Wanted (2008) – Movie Review
Wanted, directed by Timur Bekmambetov and loosely based on the comic book series by Mark Millar and J.G. Jones, is a bold, high-octane action thriller that blends stylized violence, adrenaline-pumping sequences, and a surprisingly reflective core. It’s a film that doesn’t apologize for being over-the-top—in fact, it thrives on it.
The story follows Wesley Gibson (James McAvoy), an anxiety-ridden, disrespected office worker stuck in a dead-end life. He’s the kind of guy whose girlfriend cheats on him with his best friend, and his boss routinely berates him. Everything changes when he meets Fox (Angelina Jolie), a mysterious and deadly woman who introduces him to a secret society of assassins known as the Fraternity. They claim his recently murdered father was one of their top members—and Wesley has inherited his abilities.
Trained to control his body, emotions, and even the trajectory of bullets, Wesley is pulled into a world where rules no longer apply. The Fraternity, led by the enigmatic Sloan (Morgan Freeman), operates under the belief that fate itself determines who should live or die—by decoding messages hidden in the fabric produced by a mystical loom.
The transformation of Wesley from loser to lethal weapon is at the heart of the movie. James McAvoy, previously known for more sensitive roles, brings surprising intensity and vulnerability to Wesley. His journey is both physical and psychological, moving from timid to terrifying as he embraces his inner power and questions the morality of the group he’s joined.
Angelina Jolie, as Fox, is the embodiment of cool. She’s graceful, silent, deadly, and magnetic every time she’s on screen. Though her character is thinly developed, Jolie fills in the gaps with sheer presence. Morgan Freeman, meanwhile, brings his signature gravitas to Sloan, masking dangerous intentions behind a calm and authoritative demeanor.
The true star of Wanted, however, is its direction and action style. Bekmambetov delivers kinetic, visually audacious sequences that bend reality and physics. From slow-motion bullet ballet to a car chase on the side of a moving train, the film never runs out of creative ways to thrill. The “curving bullets” concept may defy logic, but it’s undeniably cool and instantly iconic.
That said, the film isn’t just all flair. It touches on themes of self-determination, agency, and rebellion against systems of control. Wesley’s awakening—learning not to be a cog in someone else’s machine—resonates with anyone who’s ever felt powerless in their own life.
The violence is stylized and graphic, making this a hard R-rated film, but it fits the comic-book tone and world. The pacing is swift, the score propulsive, and the editing razor-sharp. It’s a film that never lingers too long on a moment, always charging forward toward its next explosive set piece.
Wanted is not meant to be taken too seriously—but it’s smarter than it first appears. It’s about taking control, breaking free, and rewriting your destiny—even if it means curving a bullet or two along the way.