The Grey (2012)

79% of critics liked it
(177 reviews)
67% of users liked it
(53,603 ratings)

In The Grey, Liam Neeson leads an unruly group of oil-rig roughnecks when their plane crashes into the remote Alaskan wilderness. Battling mortal injuries and merciless weather, the survivors have only a few days to escape the icy elements - and a vicious pack of rogue wolves on the hunt - before… More In The Grey, Liam Neeson leads an unruly group of oil-rig roughnecks when their plane crashes into the remote Alaskan wilderness. Battling mortal injuries and merciless weather, the survivors have only a few days to escape the icy elements - and a vicious pack of rogue wolves on the hunt - before their time runs out. -- (C) Open Road Films

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 18 min.
Directed By: Joe Carnahan
Written By: Joe Carnahan
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure

In Theaters: Jan 27, 2012 Wide
On DVD: May 15, 2012
Studio: Open Road Films

Critic Reviews

Roger Moore, McClatchy-Tribune News Service
I couldn't decide if they lost track of the wolves in the editing, or if Carnahan realized how Twilight-fake the beasts looked and limited their scenes in the final edit.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
The Grey is about raging against the dying of the light but also about accepting it with peace once the fight has been lost.
Laremy Legel, Film.com
Three-fifths of a solid film!
David Edelstein, New York Magazine
The Grey, despite moments of sublimity, is as predictable as a funeral. When Ottway angrily calls out to God, the nonanswer is sadly redundant.
Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger
Somewhere along the line, apparently, it was decided that having men fight for their lives is not enough to hang a movie on. It has to be a movie about Big Ideas.
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
Hold on tight. It's a true call of the wild.
R. L. Shaffer, IGN DVD
The Grey is a powerful drama, a chilling tale of horror, and an uplifting, emotionally raw look at the nature of man and spiritually.
Jaime N. Christley, Slant Magazine
A soothing lullaby for alpha-male viewers and survival buffs, Joe Carnahan's The Grey arrives in a tip-top Blu-ray from Universal-a form that's likely to extend its life indefinitely, as a manly man, scotch-sipping midnight movie.
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
I can't say I was sorry it was over. But it also has the stark purity of an icicle; it earns my respect if not my love.
Blake Howard, 2UE That Movie Show
I went into the fray and rode this intense, emotional ride with the characters. The Grey is hypnotic, terrifying, affective, poetic, and the best film that I've seen this year.
Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope
This movie starts off with the main character putting a gun to his head, having decided his life has no meaning or purpose. After that, the story starts getting depressing.
Bruce Bennett, Spectrum (St. George, Utah)
A gripping, survivalist drama with more humanity than expected.
Brian Henry Martin, UTV
He will be 60 this year but instead of slowing down, Liam Neeson is speeding up, as he has become the most bankable action hero in the world. His latest ice-cold thriller, The Grey, is currently the number one movie at the US box office.
Cameron Williams, The Popcorn Junkie
a wild ride and will answer the question of how long you can hold your breath, and then quickly knock it out of you. Cinema seats will be torn apart, popcorn will fly and there might even be a few tears
CJ Johnson, ABC Radio (Australia)
The Grey features some astonishing sequences, spectacular cinematography, excellent performances and heartfelt ruminations on mortality, faith, masculinity, hope, family and existence. It also has really really cool wolves.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
Joe Carnahan's best film since Narc...
Matthew Pejkovic, Matt's Movie Reviews
This is a surprise of a film: spiritual, frightening, heartfelt, and thrilling. Exactly the opposite of what the "Liam Neeson punching wolves" trailer implied.
Andrew L. Urban, Urban Cinefile
There are echoes of John Boorman's iconic survival drama Deliverance (1972) as the men come to realise that nature has no pity, no feelings. The way the men interact is part of the drama, as hotheads and fools are revealed beneath the macho masks
Louise Keller, Urban Cinefile
Liam Neeson's powerful presence is the central focus of the story; he is our compass as we experience the terror, the isolation, the conflict, the hope and the many obstacles to survival - both physical and mental
Simon Miraudo, Quickflix
The Grey is the first movie to cast Liam Neeson appropriately since his ascent to pop icon status. Here, as the last man standing against the viciousness of nature, he is the pure, distilled essence of man.

