--- title: "The Bourne Legacy" year: 2012 kind: "film" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-bourne-legacy" fi1m_score: 54 critics_score: 51 critics_reviews: 22 published: "2026-09-19T12:37:23.097840+00:00" updated: "2026-09-19T12:37:23.819272+00:00" region: "US" 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." --- # The Bourne Legacy (2012) Directed by Tony Gilroy · 2h 15m · MPA PG-13 · Action, Thriller **Fi1m score: 54** · Critics 51 from 22 reviews *In a sentence:* Jason Bourne is elsewhere, so the grown-ups sit in an office for two hours and talk about him > Tony Gilroy has the actors, the cameraman and a good final chase, and he spends the first ninety minutes explaining a programme nobody asked about. Renner and Weisz make it watchable; the film around them is a briefing with a motorbike chase attached. ## Synopsis Aaron Cross (Jeremy Renner) is alone in the Alaskan wilderness, swimming frozen rivers and counting his pills. He is an agent of Outcome, a programme that sharpens its people chemically, and he is heading for a cabin where another Outcome man (Oscar Isaac) is waiting out the cold. In Washington, Jason Bourne has put Treadstone on the front page, and a programme manager called Byer (Edward Norton) decides Outcome must be shut down along with everyone in it. A drone finds the cabin. In a Maryland laboratory, Dr. Marta Shearing (Rachel Weisz), who has spent years dosing agents she has never met, watches a colleague lock the doors and take out a gun. Cross wants his medication and a way out; Byer wants nobody left to ask about either. ## Review Tony Gilroy wrote all three of the Bourne films that starred Matt Damon, and *The Bourne Legacy* is what he made when Damon and director Paul Greengrass did not come back for a fourth. His answer is a sideways step: keep the world, lose the man. Aaron Cross (Jeremy Renner) belongs to Outcome, a programme running alongside Treadstone, and when Bourne’s exposure of Treadstone threatens to bring everything else down with it, Byer (Edward Norton) starts killing his own people to keep it quiet. That is a workable idea for a thriller. The trouble is that Gilroy has decided to explain it, at length, before anything else is allowed to happen. The first hour crosscuts between Cross in Alaska, Marta Shearing (Rachel Weisz) in her laboratory and a great many men in shirtsleeves in rooms full of screens. Gilroy is good at rooms; [*Michael Clayton*](https://film.one/film/michael-clayton) was mostly rooms. Norton plays Byer as a tired administrator who believes what he is doing is necessary and takes no pleasure in it, and Stacy Keach, as Turso, gets to be blunt where Norton is careful. But the dialogue keeps circling the same four facts: there is a programme, there are pills, the pills are dangerous, the programme must go. We were bored, and then we were irritated about it, because we could see how much talent was waiting outside the door. When the film does go outside, Robert Elswit shoots it in clean wide frames rather than the shaken handheld the series became known for under Greengrass. The Alaskan passages have real cold in them: Cross hauling himself out of a river, a cabin under grey light, a drone circling over white ground. John Gilroy cuts these sequences with patience, holding a shot long enough for us to read the landscape before something arrives in it. It is a different idea of how a Bourne film should look, and a defensible one. The scene in Marta’s laboratory is the best thing in the film, and we will say only that it comes early and that it is horrible. A colleague locks a door. The camera stays with Weisz’s face as she works out what is happening, and James Newton Howard’s score does almost nothing, which is the right call. We were frightened in a way the chases never manage, because for once nobody on screen has been trained for what is in front of them. It shows Gilroy can do this when he lets the talking stop. Renner and Weisz keep the middle upright. Renner plays Cross as rougher and chattier than Bourne, quick with a sour joke and plainly worried about his own head, and he sells the odd premise that the hero’s overriding goal is a refill. Weisz, given a scientist who has spent years dosing people she never met, does the guilt without speeches. Their scenes together in her house and on the road are the warmest in the film, and if Gilroy had trusted them with more of the running time he would have a better picture. Oscar Isaac has one good scene in a cabin. Joan Allen, David Strathairn, Scott Glenn and Albert Finney turn up for a line or two each and serve mainly to remind you of films you liked more. Then Manila. The motorbike chase through its streets is long, fast and staged with real skill, Elswit low behind the wheels and John Gilroy cutting on the movement. Kevin Thompson’s production design is at its best here, in a city of concrete, tin and traffic pressed close enough to touch. It is what the whole film has been saving up for. It is also a good deal longer than it needs to be, and by its last minutes we had stopped feeling anything except a mild wish for it to finish. At 135 minutes the film runs the length of a Bourne picture with about half the action of one. Against the series’ own standards it is the weakest of the four, and against Gilroy’s own it is a script that would have been shorter if someone else had been directing it. The reviews so far are split down the middle, and we can see both halves. If watching Edward Norton run a meeting is your idea of an evening, and there are evenings for that, the first hour is for you. Everyone else will want one of the Damon three. *Fi1m score 54, published 19 September 2026.