---
title: "Hancock"
year: 2008
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/hancock"
fi1m_id: "hancock"
imdb_id: "tt0448157"
tmdb_id: 8960
wikidata_id: "Q220376"
fi1m_score: 54
critics_score: 53
critics_reviews: 17
published: "2026-10-05T05:27:05.988720+00:00"
updated: "2026-10-05T05:27:15.208866+00:00"
region: "TH"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Hancock (2008)

Directed by Peter Berg · 1h 32m · Fantasy, Action

## Identity

Hancock

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/hancock
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** hancock
- **IMDb ID:** tt0448157
- **TMDB ID:** 8960
- **Wikidata ID:** Q220376
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0448157/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/8960, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q220376

**Fi1m score: 54** · Critics 53 from 17 reviews

*In a sentence:* The drunken superhero is good company until somebody decides he needs explaining

> Will Smith gives *Hancock* a funny, disagreeable hero and Peter Berg gets an entertaining opening out of him. Then murky explanations crowd out the comedy, leaving a good cast struggling with a poorly joined-up story.

## Synopsis

John Hancock (Will Smith) is a hard-drinking superhero whose behaviour makes him an awkward candidate for the job. His powers allow him to perform heroics, but his drunken antics leave little room for the manners expected of a public saviour. Ray (Jason Bateman) and Mary (Charlize Theron) enter the story of a man whose abilities far exceed his self-control. Hancock faces the problem of doing good while remaining difficult company, with action and unruly behaviour repeatedly getting in each other’s way.

## Review

For its opening stretch, *Hancock* is a funny, agreeably rude superhero comedy; taken as a whole, it is a promising idea poorly followed through. Peter Berg understands the appeal of a hero whose drunken behaviour makes him unsuitable for the usual duties of reassurance and good example. The trouble comes when the film loses confidence in that simple attraction. At 92 minutes, it has little room to recover from its changes of direction.

Will Smith is the chief reason to stay. His John Hancock has enough charm to make the nastiness entertaining, without sanding away every disagreeable edge. We laughed at the drunken antics because Will Smith makes the hero’s lack of dignity look so unforced; the powers do not make their owner any less embarrassing. There is a small amount of sadness in the performance too, and the opening comedy gives it room without insisting that we notice.

Jason Bateman’s Ray is an important part of that balance, earnest and sweet without seeming entirely foolish. He gives the comedy someone who does not need to compete for the rudest line. Charlize Theron makes Mary worth watching even when the writing becomes less convincing, and her scenes with Will Smith carry feeling that the plot does not always deserve. The cast can suggest complicated lives with less effort than the screenplay takes to explain them.

The action has pleasures too, chiefly in effects that suit the early irreverence. Tobias A. Schliessler’s shaky photography is harder to defend: it supplies extra agitation where the action is busy enough already. Neil Spisak’s production design gets little help from a camera that seems reluctant to let us look around. Peter Berg keeps things lively, but a steadier view would let more of the visual jokes do their own work.

The cutting by Paul Rubell and Colby Parker, Jr. keeps the film moving, although moving quickly becomes a poor substitute for making sense. As the tone changes, there is too little time to settle into what the characters are now supposed to feel. John Powell’s score has to support that move towards seriousness, and it cannot make the transition convincing on its own. A little more time with the characters might have helped.

Vincent Ngo and Vince Gilligan’s screenplay asks us to accept a substantial change of direction, which we will not describe. The problem is how much explanation follows, and how little that explanation helps. The murky mythology takes attention away from a central character who was interesting enough before the film began accounting for him. We became impatient with the solemnity because it kept displacing the comedy that Will Smith and Jason Bateman had made work.

Within the superhero genre, this is an appealingly awkward starting point, and we would not demand that it remain a comedy throughout. We would ask it to make the serious passages as convincing as the jokes, which it does not. The performances give the curious something to enjoy, but we cannot recommend the film on their strength alone. For Will Smith completists, there is plenty to enjoy before the explanations begin.

