Netflix Quietly Drops Liam Neeson’s Most Explosive Thriller Yet — Fans Say It’s Better Than Taken and “Too Good to Be Buried” with 87% on Rotten Tomatoes!

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Netflix has quietly dropped a Liam Neeson thriller so gripping, fans are already calling it “the most underrated action film of the decade.” Forget flashy superhero blockbusters — this is old-school, edge-of-your-seat Neeson, and audiences are saying it’s even better than Taken.

The film, Honest Thief, originally slipped under the radar when it hit cinemas back in 2020, earning a lukewarm critical reception. But now, thanks to its arrival on Netflix UK, the movie has been rediscovered by a whole new audience — and the reaction has been nothing short of explosive.

With high-stakes chases, brutal betrayals, and an 87% Rotten Tomatoes audience score, Honest Thief is suddenly climbing Netflix’s Top 10 chart, with viewers insisting it’s “criminally overlooked” and “too good to be buried.”

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A Story of Redemption That Turns Deadly

Liam Neeson plays Tom Dolan, a career bank robber who has spent years perfecting the art of the clean heist. But unlike most criminals, Dolan has had enough of running. He’s tired of watching his back and hiding who he is, especially now that he’s fallen in love with Annie, played by Kate Walsh (Grey’s Anatomy).

Hoping to turn over a new leaf, Dolan decides to do the unthinkable — turn himself in. He contacts the FBI, offering to return the millions he stole in exchange for a reduced sentence.

But things spiral out of control when two corrupt agents, played by Jai Courtney (Suicide Squad) and Anthony Ramos (Hamilton), see an opportunity. Instead of accepting Dolan’s confession, they decide to steal the cash, frame him for murder, and silence him once and for all.

What follows is a brutal race for survival as Dolan goes from repentant thief to hunted fugitive, forced to use every skill he’s ever learned to clear his name and protect the woman he loves.

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Fans Say It’s “Better Than Taken”

When Honest Thief was released, critics dismissed it as predictable. Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ score sits at a mere 41%, with reviews calling it “formulaic” and “forgettable.”

But audiences see things differently. On Netflix, word of mouth has transformed it into a must-watch. Viewers are raving not just about the action but about the emotional core of the story — a man who desperately wants redemption but is dragged back into violence by a corrupt system.

One fan wrote on social media:

“Very entertaining, well written, and Liam delivers as always.”

Another declared:

“Underrated. Familiar beats, but with fresh energy and disciplined direction. Honestly? Better than Taken.”

The Rotten Tomatoes audience score tells the same story: 87% of viewers loved it, putting it far above many of Neeson’s recent action outings.

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The Cast Brings Extra Firepower

Part of the film’s appeal lies in its strong supporting cast.

• Kate Walsh (Grey’s Anatomy) brings warmth and grounding as Annie, the woman who inspires Dolan to walk away from crime.

• Jai Courtney (Suicide Squad) is menacing as the corrupt FBI agent determined to crush Dolan at all costs.

• Anthony Ramos (Hamilton) adds a volatile edge as Courtney’s morally weak partner.

• Jeffrey Donovan (Burn Notice) provides a surprising twist as an agent who isn’t as easily corrupted.

Directed by Mark Williams (Ozark), the film strikes a careful balance between explosive action and emotional storytelling.

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Why Critics Missed the Point

So why did Honest Thief flop with critics but explode with viewers?

The answer may lie in expectations. Released in 2020 during the pandemic, the movie slipped quietly into theaters with little promotion. Many reviewers dismissed it as “just another Liam Neeson action flick” without appreciating its stripped-down storytelling and emotional resonance.

But for fans on Netflix, free from the shadow of box office expectations, the film feels fresh. It’s not overloaded with CGI or bloated with a two-and-a-half-hour runtime. At just 92 minutes, it’s sharp, efficient, and relentless.

As one fan put it:

“It’s not trying to be an Oscar movie. It’s Liam Neeson doing what he does best — and it hits harder than critics gave it credit for.”

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Why It Works on Netflix

Part of the film’s success lies in timing. Streaming audiences are hungry for thrillers that deliver big tension without big commitments. Honest Thief is exactly that — a compact adrenaline shot of action, romance, and betrayal.

On a platform where audiences often scroll endlessly for something watchable, Honest Thief grabs you in its opening minutes and doesn’t let go.

It also taps into the nostalgia of Neeson’s Taken era while adding a fresh twist: a protagonist who isn’t just fighting bad guys, but also fighting himself — his guilt, his past, and his need for redemption.

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A Hidden Gem That Refuses to Stay Buried

What makes Honest Thief stand out is its emotional core. Beneath the car chases and gunfights is a story about second chances — and how quickly they can be stolen. Neeson brings gravitas to the role, reminding audiences why he became Hollywood’s go-to action star in the first place.

As one viewer wrote:

“When has Liam Neeson ever disappointed us? This one hits differently.”

Now that it’s finally found an audience on Netflix, the film is being re-evaluated not as a minor misfire but as a sleeper hit — the kind of overlooked gem that streaming platforms are made to rediscover.

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Final Verdict

Honest Thief may have been buried by critics in 2020, but on Netflix, it’s exploding. With its mix of relentless action, emotional depth, and a powerhouse Liam Neeson performance, it’s the kind of thriller that proves sometimes audiences know better than the critics.

If you loved Taken but want something leaner, sharper, and more heartfelt, this is the movie to watch.

Stream it now on Netflix UK — and decide for yourself whether this is Liam Neeson’s most underrated role yet.