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The Condemned
The Condemned
The Condemned
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The Condemned
Theatrical release poster
Directed byScott Wiper
Screenplay by
Story by
Produced byJoel Simon
Starring
CinematographyRoss Emery
Edited byDerek Brechin
Music byGraeme Revell
Production
companies
  • WWE Films
  • Colossal Entertainment
  • New Wave Entertainment
Distributed byLionsgate
Release date
  • April 27, 2007 (2007-04-27) (United States)
Running time
113 minutes
Countries
  • United States
  • Australia
LanguageEnglish
Budget$20 million
Box office$8.6 million[1]

The Condemned is a 2007 action film written and directed by Scott Wiper. The film stars Steve Austin, Vinnie Jones, Robert Mammone, Tory Mussett, Madeleine West and Rick Hoffman.

The film centers on ten convicts who are forced to fight each other to the death as part of an illegal game which is being broadcast to the public. The Condemned was filmed in Queensland, Australia.[2] Fight choreography was coordinated by Richard Norton, who also stunt doubles for Jones on some scenes. A sequel titled The Condemned 2 starring Randy Orton was released in 2015.

The film was produced by WWE Films and distributed by Lionsgate on April 27, 2007.

Plot

[edit]

Jack Conrad awaits execution in a corrupt Salvadoran prison. He is "purchased" by a wealthy television producer and transported to a deserted island in the South Pacific along with nine other condemned criminals from prisons around the world. They are "offered" the opportunity to avoid capital punishment and win back their freedom with a pocket full of cash by fighting to the death in an illegal game to be filmed and broadcast live over the Internet.

A bomb is placed on the ankle of every contestant, each featuring a 30-hour countdown timer, a failsafe mechanism that will set off the device, a tracking device, and a pin (similar to a grenade) that will detonate the bomb after a ten-second delay. The winner will have the bomb removed and be given their freedom as well as a pocket full of cash as the prize. Ian Breckel, the TV show's creator and showrunner, is aiming for online ratings that equal or beat the latest Super Bowl reception of 40 million television viewers.

As the broadcast progresses, FBI agents discover Conrad's real identity as Jack Riley after a tip from one of Conrad's former classmates. Conrad is discovered to be a former Delta Force operative who was captured on a Black ops mission to El Salvador after bombing a building controlled by drug dealers. Conrad's girlfriend Sarah becomes aware of the situation and watches the show at the local bar she works at as it unfolds.

As the contestants were dropped off on the island, there was a mishap where Italian contestant Dominic Giangrasso fell on a dilapidated pier and died after being impaled by one of the beams. Ewan McStarley and Saiga team up to remove the competition, while Yasantwa uses her wiles to trick Bruggerman and Mackie to their death. Conrad manages to kill Raudsep and teams up with Paco, who was desperate to find his wife. After reuniting with Rosa, Paco is severely injured by McStarley and Saiga and is forced to watch them rape and kill Rosa. Conrad manages to pull Paco away and after seeing the show's broadcast tower before the show, Conrad infiltrates the tower and calls Sarah, managing to tell her the latitude of the island before he is chased off by Baxter, Breck's head security guy.

McStarley and Saiga discover and kill Paco, then set him ablaze. Breck's girlfriend, Julie, and his head production guy, Goldman, begin to express disdain over the show. Yasantwa, discovered by McStarley and Saiga, is wounded as she sets off her own explosive inside a Japanese WW2 bunker, killing her. After seven contestants have already died, Conrad is left alone against McStarley and Saiga. He stabs Saiga, and McStarley flees. Eventually, a helicopter drops a shotgun down to McStarley, who uses it to hunt down Conrad. After Conrad falls into a stream, McStarley runs into the cameraman and his armed guard dressed in ghillie suits while searching for Conrad, and kills them, picking up the guard's MP5 submachine gun.