Read all 24 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Mike S

Frosty survival thriller, with a superb Liam Neeson! Very reminiscent of the movie "Alive", except here they don't resort to munching on the second pilot. Set in the harsh landscapes of the Alaskan wilderness, we follow a group of plane crash survivors, as they struggle… More
Frosty survival thriller, with a superb Liam Neeson! Very reminiscent of the movie "Alive", except here they don't resort to munching on the second pilot. Set in the harsh landscapes of the Alaskan wilderness, we follow a group of plane crash survivors, as they struggle against the elements and unforgiving weather conditions - which is only worsened later on when a pack of wolves pick up their scent and go on the prowl to hunt them down. You can always count on Neeson to fight to the last breath though (he is, after all, the guy who trained both Batman and Obi-Wan Kenobi). His fully-fledged performance as oil driller John Ottway, makes the "The Grey" anything but dull and dramatically colorless. In terms of negatives, however, there were a few things that kept the film from greatness. One is the anti-climactic ending, which wrapped things up in a rather disappointing fashion. There was also a repeated sensation of déjà vu, as it follows all the typical clichés of other man vs. nature films. A re-hash without much originality. Regardless of this though, it remains a tight, suspenseful and skillfully directed action-drama, that keeps you at the edge of your seat for its entire duration. And if you didn't before appreciate the luxuries of a warm, cozy bed, I can personally guarantee that you will after this.
Mark H

The Grey isn't a bad picture, but it isn't a great one either. There's really nothing in it that pushes this past an entertaining diversion of the man vs. nature variety. We have an aircraft that bites the dust in a desolate area with a gang of oilmen aboard. It's… More
The Grey isn't a bad picture, but it isn't a great one either. There's really nothing in it that pushes this past an entertaining diversion of the man vs. nature variety. We have an aircraft that bites the dust in a desolate area with a gang of oilmen aboard. It's up to the survivors to maintain order and survive in grueling conditions of nature. A film should be judged on its own merits but comparisons here are unavoidable. I kept thinking of other movies while watching this: Deliverance, Never Cry Wolf, The Edge, Into the Wild. 1965?s The Flight of the Phoenix with James Stewart had the same basic setup. But where that classic took the narrative in a wholly original direction, The Grey is content to depict a tale that is decidedly less inventive. Any production that recalls earlier efforts, should strive to be better. Where The Grey succeeds, is the care it takes to develop realistic people. It's barely an action film. Call it a character study. It exhibits remarkable humanity. At one point faithful John curses God out of frustration. His "Oh why God, why?!" moment is kind of a novelty in an adventure of this sort. These days, I suppose any flick that tries to balance drama with action is something of a anomaly. I'll give The Grey points for that....oh and a plane crash that will make me think twice the next time I board a plane.
Crash E

I've enjoyed this tense thriller drama, it's made nerves through many scenes, but I little bit annoyed by the way the movie ends, I think they could find a better one.
Pedro H

Live or Die on This Day Grey Honestly I am a huge fan of wolfs, of Liam Neeson, and of survival movies. However there was something missing in The Grey. It still is a strong film, done in an interesting style, but there is just something missing… More
Live or Die on This Day Grey Honestly I am a huge fan of wolfs, of Liam Neeson, and of survival movies. However there was something missing in The Grey. It still is a strong film, done in an interesting style, but there is just something missing that holds it back from being incredible. The Grey is a dynamic film. It tells the story of a group of oil-rig ex cons that are victims of a plane crash. The ones who survive, wake up in the middle of the Alaskan snow storm, and not only do they have to survive the cold, they have to fight the wolfs that ground the area. I think the major flaw of The Grey lies in its repetitiveness. The movie lasts almost two hours but I am sure it could have worked with a one hour range. I think that is the major problem that this movie has. Because either than that the movie is great. It has a beautiful score, awesome acting, and innovative and experimental shots that make the movie aesthetically original. Joe Carnahan did an excellent job in terms of originality. This isn't your typical Jurassic Park survivor movie. Carnahan maintains a almost grey, for a lack of better work, aspect to the movie. He takes his time, which could be a flaw, but in some scenes are necessary, to really highlight the struggle of the survivors. He uses long one-shot scenes and the movie is far from any blockbuster film. For this reason I really like it. The Grey turned out to be a good film. It is original, the make up is excellent, and so is the score and acting. Carnahan does an incredible job in being innovative. Nevertheless there is a something missing in it, and I think you will only be able to see it once you watch it. So go ahead. Ottway's Wife: " Don't be afraid. "
Manu G

