The Marksman is a 2021 action thriller film starring Liam Neeson as Jim Hanson, a former Marine scout sniper living alone on a ranch near the Arizona-Mexico border.
Jim’s quiet life is disrupted when he encounters Rosa (Teresa Ruiz) and her young son Miguel (Jacob Perez) illegally crossing the border, fleeing from a ruthless Mexican cartel led by Mauricio (Juan Pablo Raba).
1. ‘The Marksman’ Plot Summary
After Rosa is killed, Jim reluctantly agrees to drive Miguel to his relatives in Chicago, with Mauricio and his gang in deadly pursuit.
What follows is a tense road trip where Jim and Miguel slowly bond, even as the threat of the cartel looms over them. Ultimately, Jim must tap into his lethal skills to protect Miguel and give him a fighting chance at a better life.
2. ‘The Marksman’ Ending Explained
In the climactic final act, Jim and Miguel reach the farm belonging to Miguel’s relatives near Chicago. But Mauricio and his last remaining henchman soon catch up to them. Jim hides Miguel in the barn and takes up a sniper position in the farmhouse attic.
In a tense back-and-forth shootout, Jim manages to kill the nameless henchman. But Mauricio uses Miguel as bait to draw Jim out into the open. He grabs Miguel and prepares to shoot Jim, intending to turn Miguel into a ruthless killer like himself.
At the last moment, Miguel breaks free and creates a diversion so Jim can shoot and grievously wound Mauricio. With his enemy bleeding out, Jim hands Mauricio a gun with a single bullet – offering him the “choice” to take his own life. A gunshot rings out, implying Mauricio committed suicide rather than slowly die from his injuries.
3. Did He Die At The End of ‘The Marksman’?
With his mission finally complete, a badly wounded Jim takes Miguel to his aunt and cousins in Chicago. But it’s clear Jim himself is not long for this world, having been shot multiple times during the final battle.
In the closing scene, Jim boards a city bus, slowly closes his eyes, and appears to die from his injuries. After bonding with Miguel and saving him from a life of violence, Jim has found some measure of redemption in his final days. But his sacrifice leaves his fate uncertain.
The ending leaves it ambiguous whether Jim actually dies or miraculously survives his wounds. Perhaps if there is a sequel, we will learn more about the ultimate fate of this gruff but good-hearted vigilante.
4. Review for ‘The Marksman’ (2021)
The film is directed by Robert Lorenz and has impressive cinematography, capturing the landscapes of the Southwest. However, the plot is relatively simple and predictable, falling into familiar tropes. There is lack of suspense and action until the climax.
While the story is formulaic, Neeson delivers a strong, nuanced performance as the gruff but good-hearted Jim. He and young co-star Perez also demonstrate good chemistry in their unlikely bonding during their road trip. Their scenes together give the film some heart.
Other characters are underdeveloped and the villains are one-dimensional. There are also some questionable political implications regarding the depiction of immigrants and people of color.
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In the end, while The Marksman benefits from Neeson’s presence and charisma, the film apparently does not leave much of a mark. It is an average and forgettable entry in Neeson’s recent string of action movies. It may appeal to his fans, but for most viewers it is not an essential watch.
The ending may frustrate some with its ambiguity, but it also leaves the door open for more of Jim Hanson’s exploits protecting the innocent.
