Security (2017)

Security is the kind of lean, muscular action thriller that remembers the simple pleasure of watching a capable hero improvise under pressure, and Antonio Banderas brings a worn-in charisma that makes you root for him from the first scene. Set largely in a shabby mall after hours, the movie turns familiar spaces into a tight, nerve-jangling arena of cat-and-mouse, with clean geography, punchy shootouts, and a satisfying sense of escalation. Ben Kingsley adds a chilly menace that helps the stakes feel real, even when the story moves along on classic genre rails. If you’re looking for a deep reinvention of the form, this isn’t it—but if you want a solid, credible, crowd-pleasing siege movie with real momentum (and R-rated bite), it delivers.

Security is clearly aiming for a lean, contained “one-night siege” thriller where a down-on-his-luck pro has to protect a witness and outsmart a crew of bad guys inside a mall. The problem is it plays like a checklist of familiar beats, with clunky dialogue and a script that rarely surprises, so the tension often feels manufactured rather than earned. Antonio Banderas brings a bit of weary charm and there are a few decent, scrappy action moments, but Ben Kingsley and the premise both feel wasted on material this routine. If you’re happy with a straightforward, disposable B-movie shootout, it’ll pass the time; if you want smart plotting, memorable villains, or anything remotely fresh, you’ll probably be watching the clock.