Editing The Beekeeper


{{MovieInfobox|Picture=The beekeeper.jpeg|Release Date=January 12, 2024|Directed By=[[David Ayer]]}}


'''''The Beekeeper''''' is a 2024 American [[action thriller]] film directed by [[David Ayer]] and written by [[Kurt Wimmer]]. The film stars [[Jason Statham]], [[Emmy Raver-Lampman]], [[Josh Hutcherson]], Bobby Naderi, [[Phylicia Rashad]], [[Jemma Redgrave]] and [[Jeremy Irons]]. When his kind-hearted landlady dies by suicide after losing her charity's funds to a [[phishing]] scam, Adam Clay, a former "Beekeeper" operative,  sets out on a brutal campaign for revenge upon those responsible.

''The Beekeeper'' was released in the United States by [[Amazon MGM Studios]] under the [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]] label on January 12, 2024. The film grossed $152.7 million worldwide, making it the [[2024 in film#Highest-grossing films|tenth-highest-grossing film of 2024]].

== Plot ==
Retired school teacher Eloise Parker lives alone but has a tenant in her barn, Adam Clay, living a quiet life as a [[beekeeper]]. One day, Eloise falls for a [[phishing]] scam that bankrupts her and steals over $2 million from a charity fund she manages. Devastated, she commits suicide. Adam discovers her body and is immediately arrested by [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] agent Verona Parker, Eloise's daughter. After being cleared and released, Verona tells Adam the group that robbed her mother has been on the FBI's radar for a while but is difficult to track. Seeking justice for Eloise, Adam contacts the Beekeepers, a mysterious group, to find the scammers responsible. 

Adam receives an address for the scammers: a call center run by Mickey Garnett. Adam scares off the employees and destroys the building. Mickey informs his boss, technology executive Derek Danforth, who sends Mickey to kill Adam. A violent confrontation ensues where Adam kills Mickey's men and severs Mickey's fingers on his right hand with a [[bandsaw]]. Mickey calls Derek while stopped at a bridge, informing him that Adam is a Beekeeper. Having followed Mickey, Adam drags him off the bridge with a truck to his death and warns Derek that he is coming after him. 

Derek informs former [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] director Wallace Westwyld, who is currently running security for Danforth Enterprises at the request of Derek's mother, Jessica, about Adam. Concerned, Wallace contacts current CIA Director Harward in hopes of stopping Adam. Harward contacts the Beekeepers and learns that Adam has retired from the organization. The Beekeepers subsequently declare neutrality after Adam kills the current Beekeeper, Anisette, sent to kill him. Verona and her partner, Matt Wiley, anticipate that Adam will deliver an assault on the Nine Star United Center in Boston, which oversees all of Derek's global scam call centers. After informing FBI Deputy Director Prigg that Adam is a Beekeeper, they receive all the support they ask for.

Wallace coordinates a group of ex-special forces personnel, revealing to them that the Beekeepers are a highly skilled and dangerous [[clandestine human intelligence]] organization tasked with protecting the United States, operating above and beyond governmental jurisdiction. To have a chance at stopping Adam, Wallace orders the group to secure the inside of the Nine Star Building, while the FBI places their own SWAT team around the perimeter. However, Derek's refusal to evacuate the employees enables Adam to quickly defeat the FBI SWAT team and infiltrate the building. After wiping out all of Wallace’s ex-special forces group, Adam proceeds to interrogate manager Rico Anzalone, who reveals that Derek is his boss.

Verona informs Prigg that Derek runs both companies, which several US government agencies use. Verona also brings up the point that not only will Adam attempt to kill Derek, but he may also kill Jessica, the [[President of the United States]], due to her association with the scam. As Adam eludes capture, Wallace advises Derek to stay with his mother under Secret Service protection.