When McStarley and Conrad meet again, Conrad ends up rolling over a cliff and into a stream to avoid being shot by McStarley's shotgun. Conrad is presumed dead by the fall, and McStarley is declared the winner. As McStarley is being driven to the control tower to collect his prize, Breckel hears that the FBI has sent SEALs to take him into custody. Goldman catches wind of it and threatens to blow the whistle, and Breck has Baxter kill him. After he meets McStarley and de-activates his bomb, he reneges on the cash prize off while revealing that Breckel has fixed the game in McStarley's favor. Conrad is then discovered by Breck and Baxter and Conrad kills Baxter as Breck flees. McStarley takes an MP5 from one of the guards, and kills the tech team in the building, one by one, despite not knowing that Breckel was abandoning them all. When he corners Julie, Breckel's girlfriend, he is confronted by Conrad, who shot him to death after Ewan talks briefly about his past in the military and how he was repeatedly raped whilst serving time in an African prison. Conrad grabs McStarleys' two MP5s and chases down Breckel, who is fleeing the island in a helicopter. After emptying the two guns firing at the helicopter, he is given McStarley's re-activated ankle bomb by Julie. Conrad throws it into the helicopter, and Breckel reaches for it; however, the helicopter explodes, and crashes into a cliff, killing Breckel and bringing his vicious game to an end. Conrad then deactivates his own bomb.

Conrad is driven back to Sarah's home in Texas, a free man and reunited with her.

Cast

[edit]
  • Steve Austin as Jack Conrad / Jack Riley, a highly trained Delta Force operative and contestant
  • Vinnie Jones as Ewan McStarley, a psychopathic British mercenary and contestant
  • Manu Bennett as Paco Pacheco, a Mexican criminal and contestant with his wife, Rosa
  • Masa Yamaguchi as Go Saiga, the Japanese contestant
  • Emelia Burns as Yasantwa Adei, the Ghanaian contestant
  • Marcus Johnson as Kreston Mackie, an American drug dealer and contestant
  • Dasi Ruz as Rosa Pacheco, a Mexican criminal and contestant with her husband, Paco
  • Andy McPhee as Helmut Bruggerman, the German contestant
  • Rai Fazio as Dominic Giangrasso, the Italian contestant
  • Rick Hoffman as "Goldie" Goldman, Breck's head production crewman
  • Robert Mammone as Ian "Breck" Breckel, a rogue Hollywood producer running the Condemned
  • Tory Mussett as Julie, Breck's girlfriend and crew member
  • Sam Healy as Bella, a member of Breck's production crew
  • Madeleine West as Sarah Cavanaugh, Jack's girlfriend
  • Sullivan Stapleton as Brad Wilkins, a federal agent seeking to shut down Breck's illegal show
  • Luke Pegler as Baxter, Breck's head of security
  • Angie Milliken as Donna Sereno, a journalist who interviewed Breck about his snuff show
  • Christopher James Baker as Eddie C, a member of Breck's production crew
  • Neil Pigot as Wade Meranto, Wilkins' supervisor
  • Dominic Brancatisano as The Arab
  • Nathan Jones as Petr Raudsep, the Estonian contestant

Soundtrack

[edit]
The Condemned (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Soundtrack album by
Various artists
Released24 April 2007
GenreRock
Length54:53
LabelWWE Music Group

The Condemned (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) was released on April 24, 2007. It was composed by Graeme Revell. It is exclusively available on the iTunes Store.

No.TitleArtistLength
1."Opening Titles (Score)"Graeme Revell3:33
2."Black Betty"Spiderbait3:27
3."Hands of Time"Groove Armada4:22
4."Umbrella"Chymera7:23
5."This Colorful World"Eliot Morris4:45
6."You Say"Aya Peard5:01
7."Casino (Solid State Remix)"Tommi Eckhardt5:44
8."To Be Young (Is to Be Sad, Is to Be High)"Ryan Adams3:04
9."The Island and Conrad (Score)"Graeme Revell3:58
10."Souljacker, Pt. 1"Eels3:15
11."Over & Under"Egypt Central3:01
12."Unbreakable"Cage93:15
13."I Won't Do What You Tell Me (Josh Wink Remix)"Josh Wink3:55
Total length:54:53
Additional tracks

Other songs featured in the film, but not included on the soundtrack:

Release

[edit]

Critical response

[edit]

As of April, 2020, Rotten Tomatoes listed the film with a 16% rating, based on 99 reviews. The site's consensus stated: "The Condemned is a morally ambiguous, exceedingly violent and mostly forgettable action film."[3] As of April, 2020, Metacritic gave the film a score of 23 Out of 100, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".[4] Reviews of The Condemned included complaints of plot holes, overly preachy tone, lack of plot progression, hypocritical morals, poor fight choreography and one "fake" wrestler.

