🎬 Samaritan (2022)
“Samaritan” (2022) is a dark superhero action-drama directed by Julius Avery and starring Sylvester Stallone as a mysterious, aging man living a quiet life in a crumbling city plagued by crime. The film explores themes of redemption, loss, and the blurred line between heroism and vengeance.
The story is set in Granite City, a once-prosperous urban area now overrun by poverty and violence. Years ago, the city had two legendary super-powered brothers: Samaritan, a hero who protected the people, and Nemesis, his vengeful twin who despised humanity and blamed Samaritan for their family’s suffering. Their final battle supposedly ended with both dying in a massive explosion at a power plant — but rumors persist that Samaritan survived.
The film follows Sam Cleary (Javon “Wanna” Walton), a 13-year-old boy growing up in a tough neighborhood with his single mother. Sam idolizes the mythical figure of Samaritan and becomes obsessed with proving that the hero is still alive. He suspects that his reclusive neighbor, Joe Smith (Sylvester Stallone), is actually the long-lost Samaritan.
Joe lives quietly as a garbage collector, keeping to himself and avoiding attention. Despite his age, he displays superhuman strength and resilience — effortlessly stopping speeding cars, surviving brutal beatings, and withstanding fire. Sam notices these strange feats and becomes convinced that Joe is indeed the legendary hero.
Meanwhile, a violent gang led by Cyrus (Pilou Asbæk) rises to power in the city. Cyrus worships Nemesis and plans to restore his legacy by spreading chaos and destruction. When Sam becomes entangled with the gang, Joe is forced to reveal his true nature to protect the boy.
As the story unfolds, a shocking twist is revealed: Joe is not Samaritan — he is actually Nemesis, the fallen brother who survived the power plant explosion. Haunted by guilt over his past and his brother’s death, Joe has spent decades hiding his identity, trying to live a normal life and atone for his violent past.
In the film’s explosive climax, Cyrus steals Nemesis’s signature weapon — a massive sledgehammer forged to destroy Samaritan — and uses it to unleash chaos. Joe, reluctantly embracing his powers, confronts Cyrus and his gang in a fiery showdown inside a burning warehouse. Despite the destruction, Joe saves Sam and the city from total collapse, proving that even a man once branded a villain can choose to do good.
In the end, Sam promises to keep Joe’s secret, telling reporters that “Samaritan” saved the day — preserving the myth and allowing Joe to quietly disappear once again.
“Samaritan” combines superhero action with a gritty, emotional story about second chances and the power of redemption. Stallone delivers a powerful performance as a weary, reluctant hero carrying the weight of his past — showing that even in a world full of darkness, hope and change are still possible.