*Fi1m score 54, published 5 October 2026.*

## What the critics say

The reviews lean towards mixed and negative, though most critics find something to enjoy in Hancock’s irreverent superhero premise. Praise centres on Will Smith, whose charisma and barbed comic performance give the disreputable hero appeal even when the story falters. The early comedy is a recurring strength, with several critics enjoying the drunken antics and rough humour. Supporting performances and effects also earn approval, though neither attracts the same consistency of praise as Smith.

The main complaint is that the promising opening gives way to muddled storytelling, with shifts in tone, murky mythology and rushed plotting weakening the film. Opinion nevertheless spreads widely. The New Yorker finds emotional resonance in Smith and Charlize Theron’s performances, while The AV Club welcomes the unusual combination of comedy, action and tragedy despite its imperfect fit. Less persuaded critics regard that same mixture as incoherent, particularly when the comedy gives way to melodrama.

## Straight answers

**Is Hancock worth watching?**

*Hancock* has enough Will Smith charm for completists, but we cannot recommend the whole film and score it 54 out of 100. Its funny, agreeably rude opening gives way to murky explanations and unconvincing seriousness, leaving the cast to supply pleasures the story cannot sustain.

**How long is Hancock, and what is it rated?**

*Hancock* runs 1h 32m. It is a fantasy and action film.

**Where can I watch Hancock in Thailand?**

*Hancock* is streaming on Netflix in Thailand, and it is also available to rent from Apple TV from ฿99.00. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How violent or frightening is Hancock, and is it suitable for children?**

*Hancock* carries a UK 12A certificate, and its hard-drinking hero, rude comedy and busy superhero action make it a cautious choice for younger children. The certificate allows under-12s with an accompanying adult; we would treat the drunken behaviour and action as reasons to weigh a child's sensitivity rather than assume superhero entertainment means family viewing.

**How does Hancock compare to The Incredibles?**

*Hancock* is the less successful comedy beside [*The Incredibles*](https://film.one/film/the-incredibles), which we recommend for its more disciplined storytelling and involving superhero family adventure. Will Smith makes an entertainingly disagreeable hero, but his film struggles when explanation replaces jokes; *The Incredibles* handles the collision between superhero duties and domestic frustrations more assuredly, despite a slightly stretched running time.

