THE TRANSPORTER REFUELED
A revenge thriller that runs out of gas.
Should You Watch It?
The premise has material for a gripping action movie: a former sex slave named Anna seeks justice against the crime boss who forced women into prostitution. She tricks Frank Martin, the Transporter, into driving the getaway car during a $300 million robbery meant to destroy the criminal operation.
But the movie does not make much of that potential. The plot is flimsy and clichéd, the characters are one-dimensional, the acting is flat, and most of the fights and car chases have been done better elsewhere. The violence is intense, and the film also includes foul language, sexual exploitation, and a mixed pagan worldview.
If you want a well-made action thriller, skip this one and choose a faith-based or family-friendly movie instead.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESFrank Martin is a professional transporter who delivers any “package” for the right price while avoiding personal involvement with his clients. Anna, a former sex slave and prostitute, has spent 20 years learning how a Russian crime kingpin’s operation works.
She joins with other women who were victimized by the same criminal and tricks Frank into helping with a bank robbery. As their plan unfolds across France and other European locations, Frank and Anna become personally involved.
Is It Any Good?
Two stars means this action thriller has a promising setup but falls short in execution. The fight scenes and most of the car chases are by-the-book and have been seen and done better in countless other action movies.
The plot is flimsy and clichéd. The characters are one-dimensional, the acting is flat and wooden, and some scenes appear to use decades-old footage of exotic locales rather than newly filmed material. The characters become more humane and likable only in the closing moments, and that final twist cannot save the movie.
The Worldview
The film presents a strong mixed pagan worldview alongside moral elements. Former sex slaves seek justice and revenge against their former crime boss, and some of his money is given to his victims. The movie also discusses the abuse of women and sex trafficking, giving its revenge story a moral concern for people who have been exploited.
At the same time, the film treats revenge as a central means of answering evil. Its world also includes implied fornication, sexual exploitation, and women kissing as part of a distraction. The result is a story that recognizes injustice but does not offer a clearly biblical path from suffering to justice.
Scripture calls believers to leave vengeance to God: “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God” (Romans 12:19).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Strong mixed pagan worldview with moral elements of former sex slaves bringing justice and some revenge to their former crime boss, including giving some of his money to his victims, plus women kiss as part of a distraction; 11 obscenities and two profanities; very strong violence includes frequent fights involving the hero against multiple assailants with punching and kicking and throwing, several gunfights involving multiple machine guns, knives used to slash at people but not too graphic effect, several car chases, car flies off ramp and lands on a plane taking off, women set fire to criminal enterprises, hero’s father taken hostage and his life is threatened; implied fornication, references to being a sex slave and forced into prostitution, and women kiss to distract people; upper male nudity and females in skimpy outfits; alcohol use; no smoking but person found dead of a heroin overdose; and, revenge, abuse of women discussed, bank robbery, kidnapping.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
The film raises questions about justice for women who have been abused. What does God call us to do when we see exploitation or injustice?
Micah 6:8 · Isaiah 1:17The story places revenge at the center of its response to evil. Why does Scripture tell us not to avenge ourselves?
Romans 12:19–21 · Proverbs 20:22How can a desire for justice become different from trusting God to judge rightly?
Deuteronomy 32:35 · Psalm 37:5–6The Final Word
The Transporter Refueled has a promising premise but delivers flimsy writing, flat acting, ordinary action, and troubling content. Its concern for abused women does not overcome its violence, sexual exploitation, foul language, and worldview concerns. Our answer is SKIP IT. For better options, see.
