Homefront (2013 film)

Homefront

Company type	Film
Industry	Motion picture
Founded	2013 (2013)
Founder	Sylvester Stallone (screenplay, producer)
Key people	Gary Fleder (director), Sylvester Stallone (screenplay, producer), Kevin King Templeton (producer), John Thompson (producer)
Products	Homefront (film)

Homefront is a 2013 American action thriller helmed by director Gary Fleder with a screenplay penned by Sylvester Stallone, who also took on producing duties alongside Kevin King Templeton and John Thompson. Adapted from Chuck Logan's novel, the movie features performances by Jason Statham, James Franco, Winona Ryder, and Kate Bosworth. The story centers on Phil Broker, a former Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent, whose peaceful existence with his daughter Maddy is disrupted after they become involved with the criminal Gator Bodine following an incident of bullying at school.

Principal photography commenced on October 1, 2012, in New Orleans, Louisiana. The film was released on November 27, 2013.

Plot

Phil Broker, a DEA operative, leads an operation against a methamphetamine lab run by biker gang leader Danny "T" Turrie, resulting in Danny T's capture and the death of his son Jojo. Following these events, Broker retires and relocates to Rayville, Louisiana with his daughter Maddy. When Maddy stands up to a school bully named Teddy Klum, tensions rise as Teddy’s mother Cassie instigates a confrontation with Broker. Cassie's brother, Morgan "Gator" Bodine—a methamphetamine kingpin—aims to intimidate Broker.

Gator retaliates by vandalizing Broker’s property and uncovering his DEA background connected to Danny T’s arrest. Collaborating with Danny T’s biker club, Gator and his girlfriend Sheryl orchestrate attacks against Broker. Attempting to defuse the situation, Broker has Maddy invite Teddy to her birthday party; however, violence breaks out when Gator’s associates assault Broker. After enduring torture, Broker manages to escape captivity and rescues Maddy’s cat, Luther.

Later, during an armed confrontation involving Cyrus Hanks and Sheryl, Sheryl abducts Maddy. Broker tracks them to Gator’s meth lab where Cassie confronts Gator but inadvertently triggers traps that ignite an explosion. Amid the chaos, Cassie is shot; Gator flees with Maddy but is eventually apprehended by Broker. Choosing not to kill Gator at his daughter’s urging, Broker ensures that both Gator and Sheryl are taken into custody. The film concludes with Broker visiting Danny T in prison, hinting at continued vigilance following Danny T’s eventual release.

Production

The screenplay for Homefront was crafted by Sylvester Stallone based on the novel by Chuck Logan. Initially intended for Stallone himself to portray Phil Broker, he opted instead to produce the film and cast Jason Statham as the lead. Early in development, the script was conceived as a potential Rambo sequel but was shelved for approximately ten years.

Box office

Homefront generated $20.2 million domestically and $31.5 million internationally, accumulating a global total of $51.7 million against its $22 million production budget. It opened at number five in the United States box office rankings and maintained a position within the top ten throughout its first three weekends.

Critical response

Audiences polled by CinemaScore assigned the film a "B" grade.

Scott Foundas of Variety commends Statham for his dependable performance but critiques director Gary Fleder for disorganized action sequences. He identifies Kate Bosworth’s portrayal as the film’s highlight while regarding James Franco’s role as its most significant letdown. Foundas characterizes Homefront as "surprisingly joyless" and "less than the sum of its parts."