At the president's beachside mansion, Wallace hires a group of mercenaries, including Lazarus, who lost a leg during a previous encounter with a Beekeeper. Adam infiltrates the mansion, while the President learns the truth from Prigg about her son's exploitation of a CIA program during her presidential campaign. She decides that when Adam approaches, she will tell him and the world the truth about Derek's use of the program. Enraged, Derek kills Prigg and takes his mother hostage. Adam fights his way to the President's office, killing the mercenaries and Lazarus in the process. Wallace talks to Adam to persuade him to turn away at the last moment but fails. Adam eventually reaches Jessica's office, being quickly joined by Verona, Matt, and the rest of the FBI agents.

Verona tries to dissuade Adam from killing Jessica and Derek. Derek attempts to kill his mother, but Adam kills him first and escapes through a nearby window and onto the beach. Despite Verona having a clear shot, she decides not to shoot Adam. He flees with the aid of the underwater gear he had hidden on the beach.

== Cast ==
{{Castlist|* [[Jason Statham]] as Adam Clay
* [[Emmy Raver-Lampman]] as Agent Verona Parker
* [[Josh Hutcherson]] as Derek Danforth
* Bobby Naderi as Agent Matt Wiley
* [[Minnie Driver]] as Director Janet Harward
* [[David Witts]] as Mickey Garnett
* Michael Epp as Pettis
* Taylor James as Lazarus
* [[Jemma Redgrave]] as President Danforth
* [[Enzo Cilenti]] as Rico Anzalone
* [[Phylicia Rashad]] as Eloise Parker
* [[Jeremy Irons]] as Wallace Westwyld}}

== Production ==

===Development===
In August 2021, it was announced that [[Jason Statham]] would star in the film for [[Miramax]], and would also serve as a producer.<ref>{{cite web|last=D'Alessandro|first=Alexander|url=https://deadline.com/2021/08/jason-statham-to-star-in-miramax-movie-the-bee-keeper-1234823345/|title=Jason Statham To Star In Miramax's 'The Bee Keeper'|date=August 27, 2021|access-date=May 21, 2023|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|archive-date=May 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521190522/https://deadline.com/2021/08/jason-statham-to-star-in-miramax-movie-the-bee-keeper-1234823345/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[David Ayer]] signed on to direct in May 2022.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wiseman|first=Andreas|date=May 5, 2022|url=https://deadline.com/2022/05/jason-statham-david-ayer-suicide-squad-beekeeper-movie-miramax-cannes-1235017464/|title='Suicide Squad' Filmmaker David Ayer To Direct Jason Statham In Miramax's Action Pic 'The Beekeeper' — Cannes Market Hot Package|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|access-date=May 21, 2023|archive-date=November 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221118042341/https://deadline.com/2022/05/jason-statham-david-ayer-suicide-squad-beekeeper-movie-miramax-cannes-1235017464/|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Filming===