V.A. Musetto of the New York Post gave the film zero stars out of four, describing it as a "sickeningly violent and inane movie" and complaining that it is a bad rip-off of Battle Royale and The Most Dangerous Game.[5]

One of the few positive reviews came from Michael Booth of The Denver Post. He described the concept as "The Truman Show meets Con Air" and makes positive notes about the reality television aspects of the story, although he cautions readers not to expect "high art" based on the 3 star rating he gives the film.[6]

Box office

[edit]

The film debuted with a $3.8 million opening weekend in the US. The film lasted only 4 weeks in theaters and posted a big loss, closing with a total of $7,371,706.[7] The movie fared worse internationally, taking only $1,271,152 in limited foreign markets, for a total of $8,642,858.

Home media

[edit]

On September 18, 2007, The Condemned was released on DVD and Blu-ray. Opening at number four, The Condemned brought in $6.5 million in the first week. Overall, it has sold an estimated 1.185 million DVD units earning $22.7 million.[7] The DVD made its release in the United Kingdom on March 24, 2008, with a rating of 18 (Contains Strong Violence and Language). This was a straight to DVD release in the United Kingdom.

Sequel

[edit]

A sequel titled The Condemned 2 starring Randy Orton was released on November 6, 2015.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

The Condemned

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Condemned is a American action co-written and directed by Scott Wiper, starring former professional wrestler Steve Austin as Jack Conrad, a convicted criminal awaiting execution in a corrupt Central American who is purchased by a media mogul to compete in a deadly, online-streamed survival contest on a remote island. The plot centers on ten international death row inmates, including Conrad, who are transported to the isolated location and fitted with collars that detonate if they attempt to escape or after , forcing them to fight to the death in a twisted reality show where the sole survivor earns freedom and a cash prize, while the event is broadcast to a global audience of paying viewers. Key supporting cast includes as the ruthless convict Ewan McStarley, as the show's producer Ian Breckel, and as the journalist Sarah Cavanaugh, who uncovers the operation's dark secrets. Produced by in association with , the movie draws inspiration from real-world concerns about violent media and snuff films, featuring intense fight choreography and commentary on exploitation in entertainment. Released theatrically on , , The Condemned grossed approximately $7.3 million at the U.S. box office against a of $20 million, receiving mixed reviews from critics who praised its action sequences but criticized its formulaic script and moral messaging, evidenced by a 16% approval rating on based on 99 reviews. Despite the lukewarm critical reception, it has garnered a among enthusiasts and wrestling fans, with an audience score of 58% on the same platform, and spawned a sequel, , in 2015.

Production

Development

WWE Films initiated the development of The Condemned in early as part of its launch to expand beyond wrestling entertainment into scripted feature films, aiming to produce two to four movies annually with in-house financing. The project was announced on , , alongside two other initial films, The Marine and Goodnight, positioning The Condemned as an action vehicle for wrestler Steve Austin under his three-picture deal with the company. At the time of announcement, the story was credited to Rob Hedden and Andrew Hedden, focusing on a death-row inmate forced into a deadly reality show competition for freedom. The screenplay was subsequently developed by Scott Wiper and Rob Hedden, with Wiper also attached as director to emphasize an action-thriller tone critiquing exploitative reality television and media violence, drawing inspiration from survival competition narratives like those in Battle Royale. Production planning advanced quickly, with principal photography slated to begin in late summer 2005 under producer Joel Simon of Sidestreet/New Wave Entertainment and executive producers Vince McMahon and George Vrabeck. WWE Films allocated an initial budget of $20 million for the project, partnering with Lionsgate for distribution to leverage the studio's reach in the action genre. Casting calls were initiated shortly after script finalization to secure supporting roles alongside Austin's lead.