Live or Die on This Day Good movie! The movie was good and interesting but left me wanting for more, I very much enjoyed it but didn't like the ending at all. Watch Liam Neeson as an unlikely hero who is forced to lead a group of roughneck guys in their fight to survive and… More
Live or Die on This Day Good movie! The movie was good and interesting but left me wanting for more, I very much enjoyed it but didn't like the ending at all. Watch Liam Neeson as an unlikely hero who is forced to lead a group of roughneck guys in their fight to survive and return home when their plane crashes into the remote Alaskan wilderness. Battling injuries and merciless weather, the men must escape the icy elements and a vicious pack of rogue wolves on the hunt before their time runs out.
Directors C

Never have I been drawn into the environments of a film like The Grey in a long time. I was expecting a forgetable survival thriller but what I was given was a whole lot more. The Grey is skilfully directed and mixes dumb but genuine thrills with debatable philosophy. It's also… More
Never have I been drawn into the environments of a film like The Grey in a long time. I was expecting a forgetable survival thriller but what I was given was a whole lot more. The Grey is skilfully directed and mixes dumb but genuine thrills with debatable philosophy. It's also quite psychological and I absolutely adored the character development. It's quite unexpected in everything it does and that's what pulls it from it's B movie tones and turns it top quality. Some people (like the person I went with) might not appreciate it's depth and study like I did but it's solid, scary and emotionally tragic all at the same time. Dont be put off, it may have a cheesy title and a ludicrous plot but guess what? In it's own enigmatic way, it's absolutely terrifying.
Carlos M

This is a thrilling movie that really knows how to extract tension from extreme situations - though some moments seem a bit illogical, like the jolly barbecue in the woods. An intense story about man facing nature and fear, with a stunning cinematography and strong performances.
Thomas B

Moving, emotional and incredibly intense. Full review later.
Phil H

Rollicking adventure that feels like its for gruff hikers only as Neeson battles his way across the frozen wastes of the Alaskan wilderness with a motley bunch of blue collar Joe's fighting off savage wild wolves in a battle for survival where only the strongest will live another… More
Rollicking adventure that feels like its for gruff hikers only as Neeson battles his way across the frozen wastes of the Alaskan wilderness with a motley bunch of blue collar Joe's fighting off savage wild wolves in a battle for survival where only the strongest will live another day and the weak get eaten...phew! Bottom line, the film is good, very well made, great cast and performances plus it looks amazing filmed in Alaska...but at the end of the day its pretty much your common 'creatures take group down one by one till last man standing'. Not that this is a particular problem but like you have the saying 'its Die Hard on boat/train/oil rig' etc...here you have the saying 'its man v snakes/piranhas/alligators/sharks' etc...this time its wolves, basically a creature feature but a very realistic sensible one. You do sense the Scott brothers influence throughout the film with its grand vistas, hard edge tension, detail and of course the small ragtag group of grunts that must battle against the odds. There isn't really much you can moan about with the film accept one thing, and that's the really quite incorrect negative perception the Grey Wolf gets in the film. I'm no expert but I do know that wolves will not really act as savagely as they are portrayed in this film and for me this does knock the realism somewhat. The chances of a wolf pack actually doing what they do in this film is pretty low to be honest, they may try to kill or attack a wounded human or a human on his own but I'm pretty sure they wouldn't stalk a group down and take them out one by one. Unfortunately like other films that have the same man vs creature theme it does tend to give the creature in question bad publicity which isn't deserved. Personally I think the Oscar talk is a bit over the top, its a great atmospheric film which certainly makes you feel the chill and does have you caring about the groups situation which, in turn, really emphasizes how fragile life is. But while its realistic on one level its not very realistic on another (the wolf behaviour and the cliff jumping scene) and that just lets it down in my eyes. I kept thinking I was watching a horror film about snow werewolves most of the time but it is a deep enjoyable wilderness thriller.
c0up