### Reviews we read (17)

- **The New Yorker**, David Denby (90/100, inferred): Denby finds Hancock a surprisingly resonant and highly enjoyable summer spectacle. He especially praises Will Smith and Charlize Theron’s performances and the emotional charge between them. [Read](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2008/07/07/desperate-men)
- **The AV Club**, Tasha Robinson (B+): Robinson finds Hancock an original, daring mix of superhero action, comedy, and tragedy, though its pieces do not entirely add up. She praises its lively humor and heroics, along with the surprise of seeing a familiar superhero genre take an unexpected turn. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/hancock-1798204535)
- **Screen Daily**, Brent Simon (64/100, inferred): The critic’s verdict is unavailable because the review text is behind a paywall. The accessible page does not reveal what the critic praises or criticizes. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/hancock/4039580.article)
- **RogerEbert.com**, Roger Ebert (2.5/4): Ebert finds the film entertaining at first but increasingly muddled as it goes on. He praises its irreverent humor, while faulting the story for losing focus. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/hancock-2008)
- **Radio Times**, Stella Papamichael (3/5): The review is moderately positive, enjoying Will Smith’s turn as the disreputable superhero. It singles out the inspired comedy of Hancock’s drunken antics as a strength. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-1z2iyj/hancock/)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, Stephen Farber (60/100, inferred): Farber finds the film uneven, with a promising comic setup that gives way to muddled storytelling. He praises Will Smith’s charisma and acting, alongside the strong supporting performances and eye-catching effects. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/hancock-review-125025/)
- **Total Film**, Total Film (3/5): The review finds Hancock better than its troubled production history suggests, with a cracking first half and a solid second. It praises Will Smith’s barbed comic performance and the film’s cruel humor, while faulting the second half’s murky mythology and rushed climax. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/hancock-review/)
- **Slant Magazine**, Nick Schager (2/4): Schager finds the film initially intriguing but ultimately illogical and rushed. He praises Smith’s charming performance, while criticizing the revelations that derail the story. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/hancock/)
- **Empire**, Kim Newman (40/100, inferred): Newman finds the film uneven, caught between superhero parody and conventional drama. He praises Jason Bateman’s sweet, earnest performance but faults the story’s lack of coherence. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/hancock-review/)
- **Time Out**, Dave Calhoun (2/5): Calhoun gives the film a poor two-star verdict. The visible standfirst singles out its rough-edged, alcohol-fueled superhero premise by comparing it with Superman III. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/hancock)
- **The Guardian**, Mark Kermode (35/100, inferred): Kermode finds Hancock promising but ultimately disappointing as it retreats into conventional superhero spectacle. He praises Peter Berg’s handling of the film’s edgy opening half-hour, but faults its later loss of confidence. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2008/nov/30/mark-kermode-review-hancock-meet-dave)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Kenneth Turan (30/100, inferred): Turan finds the film promising at first but ultimately bizarre and unsatisfying. He praises Will Smith’s charisma and the cleverness of the initial superhero concept, while faulting the abrupt, convoluted plot turn that derails it. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-hancock1-2008jul01-story.html)
- **Variety**, Todd McCarthy (30/100, inferred): McCarthy finds the film’s promising superhero premise squandered by weak storytelling and increasingly illogical plot turns. He praises the effects as snazzy, while faulting the shaky visual style and underdeveloped scenario. [Read](https://variety.com/2008/film/reviews/hancock-1200508860/)
- **Eye for Film**, Jennie Kermode (68/100, inferred): Kermode finds the film entertaining and more fun than expected, despite its weak villain and uneven pace. She particularly praises Will Smith’s subtle performance and Jae Head’s impressive turn. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/hancock-film-review-by-jennie-kermode)
- **Paste**, Paste Staff (65/100, inferred): The critic finds the film imperfect but ultimately charming and more than a routine blockbuster. They praise its humorous genre riffs and willingness to embrace bizarre plot twists. [Read](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/will-smith/hancock)
- **Den of Geek**, Simon Brew (2/5): Brew finds the film muddled and uneven, criticizing its failure to resolve its shifting tone or deliver a satisfying ending. He praises some effects work and occasional strong sequences, while noting Charlize Theron is on good form. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/hancock-review/)
- **Digital Spy**, Simon Reynolds (20/100, inferred): The critic calls the film a curious failure that never settles on a consistent tone. They single out its shift into laboured melodrama as the key reason it unravels. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a104723/hancock/)

## Details

- **Director:** Peter Berg
- **Director:** Peter Berg
- **Writer:** Vincent Ngo, Vince Gilligan
- **Cinematography:** Tobias A. Schliessler
- **Editor:** Paul Rubell, Colby Parker, Jr.
- **Music:** John Powell
- **Production design:** Neil Spisak
- **Costume design:** Louise Mingenbach
- **Producer:** Will Smith, Akiva Goldsman, James Lassiter
- **Cast:** Will Smith as John Hancock; Charlize Theron as Mary; Jason Bateman as Ray; Jae Head as Aaron; Eddie Marsan as Red; David Mattey as Man Mountain; Maetrix Fitten as Matrix; Thomas Lennon as Mike
- **Runtime:** 1h 32m
- **First release (RU):** 19 June 2008
- **Genres:** Fantasy, Action
- **Budget:** $150 million
- **Box office:** $629 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vexi9xLS-bQ

## Where to watch in Thailand

- Netflix: streaming
- Apple TV: rent ฿99.00, hd
- Apple TV: buy ฿449.00, hd

*Checked 2026-10-05.*

Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, ID, IE, IL, IN, IS, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PE, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, TH, TR, UA, US, VN, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## If you liked this

- *Super* (2010): Another badly adjusted would-be hero, with harsher violence and fewer consolations.
- *The Incredibles* (2004), Fi1m 88: Superhero duties collide with domestic frustrations in a much more disciplined comedy. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-incredibles.md)
- *Colossal* (2016): Drinking and destructive behaviour acquire monstrous consequences, with more attention to character.
- *The Return of Captain Invincible* (1983): A disreputable superhero gets another chance, with songs complicating his rehabilitation.
- *They Call Me Jeeg* (2015): An unlikely hero finds that new powers do little for old habits.

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/hancock