Gerard Butler’s “Throwback” Action Thriller That Bombed at the Box Office Finds Success on Streaming

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A Gerard Butler movie that didn’t get much attention when it was released in 2021 is now a hit on Netflix. Called Copshop, it’s being described as a throwback to classic action movies from the 70s and 90s, similar to John Carpenter’s Assault on Precinct 13. Butler plays Robert Viddick, a hitman, who ends up in a jail cell next to Frank Grillo’s character, a con artist named Theodore Murretto who’s trying to escape.

Joe Carnahan, known for directing The Rip, directed Copshop, which was released in theaters on September 17, 2021. Although the film cost $43 million to make, it only earned $6.8 million at the box office. This was likely due to a combination of factors, including theaters still recovering from the pandemic and strong competition from blockbuster films like Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Adding to the difficulties, both the director and star Frank Grillo were unhappy with the studio, leading to disagreements over the film’s creative direction. This resulted in Carnahan largely skipping promotional events and Grillo publicly criticizing how his performance was presented. Here’s what the movie is about:

A clever con artist (Grillo) is trying to escape a deadly assassin (Butler) and comes up with a risky plan: hiding in a local police station. Unfortunately, the hitman tracks him down, and a new, inexperienced police officer finds herself in the middle of a dangerous situation.

‘Copshop’ Featured a Breakout Performance by Alexis Louder

Though Gerard Butler and Frank Grillo were the main draws of Copshop, the film really served as a platform for Alexis Louder to demonstrate her acting ability. Before Copshop, she had smaller roles in movies like Black Panther and The Tomorrow War. In Copshop, Louder stood out as a new police officer stuck between Butler and Grillo’s conflict, trying to figure out which of them was the less dangerous. While people initially came to see the two established action stars, many ended up impressed by Louder’s performance. As critic Michael Medved observed:

The movie is consistently intense and violent, but it’s skillfully done, particularly thanks to Alexis Louder, a new actress who gives a truly remarkable performance as the compelling police officer driving the story.

‘Copshop’ Is One of Gerard Butler’s Highest Rated Movies


Open Road Films

The action thriller Copshop is currently the second most popular movie on Netflix in the U.S. Viewers are discovering what critics have known all along: it’s a fast-paced and enjoyable ride. With an 83% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a “Certified Fresh” label, it’s one of Gerard Butler’s best-reviewed films, surpassed only by the How to Train Your Dragon movies.

In a review, Zach Pope called the movie a ‘fun throwback,’ saying it made him smile, laugh, and thoroughly enjoy himself. He noted it was a little lengthy, but praised its unique quality, adding, ‘They don’t make movies like this anymore!’ Peter Gray also shared his thoughts:

Copshop could have easily been a typical action movie, but it’s surprisingly clever and consistently fun to watch. The film is made even better by Gerard Butler and Frank Grillo, who both deliver understated performances, avoiding their usual over-the-top styles.

Viewers seem to really enjoy Copshop, giving it a score of 74% – so if you’re a fan of Gerard Butler, it’s worth watching! You can find this exciting, old-school action movie streaming on Netflix now.

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2026-02-03 19:18