Netflix’s Honest Thief, a 2020 action thriller starring Liam Neeson, has erupted into a global sensation in September 2025, climbing the platform’s Top 10 charts and earning fan raves as “better than Taken.”
Neeson, 73, delivers a powerhouse performance as Tom Dolan, a meticulous bank robber turned honest man, betrayed by corrupt FBI agents after trying to go straight for love. Packed with heart-pounding chases, shocking betrayals, and Neeson’s signature grit, fans on X (#HonestThiefHype) call it “the hidden gem we all missed,” dubbing it the “most underrated action film of the decade.”
In the film, Tom, a former Marine, attempts to surrender his $9 million in loot to live with Annie (Kate Walsh), only to be double-crossed by rogue agents played by Jai Courtney and Anthony Ramos. The Boston-set thriller, directed by Mark Williams, blends explosive action with sly humor, with Jeffrey Donovan’s quirky FBI agent stealing scenes alongside his dog.
Fans praise Neeson’s blend of “lovable everyman and dangerous tough guy,” with one X user gushing, “This is peak Liam—Taken vibes but deeper!” Despite a 41% Rotten Tomatoes critic score, the audience’s 87% Popcornmeter reflects its cult status.
Critics initially overlooked the film, but its Netflix surge has sparked a reevaluation, with viewers hailing its tight 99-minute runtime and “twists that hit hard.” Some X posts debate its familiar action tropes, but most celebrate its emotional core, especially Tom’s romance. As Honest Thief dominates streaming, is it Neeson’s greatest hit yet, or a nostalgic throwback? Stream it now to join the frenzy that’s leaving audiences breathless.