Pre-production

Pre-production for The Condemned focused on assembling the cast and crew, securing financing, and preparing locations ahead of . The film was positioned as WWE's third feature production, building on the company's expanding media ventures. Casting emphasized actors suited to the action-oriented narrative, with WWE Superstar Steve Austin selected for the lead role of Jack Conrad to capitalize on his established fanbase and physical presence from . was chosen as the primary antagonist Ewan McStarley, leveraging his reputation for portraying hardened, intimidating characters in films like Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. Supporting roles, including as producer Ian Breckel, rounded out the ensemble to provide narrative depth alongside the action leads. The production budget was set at approximately $20 million, with WWE funding the majority through its operational resources as a capitalized asset; expenditures were projected primarily over the eight months ending December 31, 2006, encompassing both production and initial distribution preparations. Key crew members were hired to handle technical aspects, including cinematographer Ross Emery, known for his work on high-energy action sequences in prior projects. Location preparations centered on Australia, selected for its diverse island terrains to depict the film's remote survival setting; initial planning targeted a start in spring 2006 following successful shoots there for WWE's earlier film The Marine. Principal photography commenced in May 2006 in Queensland.

Filming

Principal photography for The Condemned commenced on May 15, 2006 and continued through November, taking place primarily in , , with remote island sites near Fraser Island selected to capture the film's isolated, rugged environment for authenticity. The production encountered significant logistical challenges, including unpredictable weather patterns that disrupted outdoor shoots and interactions with local wildlife, such as and insects, which required careful management to protect the cast and crew. coordination proved particularly demanding, as the film's central fight scenes involved ten actors portraying the condemned contestants, necessitating precise to execute high-risk action sequences safely; Richard Norton served as the fight coordinator, also doubling for actor in several scenes. Set design emphasized practical construction, including the build-out of broadcast control rooms to represent the film's media production elements, while effects for the violence relied heavily on practical techniques—like high-pressure contraptions and simulated blood using food coloring mixtures— to achieve a raw, realistic impact with minimal use of CGI. Filming wrapped in late 2006, after which initial post-production focused on editing the footage down to the final 113-minute runtime, refining the pacing of the action-heavy narrative.

Cast and crew

Cast

The principal cast of The Condemned (2007) is led by Steve Austin, who portrays Jack Conrad, an ex-Delta Force operative turned convict thrust into a brutal , seeking personal redemption through his actions. Austin, a former professional wrestler with a prominent career, transitioned to acting with this film, leveraging his physicality and on-screen toughness for the lead role. Vinnie Jones plays Ewan McStarley, the cold-blooded enforcer who captures and monitors the condemned participants, embodying a archetype of unyielding authority and violence. Jones, a retired English footballer known for tough-guy roles in films like Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, brings his imposing presence to the antagonist. In supporting roles, Robert Mammone appears as Ian Breckel, the slick producer behind the illegal pay-per-view spectacle, representing corporate greed in the thriller's world. Rick Hoffman stars as Goldman (or "Goldy"), the flamboyant co-host who adds a layer of exploitative showmanship to the proceedings. Madeleine West portrays Sarah Cavanaugh, a determined journalist investigating the dark underbelly of the event, serving as a moral counterpoint. Tory Mussett plays Julie, Conrad's ally and romantic interest among the captives, highlighting vulnerability amid the chaos. The ensemble of international convicts draws from diverse backgrounds to populate the game's deadly roster, emphasizing global criminal archetypes for added realism and tension. Notable performers include as Paco Pacheco, a fierce Latino fighter; Dasi Ruz as Rosa, Paco's partner and fellow Mexican convict; as Saiga, a skilled assassin from ; Emelia Burns as Yasantwa, a resilient African participant; Marcus Johnson as Kreston Mackie, an aggressive Australian brawler; Nathan Jones as Petr Raudsep, an Estonian powerhouse; Andy McPhee as Helmut Bruggerman, the German convict; and Rai Fazio as the Italian Dominic Giangrasso. This casting choice incorporated actors from , , and beyond to reflect the convicts' varied international origins, enhancing the film's multicultural convict dynamic. Additional credited roles feature as Special Agent Wilkins, a pursuing figure; as Donna Sereno, a ; and Neil Pigot as Wade Meranto, a supervisor pursuing the operation. Minor parts include control room technicians (e.g., Jimmy Christiansen, Anthony Chan) and various guards and wardens from different countries, such as Lani John Tupu as the El Salvador Warden and as the Belarus Warden, further underscoring the production's global scope.

