Liam Neeson captivated audiences once more with his performance in the intense survival thriller, The Grey. Directed by Joe Carnahan, known for the recent Netflix film The Rip, the movie features Neeson as a man stranded in a harsh, frozen landscape and hunted by a relentless pack of wolves. However, The Grey offers more depth than many of Neeson’s later action roles might suggest.
When The Grey came out in January 2012, it was a big success, earning $81 million despite only costing $25 million to make. This helped establish its star as a popular action hero. However, the film’s sudden and unexpected ending left many viewers unsure of what to think.
Film critic Roger Ebert was incredibly shaken by the thriller The Grey. He was so affected that he actually left the theater before another movie started. Let’s explore what made this film have such a strong impact on the late, great Ebert.
Liam Neeson’s Pulse-Pounding Survival Thriller
The movie The Grey is a suspenseful and gripping adaptation of the short story “Ghost Walker.” It follows a group of oil workers stranded in the harsh Alaskan wilderness after a plane crash. They must battle both the extreme cold and a dangerous pack of grey wolves. Liam Neeson plays John Ottway, a skilled marksman who previously kept the crew safe from animal attacks at the oil facility.
Stranded in the harsh, frozen wilderness far from help, Ottway and his team began a desperate trek through the snowy landscape, hoping to find the nearest town. They sought shelter in the woods, but faced a brutal struggle for survival against both a pack of hungry wolves and the dangers of the extreme cold, like hypothermia and lack of oxygen. The film culminates in a violent clash between the men and the wolves, and ends abruptly, leaving it unclear who ultimately wins.
‘The Grey’ Left a Powerful Impression on Famed Critic Roger Ebert
With strong supporting performances from Frank Grillo, Dermot Mulroney, and Dallas Roberts, The Grey was the second film to pair Liam Neeson with director Joe Carnahan, following their work on the 2010 remake of The A-Team. Though promoted as an action film about surviving against wild animals, the movie was praised for its beautiful visuals and Neeson’s moving portrayal of a man struggling for survival and grappling with difficult life questions.
The way the movie ended really hit me hard, and it made me think about everything the film was trying to say. It wasn’t just action; director Carnahan used the exciting parts to explore some really deep questions about life and what it all means. And honestly, it was amazing to watch Liam Neeson – he’s such a talented actor, and this role really let him shine and show off everything he’s capable of.
Film critic Roger Ebert was deeply impressed by The Grey, finding its bleakness particularly powerful. He gave it a positive review, awarding 3.5 stars, and was so affected by the movie that he actually left another screening later that same day. He explained that the emotional impact of The Grey was so strong, he felt he couldn’t fairly judge the second film.
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He went on to provide an explanation as to why he’d been left so affected, explaining:
The movie The Grey relentlessly builds tension. The wolves vastly outnumber the surviving men, and while the men have guns, the wolves are relentless and the weather is brutal. As I watched, a growing sense of dread washed over me. Surely, the film would offer some kind of hopeful resolution, or at least a lessening of the tension? Don’t turn it off before the credits finish – there’s one final scene that adds another layer to the story, though the film is impactful even without it.
Roger Ebert wasn’t alone in praising the intense and gripping thriller. His colleague Richard Roeper, along with A.O. Scott of The New York Times, both included The Grey on their lists of the best films of 2012.
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