Liam Neeson’s action thriller, long forgotten by some fans, is now making a powerful comeback as “A Walk Among the Tombstones” climbs the streaming charts on Tubi. Anyone seeking a Liam Neeson action thriller streaming free on Tubi is finding this gritty noir movie hard to ignore, with its blend of violence, crime, and raw emotion.
Neeson Returns to Familiar Territory with a Dark Twist
Fans who associate Liam Neeson with haunted, relentless characters navigating criminal underworlds will feel right at home with “A Walk Among the Tombstones.” Released in 2014, the film sees Neeson play Matthew Scudder, a former NYPD officer whose career now revolves around operating as an unlicensed private investigator. The story quickly turns tragic and intense as Scudder takes a job from a local drug kingpin, played by Dan Stevens, after the kingpin’s wife is kidnapped and murdered.
Rather than the direct, fast-paced violence audiences have come to expect from his roles after “Taken,” Neeson’s journey in this film is darker and more deliberate, following a dangerous trail through New York City’s back streets. The narrative blurs lines between legality and criminality, with Scudder confronting not just killers, but his own moral compass as he seeks justice.
“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.”
—Source Synopsis
Notable Cast: From Neeson to Marvel’s Red Guardian
The movie’s atmosphere heavily depends on its stellar cast. Alongside Liam Neeson’s portrayal of Matthew Scudder, viewers will recognize Dan Stevens, who has played diverse roles across genres, from Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” to
“Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire”
and the horror film “Abigail.” He delivers a tense performance as drug kingpin Kenny Kristo, caught between loss and desperation.
The supporting cast also includes David Harbour, widely known as Jim Hopper in Netflix’s “Stranger Things,” as well as for taking on the role of Red Guardian in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. David Harbour portrays Ray, a character wrapped in the film’s web of crime and payback. Boyd Holbrook joins as Peter Kristo, further fleshing out the dynamic among those affected by violence and personal vendetta.
Critical Response and Divided Audiences
Upon its initial release, “A Walk Among the Tombstones” received a noticeably mixed reaction. Critics landed on a fresh 68% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, highlighting its homage to gritty crime stories of previous decades and Neeson’s effortless slide into a tough, noir-style role. The film was described as a
throwback to the type of ugly, nasty crime film of yesteryear
—Unattributed Critic
and praised for giving Neeson
hard-boiled noir role that he slips into with ease.
—Unattributed Critic
Despite this, audiences showed less enthusiasm, with the approval rating dipping to 58%. Viewers were split, some championing it as
Neeson’s best movie of the decade
—Unattributed Viewer
while others questioned the necessity of
every modern action movie has to bring a new level of disgusting, graphic sadism.
—Unattributed Viewer
This tension between appreciation for grittiness and discomfort with violence has kept the film controversial and, in some circles, underappreciated.
A Strong Fit for Noir Fans—Now Dominating Tubi’s Charts
While “A Walk Among the Tombstones” may not deliver the relentless action that became Neeson’s hallmark post-“Taken,” it stands out for its bleak atmosphere and morally complex protagonist. For viewers seeking an intense noir action thriller, the film’s current availability as a Liam Neeson action thriller streaming free on Tubi is a prime opportunity. That access, paired with the film’s resurgence in popularity, has seen it swiftly rise among the most-watched titles on the streaming platform, reflecting a renewed interest in the Irish actor’s grittier, more somber work.
With the star power of Liam Neeson, nuanced performances from David Harbour and Dan Stevens, and its renewed visibility on streaming platforms, “A Walk Among the Tombstones” is reminding audiences why Neeson remains an enduring figure in the action noir genre, despite some ongoing debate about the film’s graphic intensity and emotional weight.
