The Counselor Poster
Crime
Thriller

The Counselor (2013) Review in 2025

6.5/10
Flop

A gripping crime thriller about a lawyer who gets involved in a cocaine smuggling operation, but things take a dark turn.

2 hours 7 minutes
English (Dubbed: None)
Age group: 18-40, Interests: Crime, Thriller
Director:
Ridley Scott
Budget: 60 million USD
Gross: 70 million USD

Family-Friendly Rating

Is this movie suitable for family viewing?

Not recommended for family viewing due to mature themes, strong language, and graphic violence.

CineReview Recommendation

This movie is worth watching if you're a fan of crime thrillers, but it's not particularly memorable or impactful. It's a decent watch, but it's not a must-see.

Spoiler Alert!

Hover to reveal spoiler summary

The movie takes a dark turn when the lawyer's girlfriend gets kidnapped, and he's forced to make a choice between his love and his life.

Review Details

story7.00/10

The story is engaging and well-paced, but it's not particularly original or surprising. The plot twists are somewhat predictable, but the tension is maintained throughout.

acting7.00/10

The acting is solid, but it's not particularly impressive. Michael Fassbender is the standout performer, but even he's not particularly convincing in some scenes.

characters6.00/10

The characters are well-developed, but they're not particularly complex or memorable. The lawyer's character is the most interesting, but even he's not particularly likable.

direction7.00/10

Ridley Scott's direction is solid, but it's not particularly innovative or stylish. The cinematography is good, but it's not particularly noteworthy.

cinematography6.00/10

The cinematography is good, but it's not particularly memorable or impactful. The lighting and color palette are decent, but they're not particularly noteworthy.

Pros and Cons

Pros

The movie has a gripping plot, solid direction, and good acting. The cinematography is also decent.

Cons

The characters are not particularly complex or memorable, and the story is somewhat predictable. The movie also suffers from pacing issues and some awkward dialogue.

Notable Quotes

"I'm not a participant, I'm a lawyer."
"You're a counselor, not a lawyer."
"You're a counselor, not a participant."

Similar Movies

Trailer