Summary

• Butler's 2009 thriller "Law Abiding Citizen" has found new popularity on Netflix.
• "Copshop" is a good companion film to "Law Abiding Citizen", addressing similar themes.
• Despite similarities, "Copshop" is considered more entertaining and well-received than "Law Abiding Citizen."

Despite its initially lukewarm critical reception, Gerard Butler's 2009 revenge thriller Law Abiding Citizen is one of Butler's most brutal movies, offering a distinctive view of violence and the broader justice system. However, while it certainly stands out in his resume, it is not a unique Gerard Butler project.

Although its story is very different in some ways, the 2021 movie Copshop is actually a perfect accompaniment for Law Abiding Citizen. Not only do the two projects both star Gerard Butler in roles that – despite surface differences – have some important similarities, but the movies also address key core themes. Law Abiding Citizen's resurgence on Netflix might be somewhat unexpected, but it's a welcome reminder that it's not a unique episode in Gerard Butler's career.

Copshop Is Another Gerard Butler Movie With A Flawed Protagonist

Clyde Shelton And Bob Viddick Are Surprisingly Similar

Initially, it might seem like there's not a lot to link Clyde Shelton to Copshop's Bob Viddick. While Shelton is steely and determined, bleakly cynical of the legal system, and broken by his harrowing experiences, Viddick is an altogether more upbeat and entertaining character. A hired hitman with a penchant for violence, he revels in the carnage of Copshop's plot (in which he goes toe-to-toe with other assassins in a bid to claim a contract on Frank Grillo's Teddy Murretto, while being locked up in a police station). However, in the context of Gerard Butler's career, the two roles have some important symmetry.

Much of Butler's resume is dominated by typically heroic figures. Whether it's Leonidas in the graphic novel adaptation 300, or as chiseled Secret Service agent Mike Banning in the Has Fallen movies, Butler has built a reputation for playing uncomplicated, all-action protagonists. Both Copshop and Law Abiding Citizen challenge this stereotype. Each movie sees Butler play a more morally nuanced character that has an antagonistic role in the story. While Shelton and Viddick represent different approaches to this archetype, each performance highlights Butler's surprising flexibility. For fans of his work, both movies provide important diversity.

Copshop And Law Abiding Citizen Deal With Similar Themes (In Very Different Ways)

They Tackle The Issue Of Flawed Justice

Beyond featuring Gerard Butler in a more villainous capacity, Copshop and Law Abiding Citizen share a crucial thematic connection. In their own distinctive ways, the two movies both address the issue of corrupt justice, vigilante violence, and extra-judicial retribution. In Law Abiding Citizen, Shelton's mission is personal, fuelled by the heartbreak of his wife and daughter's murders. By contrast, Copshop sees Butler work as a professional hitman, whose interest in the case is purely transactional. And yet, despite these differences in perspective, both movies speak to similar concerns.

Law Abiding Citizen speaks to similar concerns, where Shelton's crusade brings him into conflict with all aspects of justice...

In Copshop, for instance, it soon becomes clear that Alexis Louder's Val Young is one of the only honest officers working the case, causing her to question her faith in the system she is sworn to uphold. Law Abiding Citizen speaks to similar concerns, where Shelton's crusade brings him into conflict with all aspects of justice – from the man who murdered his family, to the lawyers who failed to deliver. The result sees Jamie Foxx's Nick Rice question his perspective on how justice is served. As such, the two movies highlight how noble ideals can quickly become compromised in the right circumstances.

"Copshop appears to be one thing on the surface, but ends up containing some surprising depths. They don't entirely erase the movie's flaws, whether it be pacing or an unnecessarily complicated story. When it focuses on the main plot of a man being hunted by dangerous killers and the woman trying to work out who to trust, it's an entertaining thrill ride that perhaps could've been even wilder, but suits just fine." - Rachel Labonte - Screen Rant's Copshop Review

Copshop Is Much Better Than Law Abiding Citizen

It's More Effective By Almost Every Metric

These similarities mean that Law Abiding Citizen and Copshop form an intriguing double-bill. However, while their connection makes for some interesting analysis, there are clear differences in of quality. As a piece of pure entertainment, Copshop easily outstrips Law Abiding Citizen. While both films feature somewhat ludicrous premises, Copshop somehow feels more grounded and believable, with well-realized characters and engaging dialog and performances. This is reflected in the film's impressive 82% score on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.

By contrast, Law Abiding Citizen's reviews often describe it is bleak and messy. Not only is the film incredibly violent, but its interesting commentary on the limits of justice is lost thanks to a scarcely believable plot that, ultimately, compromises any message it might be trying to deliver. As Law Abiding Citizen's Netflix success proves, the movie still has many defenders. However, when it comes to a purely entertaining action flick that showcases Gerard Butler's villainous potential while speaking to broader issues of injustice, Copshop is streets ahead.