Crew

Scott Wiper directed The Condemned and co-wrote the with Rob Hedden and Andy Hedden, infusing the film with a vision for authentic, gritty action that minimized to prioritize realistic and elements. The production was overseen by producer Joel Simon, alongside executive producers including of , which shaped the adaptation by incorporating wrestling-inspired motifs of brutal competition and high-stakes elimination. Cinematographer Ross Emery handled the film's photography, capturing the stark tropical settings filmed in , , to evoke isolation and peril. Editor Derek Brechin assembled the footage, focusing on tight pacing to heighten the intensity of the fight sequences. Production designer Graham "Grace" Walker constructed the environments to convey the realism of a remote, unforgiving outpost. The physical action was coordinated by the stunt team, including stunt coordinators such as Glenn Ruehland, overseeing the raw, hand-to-hand confrontations central to the film's thriller dynamics. Anna Borghesi outfitted the characters in practical, weathered gear that underscored the survivalist action genre.

Synopsis and themes

Plot summary

Jack Conrad, a death-row inmate in a corrupt Central American prison, is purchased by wealthy Ian Breckel and transported to a remote in the South Pacific along with nine other international convicts, including an Estonian convict named Petr Raudsep, a German, an Italian named , a Ghanaian woman named Yasantwa Adei, an American drug dealer named Kreston Mackie, a Mexican couple Paco and Rosa, a Japanese enforcer named Go Saiga, and a British ex-Special Forces named Ewan McStarley. The inmates are fitted with explosive ankle bracelets equipped with GPS trackers and tags that must be removed from deceased opponents to prevent their own bombs from detonating after 30 hours; the last survivor wins freedom and a prize, while the entire deadly competition is broadcast live via on the to millions of viewers. As the game begins during the drop, tensions erupt immediately: is thrown out and impaled on a spike, becoming the first casualty. The convicts scatter across the island, forming uneasy alliances amid brutal confrontations. Yasantwa kills the German in after he attempts to rape her, stabbing him and detonating his bracelet. Conrad, a former operative operating under an alias, avoids early violence but witnesses horrors, including McStarley raping and exploding Rosa's bracelet while forcing to watch, then later burning alive after torturing him. Yasantwa seduces and kills Kreston by detonating his tag inside a plane, but later sacrifices herself by pulling her own tag in a to take out additional threats. Meanwhile, Conrad eliminates Petr by knocking him off a cliff and later teams up briefly with others before discovering the production team's hidden and broadcast equipment; he contacts his estranged wife and FBI agents back in the U.S., who begin investigating Breckel's operation. McStarley and Saiga, armed with smuggled weapons from the producers, form a deadly , eliminating several inmates and later turning on each other. As the timer nears expiration, only Conrad and McStarley remain among the convicts. Conrad stabs Saiga to death with his own knife during a confrontation. McStarley, rampaging through the production camp with a shotgun, kills several crew members, including cameramen and techs, before facing Conrad in a fierce hand-to-hand and firearms battle; McStarley appears to kill Conrad by shooting him off a cliff into the ocean, claiming victory. However, Conrad survives the fall and returns to the camp, shooting McStarley dead. He then confronts Breckel, who attempts to flee by helicopter; with assistance from Breckel's remorseful girlfriend Julie, Conrad reactivates an ankle bomb and throws it into the helicopter, causing it to explode and kill Breckel and the pilot. The broadcast ends, the operation is exposed, and Conrad, cleared of charges due to his true identity as undercover agent Jack Riley, reunites with Sarah and his family in Texas as a free man.

