Rated 01 May 2014
tvfilm_hubTV+Film-Hub
Rated 22 Jun 2010
11
56th
The best retard film I've ever seen!
Rated 22 Jun 2010
bofbof
Rated 16 Nov 2011
69
57th
Where Kick-Ass (apparently) plays it for laughs, Defendor makes it pretty clear that this superhero is a tragic figure and takes itself unusally seriously: there is nothing funny about watching a man who should probably be under mental care get the crap kicked out of him by a bunch of highly amused drug dealers. But the thing is, the city is flooded with drugs and sex slaves and guns, and the police are unable to do anything about it. So isn't a superhero what people need?
Rated 16 Nov 2011

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