Dredd

Name: Dredd
Released: 2011-08-11
Duration: 1 hr 38 min
Rating: 5

IDW Publishing

1 hr 38 min

2011

Rating

Trailer

Dredd Storyline

Dredd (2012) follows the story of Judge Dredd (Karl Urban), a no-nonsense law enforcement officer in a dystopian future where the justice system is controlled by Judges—individuals who act as judge, jury, and executioner. Dredd is tasked with mentoring a rookie named Cassandra Anderson (Olivia Thirlby), who possesses psychic abilities, as they investigate a brutal triple homicide in the heart of the 200-story Mega City One—a sprawling metropolis ravaged by crime.

The investigation leads them to the Slo-Mo drug manufacturing building, controlled by the ruthless drug lord Ma-Ma (Lena Headey). As they move through the towering structure, they are trapped inside by Ma-Ma and her gang. As Dredd and Anderson fight their way through the building, they realize that Ma-Ma has placed a bounty on their heads and will stop at nothing to prevent them from bringing her to justice.

As the film progresses, the tension intensifies, and Dredd and Anderson’s mission becomes a fight for survival. The film explores themes of justice, power, and morality in a corrupt society, with Dredd remaining an unwavering figure of law and order, while Anderson struggles with her own sense of justice and her psychic powers.

Content rating 15

Duration 1 hr 38 min

Last Updated 02/06/2025

Cast

Dredd Cast & Crew

No cast members added for this movie/series.

Dredd Review - 5/10 Rating

Dredd (2012) is a gritty, action-packed film that successfully captures the dark, dystopian tone of the Judge Dredd comic book series. Directed by Pete Travis, the film delivers a fast-paced, high-stakes story centered around the harsh realities of a future society where lawlessness reigns and the Judges hold ultimate power. Karl Urban’s portrayal of the titular character is one of the film’s strongest aspects, with Urban bringing a gritty intensity to the role, staying true to the comic’s depiction of Dredd as a stoic, morally rigid figure.

The film’s premise, set inside a single high-rise building, allows for an interesting, confined setting, which helps to ramp up the tension and action. The use of slow-motion effects, particularly in scenes involving the Slo-Mo drug, adds a unique visual element to the action sequences. While the film is visually compelling, with impressive set design and brutal combat sequences, the story itself feels one-dimensional.

Lena Headey’s portrayal of Ma-Ma is chilling, but the character lacks the depth needed to make her truly memorable. While Dredd is an enjoyable and violent action film, it ultimately feels limited in scope, with little room for character development or narrative depth. 5/10.

Dredd Trivia

Did You Know?

Dredd (2012) is a reboot of the 1995 film Judge Dredd, which starred Sylvester Stallone as the titular character. This version is much darker, grittier, and more faithful to the original Judge Dredd comic books.
Karl Urban, who plays Judge Dredd, famously insisted on never removing his helmet for the entire film, staying true to the comic book character who is rarely shown without his iconic helmet.
The film is set in the dystopian future of Mega City One, a massive urban sprawl that spans much of the east coast of the United States. The setting is bleak and overrun by crime, with Judges like Dredd serving as the last line of defense.
Lena Headey’s portrayal of the villain Ma-Ma was praised for its chilling and cold demeanor, though some critics noted that the character’s motivations were somewhat one-dimensional.
The film’s unique visual style includes the use of “Slo-Mo,” a drug that slows down the perception of time, which leads to several stunning slow-motion action sequences.
Dredd was a box office disappointment in the U.S. but gained a strong cult following internationally and through home video.
The film’s setting inside a single building, the Peach Trees block, was a deliberate choice by director Pete Travis, focusing on a contained environment to amplify the tension and action.
The film was shot on a relatively low budget of around $45 million, which is modest compared to many Hollywood blockbusters, but it still managed to achieve impressive visual effects, especially in the slow-motion sequences.
The film’s critical reception was generally positive, particularly for its intense action and Karl Urban’s portrayal of Dredd, but it was criticized for its lack of character development and a simplistic storyline.
Dredd (2012) inspired discussions of a potential sequel, but despite the film’s cult success, no sequel has been produced as of yet. However, there have been talks about expanding the universe through a TV series.