Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Brutal
- gritty
- tense
- propulsive
- action movie night
- late night thriller viewing
What critics said
Critics generally found the familiar action premise effective because of Mel Gibson’s energetic, persuasive performance and the film’s gritty throwback appeal.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
John Link’s central motivation is saving his estranged teenage daughter Lydia while reclaiming his role as her father.
John’s former-convict history, tattoo work, and connections help him navigate cartel pursuit and dangerous alliances.
The film is structured as a compact, violent pursuit story with a scrappy exploitation-film sensibility and self-aware comic timing.
The story moves through dusty outskirts of Los Angeles, trailer-park spaces, and an inhospitable city while John and Lydia remain on the run.
Films like Blood Father, and why
Taken
shared ex-con redemption, father daughter bond, and hard-edged pursuit thriller framework
The Equalizer
shared grizzled older protector, criminal underworld danger, and propulsive action-thriller tone
Logan
shared roadside fugitive narrative, family loyalty, and gritty desert action
Movie Details
- Director
- Jean-François Richet
- Release Date
- 2016-08-11
- Runtime
- 88 min
- Rating
- 6.2 / 10 (1711)
Cast
- Mel Gibson
- Erin Moriarty
- William H. Macy
- Michael Parks
- Thomas Mann
- Diego Luna
- Dale Dickey
- Miguel Sandoval
- Lori Dillen
- Richard Cabral
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Cinemax Amazon Channel, Cinemax Apple TV channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Blood Father about?
- A newly sober ex-con must become his estranged teenage daughter’s fiercest protector when a Mexican cartel hunts her across the dusty outskirts of Los Angeles.
- What is Blood Father like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Blood Father as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Blood Father violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Blood Father as brutal.
- What did critics think of Blood Father?
- Critics generally found the familiar action premise effective because of Mel Gibson’s energetic, persuasive performance and the film’s gritty throwback appeal.
- Which films are like Blood Father?
- Films with a similar feel include Taken, The Equalizer, and Logan.
- How long is Blood Father?
- Blood Father runs 88 minutes.
- Where can I watch Blood Father?
- In United States, Blood Father streams on Cinemax Amazon Channel, Cinemax Apple TV channel.
