The Foreigner

The Foreigner

Year: 2017

Runtime: 113 min

Language: English

Director: Martin Campbell

Echo Score: 70
ActionDramaMysteryThrillerCrime

After a tragic terrorist attack claims the life of his daughter, London businessman Quan embarks on a relentless pursuit of justice. Driven by grief and rage, he targets a British official suspected of involvement, disrupting his own meticulously built life. His quest for retribution forces him to confront painful truths and long-buried secrets from his past, leading him down a dangerous path of revenge.

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The Foreigner (2017) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at The Foreigner (2017) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In contemporary London, the city’s sleek glass towers and historic streets pulse with a restless energy that never quite settles. Amid this layered backdrop lives Quan, a Vietnam‑war veteran who has built a respectable life as a businessman, sharing quiet moments with his young daughter Fan. Their world is one of routine and modest happiness, set against the larger hum of a metropolis that is as much a character as any person who walks its avenues.

When a sudden act of terror shatters that calm, the loss leaves Quan adrift, his grief sharpening into an unyielding resolve. He turns his attention toward the corridors of power, where Liam Hennessy, a senior British official, occupies a position that hints at hidden complexities beyond the polished surface of government. As Quan steps farther from the safety of his restaurant and the counsel of his trusted friend Lam, the story widens to include the delicate balance between duty, secrecy, and the shadows that linger in diplomatic circles.

The film’s tone walks a razor’s edge between methodical suspense and raw emotional intensity, blending the rain‑slick streets of London with moments of quiet introspection. It paints a portrait of a man who, driven by loss, must navigate a world where justice and vengeance are indistinguishable in the fog of grief. The atmosphere is steeped in noir‑ish mood, inviting viewers to wonder how far a father will go when the foundations of his life have been torn apart, and what truths may emerge when he dares to challenge those who sit behind the veil of authority.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 03:00

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The Foreigner Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Foreigner

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