[[Principal photography]] began in September 2022 in the United Kingdom.<ref name="Deadline2" /> In October, Statham shot scenes at [[Tyringham Hall]] in [[Tyringham]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Morton|first=Dennis|date=October 21, 2023|title=Video shows Jason Statham filming blockbuster movie in small Milton Keynes village|url=https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/read-this/video-shows-jason-statham-filming-blockbuster-movie-in-small-milton-keynes-village-3888450|access-date=March 13, 2023|newspaper=[[Edinburgh News]]|archive-date=March 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314001624/https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/read-this/video-shows-jason-statham-filming-blockbuster-movie-in-small-milton-keynes-village-3888450|url-status=live}}</ref> Filming [[wrap (filmmaking)|wrapped]] that December.<ref>{{cite web|date=December 6, 2022|title=2022 film and high-end TV productions shooting in the UK: latest updates|url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/2022-film-and-high-end-tv-productions-shooting-in-the-uk-latest-updates/5171504.article|access-date=March 14, 2023|website=[[Screen Daily]]|archive-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107172517/https://www.screendaily.com/news/2022-film-and-high-end-tv-productions-shooting-in-the-uk-latest-updates/5171504.article|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Release ==
[[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]] (MGM) acquired the film's distribution rights in the United States in August 2022.<ref name="Deadline22">{{cite web|title=Jason Statham-David Ayer Action Pic 'The Beekeeper' Pre-Bought By MGM For U.S. & Some Of International|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|first=Andreas|last=Wiseman|date=August 31, 2022|access-date=September 9, 2022|url=https://deadline.com/2022/08/suicide-squad-david-ayer-jason-statham-beekeeper-mgm-miramax-1235104064/|archive-date=September 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220909045852/https://deadline.com/2022/08/suicide-squad-david-ayer-jason-statham-beekeeper-mgm-miramax-1235104064/|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2023, [[Sky Cinema]] acquired the rights in the United Kingdom.<ref name="Deadline3">{{cite web|title=Jason Statham-David Ayer Action Film 'The Beekeeper' Sells To UK|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|first=Andreas|last=Wiseman|date=February 20, 2023|access-date=February 27, 2023|url=https://deadline.com/2023/02/jason-statham-david-ayer-movie-beekeeper-sky-uk-1235264786/|archive-date=February 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220083306/https://deadline.com/2023/02/jason-statham-david-ayer-movie-beekeeper-sky-uk-1235264786/|url-status=live}}</ref> It was released by [[Amazon MGM Studios]] on January 12, 2024.<ref name="MGM Studios">{{cite web|last=Hipes|first=Patrick|date=October 4, 2023|title=''The Beekeeper'' Trailer: Jason Statham And David Ayer Action Movie Flying Toward January Release|url=https://deadline.com/video/the-beekeeper-trailer-poster-jason-statham-david-ayer/|access-date=October 4, 2023|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|archive-date=October 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011194525/https://deadline.com/video/the-beekeeper-trailer-poster-jason-statham-david-ayer/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Trailer2">{{cite magazine|last=White|first=James|title=Jason Statham Proves Vengeance Stings In ''The Beekeeper'' Trailer|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/jason-statham-unleashing-vengeance-in-the-beekeeper-trailer/|magazine=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]|access-date=October 4, 2023|date=April 10, 2023|archive-date=October 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010085339/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/jason-statham-unleashing-vengeance-in-the-beekeeper-trailer/|url-status=live}}</ref>