Themes

The Condemned offers a pointed critique of and media violence, depicting a online spectacle where inmates are forced to fight to the death, mirroring the voyeuristic appeal of shows like Survivor but escalated to lethal extremes through audience bids and that drive viewership numbers into the millions. The film's producer character, Ian Breckel, embodies this cynicism by orchestrating the event under the belief that audiences are inherently drawn to the drama of killing, positioning the narrative as an indictment of sensationalistic programming that exploits human brutality for profit. This portrayal underscores audience complicity, with the story's coda declaring that viewers themselves become "the condemned" for their morbid curiosity in such content. Central to the film's exploration of redemption and is the arc of Jack Conrad, a wrongfully imprisoned operative who transitions from a reluctant participant in the to a figure of resistance, highlighting questions of desensitization to death within contexts. Conrad's internal struggle, marked by his unease after kills and his drive to reconnect with his family, serves as a to the dehumanizing spectacle, suggesting that even hardened individuals can reclaim agency against systemic exploitation. This theme critiques how media normalizes , forcing characters like Conrad to confront the ethical erosion it fosters. The narrative also addresses the of violence by assembling a diverse group of ten convicts from prisons worldwide, including figures like a and a Mexican cartel member, to create an internationally appealing event that exploits participants from various cultural backgrounds for a global audience. This setup illustrates the universal of human life in a borderless media landscape, where convicts' nationalities are leveraged to broaden the show's reach and underscore the exploitation inherent in transnational entertainment industries. Key motifs reinforce these ideas, with the remote island setting functioning as a for societal detachment, isolating the convicts in a confined arena that mirrors the emotional and ethical distance of viewers from the on-screen suffering. The timer device, enforcing a 30-hour deadline for the last survivor, symbolizes the of itself, reducing to a ticking countdown valued only by its entertainment potential and audience bids.

Music

Soundtrack

The The Condemned soundtrack album, titled The Condemned (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), was released digitally on April 24, 2007, exclusively through by . The compilation consists of 14 tracks featuring licensed rock and electronic music, curated to underscore the film's high-energy action sequences and align with WWE's established rock-oriented branding. Key tracks include "" by , played during intense fight scenes; "Hands of Time" by , accompanying chase moments; " Part I" by Eels; "Firestarter" by ; and "To Be Young (Is to Be Sad, Is to Be High)" by . Other notable selections are "Umbrella (Beatless Mix)" by Chymera, "This Colorful World" by Eliot Morris, "You Say" by Aya Peard, and "Casino (Solid State Remix)" by Johnny Klimek, , and . The album integrates with Graeme Revell's original score to heighten the film's tension, particularly in combat and survival sequences. As a digital-only release tied to WWE promotions, it achieved modest commercial success, primarily appealing to the wrestling fanbase through event tie-ins.

Score

The musical score for The Condemned was composed by , a New Zealand-born composer recognized for his work on numerous action and thriller films, including The Crow (1994) and Sin City (2005). Revell was engaged for the project in after commenced on May 15, 2006, in , . His contributions to the soundtrack include the "Opening Titles" cue, which establishes the film's intense atmosphere and is the sole original score track featured on the official album released via . Revell's style, often blending electronic and orchestral elements to build tension in high-stakes sequences, supports the film's action without dominating the narrative dialogue.

Release

Premiere and distribution

The Condemned had its world at the Fox Theatre in on March 30, 2007, as part of WWE's weekend festivities, drawing a crowd of approximately 5,000 enthusiastic fans who gave the film a at its conclusion. The event featured appearances by cast members, including star "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, and was promoted as a major highlight for wrestling enthusiasts in attendance. Following the premiere, Lionsgate handled the U.S. theatrical rollout, with the film opening wide in 2,310 theaters on April 27, 2007. WWE drove the marketing campaign through extensive on its flagship programs Raw and SmackDown!, integrating trailers and endorsements that emphasized the movie's high-octane action and graphic violence to appeal to the wrestling audience. WWE superstars, including and , publicly endorsed the film, further amplifying its visibility via on-air segments and event tie-ins. Trailers highlighted Austin's tough-guy persona and the film's R-rated intensity, positioning it as a gritty thriller critiquing reality TV exploitation. Distribution extended internationally on a limited basis, with theatrical releases in countries such as the (May 9, 2007), (May 11, 2007), and (July 13, 2007), while other markets opted for formats to capitalize on home entertainment demand. The of America (MPAA) awarded the film an R rating for pervasive strong brutal violence and language, reflecting its uncompromised depiction of combat and . The theatrical cut runs 113 minutes, balancing intense fight sequences with narrative development.