'The Grey'. BRUTAL, intense, and some of the best natural imagery I've seen. A fantastic, God-questioning survival thriller. The harsh, Arctic landscape is brought wonderfully to life with some stunning cinematography and sound design. Watching the survivors plod… More
'The Grey'. BRUTAL, intense, and some of the best natural imagery I've seen. A fantastic, God-questioning survival thriller. The harsh, Arctic landscape is brought wonderfully to life with some stunning cinematography and sound design. Watching the survivors plod through the snow while their feet sink, against the absolutely unforgiving, all encompassing wind was a beautiful sight to see and hear. Then there's that plane crash. Wow. Again, brutal destruction and had me in awe as much as that train crash in 'Super 8', but a hell of a lot more intense. God, death and the afterlife are all talked about extensively, and it never comes across as contrived. If you're put in the situation these men have faced, it's only natural, and I loved the direction the ending went in, after Neeson's cry for help. If anything, the acceptance of death was what this film was all about. Liam Neeson is channeling some serious hurt, and when you consider what he's been through personally, I'm sure he brought some of that pain to this role. It's a whole lot more than Liam Neeson vs Wolves, people!
Tired of P

courtesy of creative commons Question: Does anyone know why Liam's Neeson's latest movie is called The Grey? I recently saw The Grey and usually I write my reviews on the same day or relatively close to the viewing. However, this film, although excellent, is a hard one… More
courtesy of creative commons Question: Does anyone know why Liam's Neeson's latest movie is called The Grey? I recently saw The Grey and usually I write my reviews on the same day or relatively close to the viewing. However, this film, although excellent, is a hard one to write about. Why? Well, I ask the first question above. There is no mention on the color grey in the movie so there is not an immediate reason on why it's called that. So I have a theory that took me a while to construct in my mind. Indulge me for a moment... The film starts out with Liam Neeson's character writing a letter. His words are softly spoken in his native Irish accent. There is a deep emotional tone to the letter that drew me right into the story. Who the letter is to exactly is unclear, but it is obviously to someone he loves dearly. (I read later that the director asked Liam Neeson to write the letter in real life - use his own words to tell how much he loved his real life wife - the late Natasha Richardson). There is a longing and sadness connected to his words but yet still no mention of the color grey. I really thought I was about to see just a wilderness survival story according to the previews but The Grey, as I found out very quickly, had a profoundly different message. There are two things certain in this world: You are born and you die. That is it! Everything in between is really a toss-up. Life and death are the only black and white things in this world; and since I studied a lot of color theory being an interior designer for two decades, color or the lack of color takes on deep meaning to me. You are born pure and innocent. As you age, the innocence becomes muddied with life experiences. Is that a bad thing? Well, it depends on how you live your life, I suppose. Everything then fades to black when life ends. I guess you could connect evil and good to black and white but that is not what I found to be hidden in the film. The Grey represents life when you are faced with death and surviving is all that matters. Well, I should tell you a bit more about the film. After the letter is written we find out the story takes place in Alaska with oil-drillers and their exit out. A band of rough-around-the-edges crew all board a plane but there is a crash and the survivors are faced with the task of surviving the cold, injuries and a pack of wolves that have no fear of humans. Some of the story was predictable - the group of men that survived had to figure out who was the leader (alpha) and who should follow him (omega). Just like the pack of wolves that surround these men, in the hierarchy in any group someone steps forward to lead and some always fight or disagree because they do not want to be led. Animals and humans are very similar and The Grey equates the two species just trying to survive, mentally and physically. Yes, the movie had some extreme violence, strong emotional moments and harrowing details that make you squirm. I had my hands over my eyes a few times, and felt the hair on the back of my neck stand up, but when the movie comes to the conclusion I was left emotionally drained. Not so much with the blood and guts of the film but the meaning of this film that was conveyed. The Grey is NOT a typical Hollywood film and you must keep your heart open to obtain the message. Liam Neeson was fantastic in The Grey - maybe his best acting to date. Yes, I mean it. When you watch this film, pay close attention to the opening letter and keep it in the back of your mind throughout the film. As I already mentioned, this movie was not just a plane crash/survival story but a human struggle fable. Based on the short story, "Ghost Walker" by Ian MacKenzie Jeffers, who also co-wrote the screenplay with the director. Last point: I loved the ending. With some of my research I discovered many did not, but for someone who sees a lot of films I felt this was the appropriate way to end the story. Well done. My favorite part: Liam Neeson. My lease favorite part: Not sure I can pinpoint anything. Directed by Joe Carnahan, 1984 Private Defense Contractors, 2012 Starring: Liam Neeson, Dermot Mulroney, Frank Grillo, Dallas Roberts, Nonso Anozie, and Joe Anderson. Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama Rating: R Length: 117 minutes Review: 8 out of 10 First published on www.expatspost.com
Raymond W

