Protector (2025 film)
| Protector | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Adrian Grünberg |
| Screenplay by | Bong-Seob Mun |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Vern Nobles Jr. |
| Edited by | Christian Wagner |
| Music by | Don Cherel |
Production company | Aanaxion Studio |
| Distributed by |
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Release dates |
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Running time | 92 minutes[2] |
| Countries |
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| Language | English |
| Box office | $1.3 million[3] |
Protector is a 2025 action thriller film directed by Adrian Grünberg and written by Bong-Seob Mun.
Plot
Nikki is an ex-soldier who left her violent life behind to raise her daughter Chloe. Eventually, Nikki wakes up in an abandoned factory and learns that Chloe has been kidnapped, and sets her off in a race against time to comb through the criminal underworld in search of Chloe as she eludes both the cops and the military.
Cast
- Milla Jovovich as Nikki
- Matthew Modine as Colonel Joseph Lavelle
- D. B. Sweeney
- Don Harvey
- Arica Himmel
- Michael Stahl-David
- Isabel Myers as Chloe
Production
In November 2024, it was reported Milla Jovovich would star in Protector for Highland Film Group, a Taken-like action-thriller film to be directed by Adrian Grünberg from a script by Bong-Seob Mun.[4] Filming was reported to take place in New Mexico.[5]
In May 2025, it was reported that principal photography had wrapped.[5][4]
Release
The film premiered on September 19, 2025 at the 30th Busan International Film Festival in the Midnight Passion section.[5] It was released on March 6, 2026 in the United States by Magenta Light Studios,[6] and is scheduled to be released in South Korea on March 25, by Ascendio Entertainment.[7]
Critical reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 19% of 26 critics' reviews are positive.[8] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 41 out of 100 based on 6 critics, which the site labels as "mixed or average" reviews.[9]
References
- ^ "Protector [15]". Korea Media Rating Board (in Korean). March 3, 2026. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
- ^ "Protector [14A]". Alberta Film Classification Office. February 17, 2026. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
- ^ "Protector". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved March 13, 2026.
- ^ a b "AFM: Milla Jovovich to Star in Action-Thriller 'Protector' (Exclusive)". hollywoodreporter.com. November 6, 2024. Archived from the original on November 6, 2024. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
- ^ a b c "First Look: Milla Jovovich in Action Thriller 'Protector'". Variety. May 14, 2025. Archived from the original on May 14, 2025. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
- ^ Wiseman, Andreas (January 9, 2026). "Bob Yari's Magenta Light Studios Sets Ten-Picture Production Deal With Korean-U.S. Outfit Aanaxion; Milla Jovovich Thriller First Up". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 9, 2026. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
- ^ Eun-Net, Lee (February 27, 2026). "밀라 요보비치 '프로텍터', 3월 25일 개봉 확정…배급은 아센디오 회장 남궁견 < 경제/산업 < 기사본문 - 이로운넷". Eroun. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
- ^ "Protector". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
- ^ "Protector". Metacritic. Retrieved March 10, 2026.