Critical response

Upon its release, The Condemned garnered predominantly negative reviews from critics, who found its blend of extreme violence and messaging unconvincing. On , the film holds a 16% approval rating based on 99 reviews, with the site's critics consensus describing it as "a morally ambiguous, exceedingly violent and mostly forgettable ." Similarly, assigns it a score of 23 out of 100, based on 24 critic reviews, reflecting "generally unfavorable" reception. Some reviewers praised the film's action choreography for its raw, practical effects and 's commanding screen presence as the stoic protagonist Jack Conrad. For instance, Cinema Crazed highlighted the "balls to the wall guy film" elements, appreciating the muscle-bound combatants and explosive fights without relying on CGI. , on Ebert & Roeper, gave it a thumbs up, noting its appeal as a straightforward wrestling-inspired thriller despite its flaws. Critics more commonly lambasted the predictable storyline, wooden , and hypocritical tone that condemns while reveling in graphic brutality. Variety described it as "yet another reheating of ',' distinguished only by an already stale reality angle," criticizing the jerky camerawork that obscured the action and Austin's one-note performance. ReelViews called it "hopelessly inept," with directorial choices amplifying an overall sense of ugliness akin to low-budget fare. deemed it "leaden and inept," faulting the extreme close-ups that failed to deliver engaging thrills. On Ebert & Roeper, guest critic issued a thumbs down, echoing concerns over its lack of originality. The film received no major award nominations but earned minor recognition for its technical aspects, including a for the Artios for Outstanding Achievement in Casting (Feature - Action/Horror) from the Casting Society of America.

Box office performance

The Condemned opened in 2,310 theaters across the on April 27, 2007, earning $3,807,595 during its debut weekend and placing ninth at the domestic . The film ultimately grossed $7,371,706 in the and over its theatrical run. Internationally, The Condemned performed modestly, collecting $1,271,152 from limited markets, bringing the worldwide total to $8,642,858. Produced on a , the film fell short of recouping its costs theatrically, resulting in an estimated loss of approximately $15.7 million. This underperformance relative to the production marked a disappointment for , which had high expectations for leveraging the promotion's fanbase in its early film ventures. Several market factors contributed to the film's limited success. Its R rating for strong brutal violence restricted appeal to broader family audiences, potentially limiting playdates in certain theater chains. Additionally, the release coincided with a crowded spring slate, including the blockbuster the following weekend, which dominated screens and overshadowed mid-tier action releases like The Condemned. Negative critical reception further hampered word-of-mouth and the film's theatrical legs, causing a sharp 50% drop in its second weekend.

Home media

The home video release of The Condemned became a key revenue driver following its modest theatrical performance. Lionsgate Home Entertainment issued the film on DVD on September 18, 2007, in both and full-screen editions. The DVD editions featured extensive bonus materials, including a five-part documentary titled "The Making of The Condemned," which provided behind-the-scenes insights into production; a featurette called "Capital Carnage Reunion" revisiting a pay-per-view event; footage of a "Stone Cold" Steve Austin meet-and-greet session at Movie World; and approximately 20 deleted and extended scenes. tracks were also included, with one featuring director Scott Wiper alone and another with Wiper joined by Steve Austin, offering wrestler perspectives on the action sequences. A Blu-ray edition followed on the same date, September 18, 2007, delivering enhanced video quality in high definition and 5.1 audio, while retaining the core special features from the DVD. Digital distribution expanded access post-2010, with the film becoming available for streaming and purchase on platforms such as (now Apple TV) starting January 1, 2010, and later on services like and Plex. Home media sales proved highly successful, with video releases generating over $23.7 million in revenue and an estimated 1.185 million units sold worldwide, more than tripling the film's theatrical earnings and securing overall profitability.

