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Lockout

Lockout

Take no prisoners.

201295 minPG-13Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films
Directors
Steve Saint Leger, James Mather
Starring
Guy Pearce, Maggie Grace, Vincent Regan, Joe Gilgun

Set in the near future, Lockout follows a falsely convicted ex-government agent , whose one chance at obtaining freedom lies in the dangerous mission of rescuing the President's daughter from rioting convicts at an outer space maximum security prison.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Lockout?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Lockout streaming on The Roku Channel (free) and Tubi (free) and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

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Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Lockout?

Lockout earns 4 badges, led by Fun and Preferred by Critics.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Lockout worth watching?

Lockout's Midcredits score is the 40th percentile of all films, from 138K ratings across 6 sources. 42% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

40th percentile

Better received than 40% of films

56th percentile among Action41st percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)40th
Approval (how many liked it)41st

59 /100

40th percentile of all films

56th percentile among Action41st percentile among 2010s

Critics 48 · Audience 59

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.2 — solid but not unanimous.

Approval

How many liked it

42% liked it

41st percentile of all films

55th percentile among Action40th percentile among 2010s
42% rated it 7–1058% rated it 1–6

Critics 38% · Audience 46%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

96th percentile

138K ratings across platforms

92nd percentile among Action96th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 24% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$20M
Opening weekend$6.2M
Domestic gross$14M
Worldwide gross$33M

Returned 1.6× its budget — 73rd percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

Lockout is a deliberately silly, derivative B-movie that offers mindless action and Guy Pearce's snarky one-liners.

Fans praised

  • Guy Pearce's wisecracking, charismatic antihero carries the film
  • Knows what it is and delivers fun, old-school B-movie action
  • Fast-paced, entertaining popcorn flick with witty one-liners

Detractors panned

  • Derivative, unoriginal plot lifted from Escape from New York and Die Hard
  • Terrible CGI, especially in the opening chase scene
  • Script full of plot holes, illogical science, and one-dimensional characters

What stands out

ActingDivisive65

Guy Pearce's charismatic, wisecracking performance; supporting cast adequate but generic

DialogueDivisive65

Witty one-liners that fans love but detractors find grating and excessive

HumorDivisive65

Snow's constant wisecracks are the main appeal; detractors find them annoying and forced

PacingDivisive65

Fast-paced and breezy at 95 minutes; some find it rushed and repetitive

Plot and story30

Derivative Escape from New York/Die Hard mashup; predictable, full of plot holes and illogical science

Effects and spectacleDivisive30

Awful CGI in opening chase; otherwise serviceable but low-budget visual effects

Characters30

Snow is a fun stereotype; rest are flat, one-dimensional archetypes with no depth

Originality15

Openly derivative, an homage/rip-off of Escape from New York and other 80s action films

Preferred by

Critics vs users

Preferred by Critics

Critics scored it 11 points higher than users.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 5 points apart
  • Under-30s vs over-30s 4 points apart
  • US vs non-US 5 points apart

Watch experience

What is Lockout like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Fun ride: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want a fun ride.

It is intense and funny, never lets up and leaves you entertained.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Nothing out of the ordinary.

What it feels like

Fun ride.

The answer rests on this: Moods
ThrillingTenseAbsurd
Heaviest: throughout
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
PlayfulIrreverent · 1% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film holds its material at an ironic, self-aware distance, with a sardonic hero and action sequences played for fun rather than gravity.
The rideThe film maintains a constant pace of action and danger from the prison riot to the final escape, with lighter one-liners interspersed.
StructureStraightforward three-act structure with linear chronology.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Entertained.

The answer rests on this: FunRousing · 10% of films
Why it leaves you this wayA lightweight, enjoyable action movie that leaves the viewer entertained and satisfied without deeper reflection.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet endingTwist

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).QuestRescue
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10% (this title): Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% (this title) · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Quest: A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles. · Rescue: Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).

10% of films fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeSnow must infiltrate a space prison overrun by convicts to rescue the president's daughter, a classic rescue quest.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfSurvival
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% (this title) · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% (this title) · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15% (this title): Survival 17% (this title) · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Survival

SurvivalBetrayal · 5% of filmsRedemption · 6% of films: Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).
Observes its theme: Presents its theme neutrally, declining to judge.Societal stakes: Consequences reach a whole social order.Single lead
How it treats its themeSnow fights to survive the prison riot while seeking to clear his name after being betrayed by his colleague.
StanceThe film treats survival and betrayal as givens of the action-movie world, neither celebrating nor condemning them, focusing on Snow's journey.

The world

Near futureInstitutionalOuter spaceUrbanScience fiction
Orchestral modernSupportive music · original score · Alexandre Azaria
Settinga maximum-security space prison and Earth's future New York
MusicA driving, modern orchestral score that underscores the fast-paced action.

Content guide

Is Lockout okay for kids?

PG-13

Lockout is rated PG-13: “Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and language including some sexual references” (MPAA). As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at intense (74/100), sexual content at mild (17/100), language at intense (62/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (33/100) and frightening material at moderate (51/100). Overall it is heavier than 88% of PG-13-rated films.

Ratings in 18 other countries
  • UK15
  • Canada14A
  • AustraliaMA15+
  • Germany16
  • France16
  • Ireland15
  • JapanR18+
  • Brazil16
  • Belgium14
  • BGD
  • Denmark15
  • Greece16
  • Hungary16
  • LTN-13
  • Netherlands12
  • Portugal12
  • Russia16+
  • Spain16
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 56% of all filmsHeavier than 88% of PG-13-rated films
Violence & Gore
Intense
heavy for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 95%
Sex & Nudity
Mild
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 23%
Profanity
Intense
heavy for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 92%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 56%
Frightening / Intense
Moderate
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 58%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

The reason to think twice is violence and language. Everything else sits at or below what PG-13-rated films usually carry.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Lockout have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Lockout?

Cast

2 of the 10 billed cast had never appeared on screen; 1 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Guy Pearce
as Snow
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Maggie Grace
as Emilie Warnock
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Vincent Regan
as Alex
Joe Gilgun
as Hydell
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Lennie James
as Harry Shaw
Peter Stormare
as Scott Langral
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Jacky Ido
as Hock
Tim Plester
as John James Mace
Mark Tankersley
as Barnes
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Anne-Solenne Hatte
as Kathryn
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Lockout?

Movies like Lockout include Hell Comes to Frogtown (1988), Bleeding Steel (2017) and Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021). Of the 12 closest matches, half are stories about antiheroes, and most are action comedies.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

3 of these 12 share its world: outer space. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Lockout?

930 other films share the rarest tag below, follows: spy. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.