Most comic book movies are more popular with audiences than critics, but this sci-fi film – which is leaving HBO Max soon – flipped that trend. Critics praised it as exciting and full of clever, dry humor, while still staying true to the original story’s intense and realistic violence.
The 2012 film Dredd, featuring Karl Urban, Olivia Thirlby, and Lena Headey, takes place in the massive and dangerous city of Mega City One. Crime is rampant, and the only people enforcing the law are “judges” – individuals who have the power to arrest, convict, and execute criminals. Dredd (Urban) is one of the most feared judges, and he’s paired with Cassandra (Thirlby), a new recruit with strong psychic abilities. When a major crime is reported, they investigate the city’s most dangerous district, controlled by Ma-Ma (Headey), a ruthless drug lord determined to defend her criminal empire.
It’s A Great Take on the Original Material
Despite low expectations, the movie Dredd received very positive reviews, earning an 80% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Brian Eggert of Deep Focus Review praised its deliberate and well-crafted action, noting it stood out from many modern action films. Charles Webb of MTV agreed, highlighting that Dredd successfully built a believable world and characters, resulting in one of the most exciting action movies of the past year.
While most general viewers enjoyed the new movie based on the comic book (giving it a 72% rating on the Popcornmeter), some found the story a bit weak and the villain unoriginal. Many praised Karl Urban’s performance, calling him a standout in the action-packed film. Some viewers wished the movie had explored deeper themes to match its violence, feeling it lacked substance. Overall, there was a strong desire for a sequel, and it seems one might finally be in the works, potentially launching a whole series.
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2026-01-24 19:39