The Grey is an unusually philosophical and surprisingly moving film about survival in the wilderness. It's got really great characters that the filmmakers have really taken time to fill out/give weight to. The wolves are done really well, it's exciting, there is a lot of… More
The Grey is an unusually philosophical and surprisingly moving film about survival in the wilderness. It's got really great characters that the filmmakers have really taken time to fill out/give weight to. The wolves are done really well, it's exciting, there is a lot of suspense, stunning cinematography and a great score by Marc Streitenfeld.
Lenny M

I was kind of disappointed, I had high expectations for some reason, the trailer was amazing. Similar to a lot of movies, the trailer made it seem like Liam Neeson was going to take on a pack of wolves and just simply own them. He was going to take his certain set of… More
I was kind of disappointed, I had high expectations for some reason, the trailer was amazing. Similar to a lot of movies, the trailer made it seem like Liam Neeson was going to take on a pack of wolves and just simply own them. He was going to take his certain set of "skeels" from Taken and apply them in the wild. It was more like "The Edge" but with a less sophisticated script. Liam was great but he had no support, it would have been better if it were just him trying to survive in more of a Tom Hanks situation. I need to watch the film again because my judgement was sort of clouded due to feeling mislead by the trailer. In the movie, they made the wolves look like mythological beasts, not wolves. What a crotchety ending, leaves you with blue rocket balls.
Lorenzo v

"Once more into the fray. Into the last good fight I'll ever know. Live and die on this day. Live and die on this day." In Alaska, an oil drilling team struggle to survive after a plane crash strands them in the wild. Hunting the humans are a pack of… More
"Once more into the fray. Into the last good fight I'll ever know. Live and die on this day. Live and die on this day." In Alaska, an oil drilling team struggle to survive after a plane crash strands them in the wild. Hunting the humans are a pack of wolves who see them as intruders. <center>REVIEW</center> "The Grey" is amazing. Not necessarily for what you would think. In "The Grey" Alaskan oil workers survive a horrendous airplane crash on route to Anchorage. They are hunted down by ferocious Grey wolves. According to Liam Neeson's Ottway the Greys' territory covers 300 miles, and the den's kill radius is 30 miles. They are on their turf. Director and Writer Joe Carnahan's vision is stark and emotionally haunting. Neeson plays Ottway, who is an expert marksman who kills wolves threatening Alaskan oil pipeline workers. Neeson embodies a sad gravitas in Ottway. "The Grey" is about how each of us faces death. "The Grey" is poignantly profound and sublime. Carnahan and Ian MacKenzie Jeffers's screenplay based on Jeffers's short story "Ghost Walker" is surprising in narrative and catharsis. Director Carnahan creates the existential arctic wasteland and the paradox of man as prey. Masanobu Takayanagi's cinematography is haunting-seeing the wolves' eyes glowing against the darkness and snow is terrifying and stunning. There is a visceral sense of danger in the icy air that fuels "The Grey". Ottway leads the group to the forest ridge line as a means to their salvation. Liam Neeson is awesome. "The Grey" is powerful, because of him. As Ottway, he is a compassionate broken hero journeying through redemption. Neeson is so convincing as a man taking action in the face of his own grave fear. Neeson has an amazing scene where Ottway, recalls the poem of his drunk and abusive father, "Into the fray... Live and die on this day." Neeson captures the conflicting toil of a man, who had little to live for now fighting to survive and protect the lives of others. He is powerful. In context this is somberly poetic; "The Grey" is about how each of us reconciles death. T.S. Eliot wrote: "This is the way the world ends. Not with a bang, but a whimper." With inspired contrast Neeson and Carnahan in "The Grey" the hero never folds and fights on. "The Grey" is provocative and subtly profound.
Al S