''The Beekeeper'' was released on [[VOD]] and digital platforms on January 30, 2024.<ref>{{cite web|last=Brueggemann|first=Tom|date=February 5, 2024|title=From ''Migration'' to ''The Beekeeper'', VOD Charts Suggest Viewers Are Willing to Wait for Lower Rental Prices|url=https://www.indiewire.com/news/box-office/migration-the-beekeeper-vod-viewers-wait-for-lower-prices-1234951184/|access-date=March 2, 2024|website=[[IndieWire]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302221821/https://www.indiewire.com/news/box-office/migration-the-beekeeper-vod-viewers-wait-for-lower-prices-1234951184/|archive-date=March 2, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Reception ==

===Box office===
''The Beekeeper'' grossed $66.2{{nbsp}}million domestically (United States and Canada) and $86.5{{nbsp}}million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $152.7{{nbsp}}million,<ref name="BOM">{{Cite Box Office Mojo |access-date=2024-04-20}}</ref> against a budget of "$40{{nbsp}}million or less".<ref>{{cite web |title='Mean Girls' Drives $100 Million Box Office Weekend, but It May Be the Last One Until March |first=Tom |last=Brueggemann |date=January 14, 2024 |website=[[IndieWire]] |url=https://www.indiewire.com/news/box-office/mean-girls-the-beekeeper-100-million-box-office-weekend-1234943553/ |access-date=February 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240301113715/https://www.indiewire.com/news/box-office/mean-girls-the-beekeeper-100-million-box-office-weekend-1234943553/ |archive-date=March 1, 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> It spent its first eight weeks in the Top 10 at the domestic box office, peaking at No. 1 in its third week.<ref name="BOMWeek">{{cite web |title=''The Beekeeper'' {{!}} Domestic Weekly |website=[[Box Office Mojo]] |publisher=[[IMDb]] |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2912715521/weekly/?ref_=bo_rl_tab#tabs |access-date=2024-04-20}}</ref>
===Critical response===
{{RT prose|{{RT data|score}}|{{RT data|average}}|{{RT data|count}}|Cheerfully undemanding and enjoyably retrograde, ''The Beekeeper'' proves that when it comes to dispensing action-thriller justice, Statham hasn't lost his sting.|ref=yes|access-date={{RT data|access date}}}}{{MC film|54|37|ref=yes|access-date=2024-04-20}} Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=J. Kim |date=2024-01-13 |title=Box Office: ‘Mean Girls’ So Fetch With $11.6 Million Opening Day, ‘Beekeeper’ Buzzing in Second |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/box-office/mean-girls-musical-opening-day-beekeeper-jason-statham-1235870885/ |access-date=2024-04-29 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>A review in ''[[The Guardian]]'' says the non-shooting scenes are rushed and both Rashad and Driver are underused, and describes it as "a solid, low-stakes, medium-reward new year's effort".<ref>{{cite news|last=Lee|first=Benjamin|date=January 11, 2024|title=The Beekeeper review – Jason Statham's John Wick is serviceable schlock|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/jan/11/beekeeper-movie-review-jason-statham|access-date=January 18, 2024|work=[[The Guardian]]|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=January 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118235210/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/jan/11/beekeeper-movie-review-jason-statham|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[RogerEbert.com]]''{{'}}s [[Matt Zoller Seitz]] praised various aspects of the film, including its range of villains, but regretted: "It's a real shame that 'The Beekeeper' isn't the righteous trash masterpiece that it keeps threatening to turn into."<ref>{{cite web|last=Seitz|first=Matt Zoller|date=January 11, 2024|title=The Beekeeper movie review & film summary (2024)|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-beekeeper-movie-review-2024|access-date=January 18, 2024|website=[[RogerEbert.com]]|archive-date=January 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118235210/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-beekeeper-movie-review-2024|url-status=live}}</ref>

== External links ==
*{{Official website}}
*{{IMDb title}}

== References ==
[[Category:2024 films]]
[[Category:Films starring Jason Statham]]
[[Category:Films starring Emmy Raver-Lampman]]
[[Category:Films starring Josh Hutcherson]]
[[Category:Films starring Bobby Naderi]]
[[Category:Films starring Minnie Driver]]
[[Category:Films starring David Witts]]
[[Category:Films starring Michael Epp]]
[[Category:Films starring Taylor James]]
[[Category:Films starring Jemma Redgrave]]
[[Category:Films starring Enzo Cilenti]]
[[Category:Films starring Phylicia Rashad]]
[[Category:Films starring Jeremy Irons]]
[[Category:2024 action thriller films]]
[[Category:2024 crime thriller films]]
[[Category:2020s American films]]
[[Category:2020s English-language films]]
[[Category:4DX films]]
[[Category:Amazon MGM Studios films]]
[[Category:American action thriller films]]
[[Category:American crime thriller films]]
[[Category:American films about revenge]]
[[Category:Films about landlords]]
[[Category:Films directed by David Ayer]]
[[Category:Films produced by Bill Block]]
[[Category:Films produced by Jason Statham]]
[[Category:Films scored by David Sardy]]
[[Category:Films set in Boston]]
[[Category:Films set in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Films shot in Buckinghamshire]]
[[Category:Films shot in London]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Kurt Wimmer]]
[[Category:IMAX films]]
[[Category:Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer films]]
[[Category:Miramax films]]
[[Category:Films]]
[[Category:2:35:1 Aspect Ratio Films]]
[[Category:2:39:1 Aspect Ratio Films]]
[[Category:Action]]
[[Category:Action films]]
[[Category:Action thriller films]]
[[Category:Thriller]]
[[Category:Thriller films]]
[[Category:Crime]]
[[Category:Crime films]]
[[Category:Crime drama films]]