‘The Fix’ Opens Low on Rotten Tomatoes as Liam Neeson and Zachary Levi Face Criticism

Liam Neeson has carved out a niche in late-career action thrillers, consistently delivering globe-trotting adventures for over a decade. Despite mixed reviews, audiences have generally supported his films, making him a reliable box office draw even when critical feedback is unfavorable.

This trend continued with his latest release, a Tehran-based thriller featuring ‘Shazam!’ star Zachary Levi. Expectations for the opening weekend were modest, given the mixed reactions to Neeson’s recent projects, but few anticipated just how disappointing the numbers would be.

‘The Fix‘ debuted with a mere 19 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes from 26 reviews, marking it as one of the lowest-rated films in Neeson’s career on the platform. It ranks as the sixth-lowest-rated title in his extensive filmography, trailing only a few other poorly received films from recent years.

The film follows a team of former CIA operatives, led by Levi’s character Tucker and mentored by Neeson’s Larry, as they embark on a perilous rescue-and-heist mission in Tehran after a disastrous operation in Afghanistan. Directed by Guy Moshe, the movie premiered on September 11, a date that added scrutiny given its context within America’s post-Afghanistan narratives.

Critics were quick to dissect the film. The Hollywood Reporter pointed out its excessive nature, suggesting that the film undermines its own effectiveness through overkill, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

Similarly, The New York Times criticized the film as poorly timed and trivializing given its subject matter, a sentiment echoed in comments reported by The New York Times. Levi’s performance faced scrutiny as well, with some critics attributing his character’s stiffness more to the script than to any shortcomings in his acting.

However, not all feedback has been entirely negative. Some reviewers praised Levi’s portrayal of Tucker as suitably cold and calculating, and early audience reactions have been somewhat more favorable than the critical consensus, with several viewers commending the film’s action sequences and suspense, despite concerns about pacing and runtime.

‘The Fix’ adds to the growing list of action films that have characterized this phase of Neon’s career, following a familiar formula of grizzled mentors, morally complex missions, and international backdrops. This formula has yielded both box office hits and critical failures, with 2022’s ‘Blacklight’ previously holding the title of his lowest-rated film on Rotten Tomatoes.

Whether ‘The Fix’ can attract an audience despite its harsh reception remains uncertain, especially considering Neeson’s historical ability to draw crowds regardless of critical opinion. His films in this genre have consistently shown a knack for appealing to audiences, making opening weekend performance a more telling indicator of the film’s future than its Rotten Tomatoes score alone.

Currently, ‘The Fix’ is firmly in “rotten” territory, joining a growing list of lukewarm to poor reviews for what was marketed as another entry in Neeson’s action catalog. Whether viewers will align with critics or choose to overlook the reviews will likely become evident as the film’s opening weekend unfolds.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments.