Absolution (2024) || Even Our Heroes Can’t Outrun Age

It honestly breaks my heart watching my favorite Hollywood actor, Liam Neeson, grow old on screen. I mean, I grew up seeing him chase down bad guys with that calm, commanding voice that could freeze blood mid-flow. But in this film, the years finally catch up, it’s not just in the story, but in reality too. The film doesn’t try to hide it either. It leans into it, portraying him as a man whose strength is now tempered by time, whose fight scenes are slower but somehow carry more weight.

The film follows Neeson as Thug, a hitman diagnosed with a rare form of dementia, who tries to reconnect with the only family he has left, his daughter and grandson but his past life as a criminal catches up with him, threatening to disrupt the familial bond he aimed to achieve.

The premise alone sets the tone for something dark, heavy and deeply emotional. What unfolds in here is less of a high-octane action flick and more of a reflection on mortality, on guilt, and on what it means to face the end with both dignity and regret.

Now, don’t get me wrong, the action is still there. If you’re a fan, you’ll know you can’t have a Neeson film without a few chases, gunfire, and growling threats that will make you sit up straight for a while. But this time, the punches aren’t just physical, they’re also emotional. You can see it in his eyes, that quiet weariness that says more than words ever could. It’s haunting, in a beautiful, tragic sort of way.

The direction keeps things gritty and grounded, and while the pacing sometimes feels uneven, it actually mirrors the confusion of a man losing his grip on reality. What this film nails, though, is its emotional honesty. It doesn’t pretend Neeson is still the unstoppable force from the 2008 movie Taken; instead, it honors his evolution, a man battling time while also trying to make peace with his past.

By the time the credits rolled, I found myself just sitting there, staring into space. I didn’t zone out that way because the ending shocked me, but because it reminded me that even our heroes can’t outrun age. Watching Neeson grow old hurts a little, but it’s also humbling. It’s proof that his legacy isn’t merely about power and precision but it’s more of heart.
Rating: 8/10

If you’re a fan of Liam Neeson, one who appreciates depth over chaos and anyone who wants to see an action film that doubles as a meditation on aging, memory, and redemption, I would recommend this but if it’s the opposite for you, then you know what to do.

Have a good one🌸