Safe House is a 2012 American action thriller film directed by Daniel Espinosa, written by David Guggenheim, and starring Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds. The film follows Matt Weston, a CIA officer in charge of a safe house in Cape Town, South Africa, where the CIA is interrogating Tobin Frost, a veteran operative accused of betraying the agency. When the safe house is attacked by mercenaries, Weston flees with Frost in his charge.
The movie received mixed reviews, with praise for the performances of Washington and Reynolds, but negative criticisms for the screenplay and the editing of the action scenes. The film premiered in New York City on February 7, 2012, and was released in U.S. theaters on February 10, 2012, by Universal Pictures.
Plot
The plot of Safe House revolves around a young CIA agent, Matt Weston, who is tasked with looking after a fugitive, Tobin Frost, in a safe house in Cape Town, South Africa. However, the safe house is attacked by mercenaries, and Weston finds himself on the run with Frost.
As they try to evade the gunmen, Frost reveals to Weston that there is an informer within the CIA, leading to a series of intense chases, gunfights, and confrontations. The two men must join forces to stay alive and uncover the identity of the mole within the agency.
The film is a high-stakes thriller that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats as Weston and Frost navigate the dangerous world of espionage and betrayal.
Trailer
Full Cast
- Denzel Washington as Tobin Frost
- Ryan Reynolds as Matt Weston
- Vera Farmiga as Catherine Linklater
- Brendan Gleeson as David Barlow
- Sam Shepard as Harlan Whitford
- Rubén Blades as Carlos Villar
- Nora Arnezeder as Ana Moreau
- Robert Patrick as Daniel Kiefer
- Liam Cunningham as Alec Wade
- Joel Kinnaman as Keller
- Fares Fares as Vargas
- Jenna Dover as CIA Analyst
- Stephen Rider as CIA Analyst
- Tracie Thoms as CIA Analyst
- Shannon Lucio as CIA Analyst
- Sara Arrington as CIA Analyst
- Jake McLaughlin as Miller
- Tanit Phoenix Copley as Hostess
- Stephen Bishop as Marine Guard
- Daniel Fox as Marine Guard
- Nicole Sherwin as CIA Analyst
- Leander Suleiman as CIA Analyst
- Robert Hobbs as CIA Analyst
- Justin Shaw as CIA Analyst
- Boris Martinez as CIA Analyst
- Jeremy Latcham as CIA Analyst
- Scott Eastwood as CIA SAD Operative
- David S. Lee as CIA SAD Operative
- Rus Blackwell as CIA SAD Operative
- Kenneth Fok as CIA SAD Operative
- Trevor Coppola as CIA SAD Operative
- Nic Rasenti as Marine Guard
- Dylan Edy as Marine Guard
- David Orpheus as Marine Guard
- Conrad Kemp as Marine Guard
- Tony Kgoroge as Johannesburg Safe House Guard
- Garth Breytenbach as Johannesburg Safe House Guard
- Jeremy Crutchley as Johannesburg Safe House Guard
- Greg Melvill-Smith as Johannesburg Safe House Guard
- Sean Higgs as Johannesburg Safe House Guard
- Johan van Schoor as Johannesburg Safe House Guard
- Gideon van Schoor as Johannesburg Safe House Guard
- Grant Swanby as Johannesburg Safe House Guard
- Sizo Motsoko as Johannesburg Safe House Guard
- Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine as Khulu
- Kenneth Nkosi as Officer at Soccer Stadium
- Khotan Fernández as Soccer Kid
- Christopher Frost as Soccer Kid
- Daniel Hadebe as Johannesburg Taxi Driver
- Lika Berning as Johannesburg Taxi Driver
- David Dukas as Johannesburg Taxi Driver
- Thembalethu Ntuli as Johannesburg Taxi Driver
- Sibongile Mlambo as Johannesburg Taxi Driver
- Masasa Mbangeni as Johannesburg Taxi Driver
- Nomhle Nkonyeni as Johannesburg Taxi Driver
- Sivuyile Ngesi as Johannesburg Taxi Driver
- Sizwe Msutu as Johannesburg Taxi Driver
- Ntuthuko Sibisi as Johannesburg Taxi Driver
- Ntuthuko Mbuyazi as Johannesburg Taxi Driver
- Ntuthuko Mazibuko as Johannesburg Taxi Driver
- Ntuthuko Mthembu as Johannesburg Taxi Driver
- Ntuthuko Mkhize as Johannesburg Taxi Driver
Director: Daniel Espinosa
Writer: David Guggenheim
Box Office Gross: $208,076,205
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Genre: Action, Mystery & thriller
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 10, 2012
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 1, 2015
Visual Styles & Techniques
The visual styles and techniques in the film Safe House involve a combination of visual effects, cinematography, and design elements that contribute to the movie's action-packed and intense atmosphere.
The use of visual effects, architectural design, and immersive experiences in different contexts demonstrates the diverse interpretations and applications of the safe house concept.
Setting
The film Safe House is set in Cape Town, South Africa, where a young CIA agent, Matt Weston, is tasked with looking after a fugitive, Tobin Frost, in a safe house.
The movie features a mix of urban and rural settings, including the city of Cape Town, the surrounding countryside, and a variety of interior locations such as the safe house itself.
Trivia
• Enforced Method Acting:
Denzel Washington was actually waterboarded during the filming of some of the torture scenes in the movie, demonstrating his commitment to the role through method acting.
• Original Setting:
The movie was originally set in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, but due to security concerns, the production decided to shoot in Cape Town, South Africa, where the action was relocated.
• Financial Success:
Safe House earned $13.6 million on its opening day and $40.1 million over the opening weekend, including $10.5 million overseas. It became Denzel Washington's second-biggest opener and is the most financially successful film ever by a Swedish director, Daniel Espinosa.
• Preparation for Role:
Producer Scott Stuber gave Washington a book called "The Sociopath Next Door" to read in preparation for his role, which became a reference point for developing his character in the film.
• Safe House Set:
The safe house featured in the film was built on a makeshift soundstage at the 3 Arts Theatre, one of the oldest theaters in Cape Town, and took nearly three months to complete.