Liam Neeson’s 2014 neo-noir thriller, A Walk Among the Tombstones, has achieved notable success both critically and on streaming platforms, outshining the widely recognized hit Taken. Since its arrival on Paramount+, the film has gained traction as viewers are drawn to Neeson’s gripping portrayal of a complex, aged action hero navigating the dark streets of New York. This renewed interest exemplifies why the Liam Neeson action thriller success story continues to grow.
The film, directed and written by Scott Frank—who later co-wrote the acclaimed Logan with James Mangold and Michael Green—has earned a stronger critics’ rating than Taken on Rotten Tomatoes. While Taken holds a respectable 60% consensus, A Walk Among the Tombstones leads with 68%, reflecting its intensity and depth within Neeson’s body of work. As the movie climbs streaming charts alongside major titles like Mel Gibson’s The Patriot and Top Gun: Maverick, it cements its standing as one of the actor’s most impactful thrillers.
Plot and Cast Highlight a Gritty Detective Thriller in New York City
The story centers on Matt Scudder, a former NYPD officer turned unlicensed private detective, portrayed by Liam Neeson. Scudder’s latest case leads him into New York’s underworld when a drug trafficker, played by Dan Stevens, hires him after his wife is kidnapped and murdered. As Scudder investigates, he uncovers a chilling pattern linking the crimes, forcing him to navigate morally gray zones in a race to stop the perpetrators before more victims fall.
“Matt Scudder (Liam Neeson), formerly part of the NYPD, now works as an unlicensed private detective. His latest client is a drug trafficker (Dan Stevens) whose wife was kidnapped and brutally murdered, and as Scudder delves deeper, he finds that the crime’s sequence is the modus operandi of the perpetrators. Before they can strike again and destroy other lives, Scudder races through the back streets of New York to catch the killers, blurring the lines between lawful and criminal as he goes.” —Official Synopsis
Alongside Neeson and Stevens, the cast includes David Harbour as Ray, Boyd Holbrook as Peter Kristo, and several others who bring depth to this gritty crime narrative. Their performances complement Neeson’s grounded portrayal, adding layers to the tense atmosphere that permeates the film.
Liam Neeson’s Ongoing Role as a Mature Action Star and Upcoming Projects
Though Liam Neeson has expressed thoughts about retiring from intense action roles, he remains a dominant figure in the genre with several projects underway. Aside from continuing to showcase his trademark intensity, Neeson is set to star in various upcoming films, including Cold Storage, Hotel Tehran with Zachary Levi, the heist thriller 4 Kids Walk Into a Bank, and The Mongoose, in which he plays Ryan Fang Flanagan, a war hero falsely accused of a crime and pursued in a high-stakes car chase.
Adding to this, Neeson will soon broaden his range by starring in a reboot of The Naked Gun franchise, which is planned for release on August 1, 2025. Directed by Akiva Schaffer, this new installment will parody classic cop movie tropes and Neeson’s long-established action persona. The film features a diverse ensemble including Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, Kevin Durand, Danny Huston, Liza Koshy, Cody Rhodes, CCH Pounder, and Busta Rhymes, with Neeson stepping into the iconic role of Frank Drebin Jr. originally made famous by Leslie Nielsen.
The Influence and Enduring Appeal of Liam Neeson’s Action Roles
Liam Neeson’s action thrillers, particularly A Walk Among the Tombstones, demonstrate how his career evolved from traditional stunt roles to defining a niche as an older yet still formidable action hero. This persona has resonated with audiences worldwide, influencing how mature actors are cast in action genres. His steady presence and ability to combine emotional weight with suspenseful sequences have helped maintain his appeal and keep his films relevant in a competitive entertainment landscape.
With the continued streaming success of A Walk Among the Tombstones and multiple ambitious projects on the horizon, Liam Neeson’s career as an action star is far from over. Fans can anticipate seeing him bring new dimensions to his characters while also facing fresh challenges in the evolving world of action cinema.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is Liam Neeson’s religion?
A. Raised in a Catholic family, he was named Liam after a priest from the area. He has three sisters named Elizabeth, Bernadette, and Rosaleen.
Q. What religion is Liam Neeson?
A. He explained that being raised Catholic in a mostly Protestant town made him careful. He once felt like a “second-class citizen.” However, he also mentioned that at the predominantly Protestant technical college in town, he never felt “inferior or even different.”