Sequel and legacy

The Condemned 2

The Condemned 2 is a 2015 American action thriller directed by , serving as a loose to the The Condemned by revisiting of deadly survival games broadcast for illicit entertainment. Produced by in collaboration with Lionsgate, the movie was filmed primarily in Albuquerque and , from November to December 2014. It features a screenplay by and emphasizes high-octane combat sequences in remote desert environments. The plot centers on Will Tanner (Randy Orton), a seasoned who assembles a team to capture Cyrus Merrick (), a criminal overlord running underground operations involving fatal fights. During the raid, Merrick is killed, leading to Tanner's from bounty hunting. Merrick's vengeful second-in-command, Raul Bacarro (), retaliates by coercing Tanner's ex-colleagues into a revamped "Condemned" tournament—a brutal, drone-monitored where participants must eliminate Tanner to win their freedom, all streamed for high-stakes betting by a shadowy clientele. With from his estranged father, Frank (), and a tech-savvy ally, Harrigan (Bill Stinchcomb), Tanner navigates the deadly contest, turning the hunter into the hunted in a fight for survival. The film stars WWE wrestler in the lead role, marking another onscreen outing for the performer following 12 Rounds 2: Reloaded. Supporting cast includes veteran actors and , alongside , known from . , who also handled cinematography, directs the project, with production overseen by Michael J. Luisi for . No notable cameos from other WWE personalities appear in the film. Released direct-to-video and on demand in the United States on November 6, 2015, by Lionsgate, the movie bypassed wide theatrical distribution. Critics gave The Condemned 2 mixed to negative reviews, with an audience score of 27% on Rotten Tomatoes based on over 100 ratings, reflecting disappointment in its execution despite the familiar action-thriller setup. Variety's Dennis Harvey described it as a "generic" sequel lacking originality, noting its clichéd narrative and uninspired stunts, though acknowledging Orton's charismatic physical presence in fight scenes as a highlight amid the formulaic script. On IMDb, it holds a 4.2/10 rating from over 3,300 users, with common complaints about predictable plotting and wooden dialogue, tempered by praise for Orton's committed performance and the brisk pacing. The film achieved modest commercial performance in the home media market, generating an estimated $1.6 million in domestic DVD sales.

Cultural impact

The Condemned represented a pivotal early venture for WWE Studios, established in 2006 to produce feature films featuring wrestling talent, coming shortly after The Marine (2006) and helping to establish the studio's focus on action-oriented projects. Starring WWE Hall of Famer "Stone Cold" Steve Austin in the lead role, the film exemplified the company's strategy to transition professional wrestlers into mainstream cinema, influencing subsequent releases such as 12 Rounds (2009) with John Cena and later collaborations like Vendetta (2015) starring The Big Show. This expansion broadened WWE's media footprint beyond televised events, leveraging the physicality and star power of its performers to attract audiences in the action genre. The film's narrative, centered on a brutal reality competition broadcast for profit, contributed to broader cultural critiques of sensationalized violence in media, positioning itself as a satirical commentary on the era's TV boom while ironically delivering graphic action sequences. Contemporary reviews highlighted its attempt to indict exploitative programming, sparking reflections on audience complicity in consuming violent content, though the message was often seen as heavy-handed given WWE's own history of choreographed . This thematic focus has resonated in ongoing debates about , with the film's premise echoing concerns over the normalization of brutality in formats. Among enthusiasts and fans, The Condemned has cultivated a dedicated following, appreciated for its high-stakes survival premise and Austin's commanding performance despite mixed . While no major adaptations or comic tie-ins have materialized, discussions around potential expansions, including a released in , underscore its enduring appeal within niche communities. The film's availability on streaming platforms like in the late and early revitalized interest, aligning with renewed conversations on violence in amid the rise of and unscripted content. As of 2025, it remains accessible on free ad-supported platforms such as and Plex, maintaining its cult status without significant new developments.

References

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