A wickedly pulse-pounding and wild ride from start to finish. An instant classic. A fresh, furious and tremendously original piece of action film. An adrenaline-charged action-packed edge of your seat thriller that will knock you out. A powerful and outstanding film. It`s gritty,… More
A wickedly pulse-pounding and wild ride from start to finish. An instant classic. A fresh, furious and tremendously original piece of action film. An adrenaline-charged action-packed edge of your seat thriller that will knock you out. A powerful and outstanding film. It`s gritty, authentic and feels really real with its characters and atmosphere. This movie kicks all sorts of ass and keeps your heart-pounding. A bone-chilling and exhilerating thrill-machine that never lets up. It`s loaded with non-stop action and searing suspense. The action is fresh and shocking and the character development is superb. An incrediable, surprisingly moving and unforgettable movie. Director, Joe Carnahan crafts a rich, stylish, thrilling and brilliant new breed of adventure and his best film since Narc. Liam Neeson gives a raw, intense and electrifying performance. Neeson never ceases to amaze with his acting and shows he will never back down from a challenge. Dermot Mulroney, Dallas Roberts and Frank Grillo give strong and great performances. An action film that can not be stopped and is packed with power.
paul o

Its pretty much Taken with wolves. Surprisingly, theres a lot of symbolism and human reflection which adds a lot more depth than your typical survival action flick. If you love great effects and Liam Neeson, then this is a classic!
Adriel L

It is a powerful as poetry. What is an otherwise bland, cliche plot is heightened to a state of thrills and surprising depth. By and by, minute by minute, the flesh and bone of the characters are exposed of their contents: complex, deep, and truthful, sometimes frightening and at best… More
It is a powerful as poetry. What is an otherwise bland, cliche plot is heightened to a state of thrills and surprising depth. By and by, minute by minute, the flesh and bone of the characters are exposed of their contents: complex, deep, and truthful, sometimes frightening and at best times poignant. The artistry weaved like a poem through and through a cascade of climactic thrill moments to melodramatic, emotional clarity and spiritual drama.
Jason C

Recently, Liam Neeson has carved out quite the niche for himself as a reliable leading man in action movies. Granted, "Taken", "The A-Team", and "Unknown" are far from classics, each of the films have more than enough entertainment value. The best of… More
Recently, Liam Neeson has carved out quite the niche for himself as a reliable leading man in action movies. Granted, "Taken", "The A-Team", and "Unknown" are far from classics, each of the films have more than enough entertainment value. The best of Neeson's action movies, to this point, is "The Grey". "The Grey" is a tale of survival. There are no "bad guys", the antagonists are poor luck, cruel Alaskan elements, and of course, a menacing pack of wolves. There's a reason to care about each of the character's survival, even if it's the result of overly sentimental bonding. The main complaint I've come across about the film is the ending. Those who criticize the finale are wrong, it's perfect. Ultimately, "The Grey", is unconventional and a worthwhile experience.
Wildaly M

I've always liked Liam Neeson in his films and he doesn't disappoint in this film. Good solid plot and while the ending may not be the most satisfying, the process getting there is certainly heart-wrenching.
Cory T

'The Edge' was a compelling survivalist tale but it contained scenes of absurd ingenuity that occasionally detracted from it. Carnahan strips down his somber struggle to stave off death by both augmenting the testosterone elements and lathering on the self-serious… More
'The Edge' was a compelling survivalist tale but it contained scenes of absurd ingenuity that occasionally detracted from it. Carnahan strips down his somber struggle to stave off death by both augmenting the testosterone elements and lathering on the self-serious existentialism. Although it does possess cliches of a creature feature with the group systematically being eviscerated by the wolves, 'The Grey rises above the detritus with unrelenting man-vs-nature soul-searching. Carnahan demonstrates his beautiful lyricism with a harrowing scene where Neeson is like a ferryman on the River Styx by guiding a bleeding man to his death with distracting questions such as "who do you love?". Neeson is not a cockamamie superhuman in the elegaic 'The Grey', he is a leader who is not foolish enough to show fear.