The Contractor
Performance & Direction: The Contractor Review
Last updated: February 16, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Contractor (2022) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.4/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Action.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Action is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Contractor features a noteworthy lineup led by Chris Pine . Supported by the likes of Kiefer Sutherland and Ben Foster , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: The Contractor
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2022, The Contractor is a Action, Thriller film directed by Tarik Saleh. The narrative delivers highly intense sequences and pulse-pounding confrontations that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Chris Pine.
Story Breakdown
In this high-octane feature, Tarik Saleh establishes a narrative structure that follows a classic action blueprint: establishing the protagonist's world, introducing a formidable antagonist, and escalating the stakes. After being involuntarily discharged from the U.S. Special Forces, James Harper decides to support his family by joining a private contracting organization alongside his best friend and under the command of a fellow veteran. Overseas on a covert mission, Harper must evade those trying to kill him while making his way back home. The film balances spectacular set pieces with character moments for Chris Pine, ensuring the action serves the story rather than overwhelming it.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The title opens with an explosive sequence that immediately establishes the stakes and introduces our protagonist in action.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Chris Pine's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The final confrontation delivers on the buildup, with stakes at their highest and the protagonist using everything they've learned.
Ending Explained: The Contractor
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Tarik Saleh, The Contractor concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to action resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes involving Chris Pine, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the action themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Contractor reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Contractor?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Action films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Chris Pine or the director
- Want an adrenaline rush without demanding perfection
Box Office Collection: The Contractor
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Worldwide Gross | $2.1M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Top Cast: The Contractor
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch The Contractor Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon VideoThe Contractor Parents Guide & Age Rating
2022 AdvisoryWondering about The Contractor age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Contractor is 103 minutes (1h 43m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.4/10, and global performance metrics, The Contractor is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2022 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Contractor worth watching?
The Contractor is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Action movies. It has a verified rating of 6.4/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Contractor parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Contractor identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Contractor?
The total duration of The Contractor is 103 minutes, which is approximately 1h 43m long.
Best Movies to Watch if you liked The Contractor
How The Contractor Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The Contractor
FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://www.msbreviews.com/movie-reviews/the-contractor-spoiler-free-review "The Contractor is one more generic action flick with a story borrowed directly from the formulaic Hollywood closet, without any surprises or even high entertainment levels. Chris Pine is the mandatory "famous face" chosen to (try to) elevate a plot seen countless times before, and with Ben Foster's friendly shoulder, they actually manage to carry Tarek Saleh's film for a good chunk of the runtime. However, even with a couple of captivating action sequences and occasional eyebrow-raising moments, this movie can't free itself from the imagination-inhibiting shackles. Inevitably, it will end up falling into the hole of oblivion as soon as the viewers leave the theater." Rating: C-
Okay as a time-waster and perfectly watchable as Chris Pine, as always, makes for a great lead, but the story is really predictable and the finale, which I think only was 10-minutes, felt really rushed and unsatisfying. It's a mix of Jack Ryan, Bourne Identity and Shooter. Fine as a rental, not sure I'd revisit anytime soon. **3.0/5**
Well, I suppose even Chris Pine has bills - and this rather lacklustre effort must have been his accountant's suggestion of best ways to pay. Here, he plays the down on his luck "Harper" - a former American Special Forces operative - who joins up with some former colleagues on an highly paid mission in Germany under the aegis of Kiefer Sutherland ("Rusty"). Of course it all goes wrong and we now have to endure the usual run-of-the-mill cat and mouse antics as he tries to get home safely and deal with his betrayer. It's not that it's a shocker, this - it's just that it is all so join-the-dots. It is in no way original; the plot is terribly predictable with the baddie's identity written pretty large right from the start and though entertaining enough, all the action scenes have such a disappointing inevitability about them. It takes quite a while to build up a head of steam, which doesn't really help it either as the whole thing could easily condense down into a decent fifty minute action thriller. It's a competent made for telly movie that I doubt even it's writers can remember now.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
Useful Links
More with Chris Pine