* ## What the critics say The reviews split almost evenly, with more negative notices than positive and a large middle ground of mild disappointment. Where critics agree, it is on the cast: Jeremy Renner is widely credited with a committed, rougher lead performance, and Rachel Weisz is singled out alongside him for keeping the film human. The Manila motorbike chase near the end is the one set piece named again and again as the film doing what the series promises. The complaints cluster just as tightly. Most critics find the film weighed down by exposition about the agency’s inner workings, with too little action and a plot that leans heavily on the previous trilogy; the absence of Matt Damon is felt throughout. The spread is wide: the Los Angeles Times calls it an exemplary thriller worthy of its predecessors, while The Telegraph finds it overlong and close to parody. The warmest notices come from American outlets; the British press is largely unimpressed. ### Reviews we read (22) - **Los Angeles Times**, Kenneth Turan (85/100, inferred): The critic calls it an exemplary espionage thriller that lives up to its predecessors, praising its complex plotting, resonant emotional moments, and impeccable cast including Renner, Weisz, and Norton. Gilroy expands the Bourne universe effectively while maintaining the franchise's cool intelligence. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-xpm-2012-aug-09-la-et-mn-bourne-legacy-review-20120810-story.html) - **Screen Daily** (85/100, inferred): Swapping in Renner for Damon and expanding the narrative to a parallel story, the film delivers smart action kicks as a fantastic, well-constructed piece of pop entertainment with an air of erudite emotional remove. Strong performances root and elevate it, with mystery, danger, scheming, and action in balanced order. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/the-bourne-legacy/5045085.article) - **Film Comment**, John Wildman (70/100, inferred): The critic notes that the film works against lowered expectations for a fourth entry without Matt Damon, crediting Gilroy's direction and Renner's charismatic lead performance alongside Weisz. It delivers grounded acting and adrenaline-fueled action while keeping the franchise's spirit alive as an effective bridge. [Read](https://www.filmcomment.com/blog/review-the-bourne-legacy/) - **Radio Times**, Alan Jones (3/5): After a convoluted opening that confusingly links to the earlier films, the director picks up the pace in this smaller-scale but well-crafted thriller. Highlights include a tense shoot-out and a motorbike chase finale through Manila's streets. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-tbx8gz/the-bourne-legacy/) - **The New Yorker**, David Denby (60/100, inferred): The critic finds the film enjoyable with strong set pieces like the motorcycle chase but notes it lacks the continuous momentum of prior entries and feels more conventional. Without Matt Damon, the series loses much of its soul and emotional depth despite Renner's capable performance. [Read](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2012/08/13/running-men) - **Vulture**, David Edelstein (60/100, inferred): The film has a botched opening, limp ending, and uneven action but delivers a paranoid rush in the middle, particularly through one well-executed sequence and Rachel Weisz's performance. It leans on franchise familiarity for its appeal despite cynical execution. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/2012/08/movie-review-the-bourne-legacy.html) - **Slant Magazine**, Jaime N. Christley (55/100, inferred): The movie is silly and mostly a standard spy caper with only one truly thrilling sequence, but it benefits from strong office scenes, Jeremy Renner's swaggering lead performance, and Gilroy's pictorial style over frenetic action. It struggles to maintain integrity in its third act. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-bourne-legacy/) - **The Times** (50/100, inferred): The critic finds the film workmanlike rather than game-changing, with too much exposition over action. They single out the thrilling Manila chase sequence for praise but note a corny ending. [Read](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/the-bourne-legacy-053nmp2n0tm) - **Time Out**, Nigel Floyd (45/100, inferred): The film shares DNA with the earlier Bourne movies but draws from the shallower end of the gene pool; Renner's committed performance helps but the genetically enhanced character is harder to identify with than Damon's. Action scenes are competently staged but the plot contortions and exhausting climax raise doubts about creative sustainability. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-bourne-legacy-1) - **Little White Lies**, Adam Lee Davies (4/2/1): The critic finds the film dismal and inessential, over-conceptualized with too much exposition and reliance on the prior trilogy, resulting in a talky, confusing entry light on action. Renner tries hard but the film wastes time justifying its existence and features uninspired set pieces. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/the-bourne-legacy) - **Variety**, Peter Debruge (40/100, inferred): The critic finds the sequel overlong with too little action and an unnecessarily complicated plot, criticizing the shift away from the protagonist in favor of backroom dealings. Renner lacks Damon's magnetism, and the film frustrates rather than engages until a rushed final reel. [Read](https://variety.com/2012/film/reviews/the-bourne-legacy-1117948003/) - **Empire**, Ian Nathan (30/100, inferred): The film is a sideways sequel that feels ham-fisted and weighed down by exposition, failing to capture the essence of the previous Bourne entries with Jeremy Renner in the lead role. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/bourne-legacy-review/) - **Evening Standard** (30/100, inferred): Without Matt Damon and Paul Greengrass the film lacks soul and fails to engage despite technically sound action sequences, coming across as busy but empty. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/the-bourne-legacy-review-8030704.html) - **The Guardian**, Peter Bradshaw (30/100, inferred): The critic finds the film a disappointing attempt to keep the franchise afloat, written and directed by Tony Gilroy. They single out the overly long Manila chase scene as inferior to earlier Bourne set pieces. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/aug/19/the-bourne-legacy-review) - **The Hollywood Reporter**, Todd McCarthy (30/100, inferred): The film is capable but uninspired, with the series legacy lessened by familiarity, an insufficiently conceived lead character, and excessive backstory. It maintains the tone and look but delivers diminished visceral excitement compared to prior entries. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/bourne-legacy-film-review-358482/) - **The Telegraph**, Patrick Smith (25/100, inferred): The critic finds the film overlong, overly complicated and veering towards parody. They single out the lack of intelligence compared to predecessors and the absence of Matt Damon's charisma. [Read](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/9464027/Bourne-Legacy-first-review.html) - **/Film**, Germain Lussier (7/10): The film feels short despite its length due to limited action, which is exciting when it arrives, but it prioritizes expository information and character setup over thrills in a manner more like Gilroy's earlier films than the Bourne series. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/522201/the-bourne-legacy-review-light-action-lots/) - **HeyUGuys**, Adam Lowes (3.5/5): The film is a well-made standalone action thriller that ties into the previous Bourne story in an imaginative way but lacks the propulsive narrative and self-discovery arc of earlier entries, with too much exposition before the action delivers. [Read](https://www.heyuguys.com/the-bourne-legacy-review/) - **Digital Spy**, Stella Papamichael (3/5): The critic sees Renner as a natural, rougher action hero who fits the ground-level thrills, with brisk pacing and a successful Manila chase. The film feels like a thinner photocopy of the originals, lacking depth in character isolation or drug effects. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a398808/the-bourne-legacy-review-jeremy-renner-a-natural-born-action-hero/) - **Collider**, Matt Goldberg (5.7/10): The critic finds the film flabby and forgettable, criticizing its pacing and lack of focus, while praising Jeremy Renner's performance as the standout element. [Read](https://collider.com/the-bourne-legacy-review/) - **The Wrap**, Alonso Duralde (40/100, inferred): The film suffers from franchise fatigue, with far too much tedious exposition about the spy program's inner workings and not enough of the signature action. The stunt sequences that do appear are thrilling and on par with the earlier entries, and Jeremy Renner and Rachel Weisz deliver solid performances. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/bourne-legacy-review-no-seriously-cut-chase-51451/) - **Den of Geek**, Ryan Lambie (2 out of 5): The critic finds the film exposition-heavy and talky, with repetitive dialogue and poor pacing that saps the energy of prior entries despite solid action set pieces. Renner and Weisz deliver strong, humane performances that make it just about watchable. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-bourne-legacy-review/) ## Details - **Director:** Tony Gilroy - **Director:** Tony Gilroy - **Screenplay:** Tony Gilroy, Dan Gilroy - **Story:** Tony Gilroy - **Cinematography:** Robert Elswit - **Editor:** John Gilroy - **Music:** James Newton Howard - **Production design:** Kevin Thompson - **Producer:** Frank Marshall, Patrick Crowley, Lope V. Juban Jr. - **Cast:** Jeremy Renner as Aaron Cross; Rachel Weisz as Dr. Marta Shearing; Edward Norton as Byer; Stacy Keach as Turso; Dennis Boutsikaris as Ward; Oscar Isaac as Outcome #3; Joan Allen as Pamela Landy; Albert Finney as Dr. Albert Hirsch - **Runtime:** 2h 15m - **Certificate (MPA):** PG-13 - **Release (the US):** 10 August 2012 - **Genres:** Action, Thriller - **Budget:** $130 million - **Box office:** $277 million - **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDrSA1gTuKc ## Where to watch in the US - Starz: streaming - The Roku Channel: add-on, hd, leaving 2026-10-01 - Apple TV: add-on, hd - Amazon Prime Video: add-on, uhd - Amazon Prime Video: rent $3.99, uhd - Apple TV: rent $3.99, hd - Amazon Prime Video: buy $14.99, uhd - Apple TV: buy $14.99, hd *Checked 2026-09-19.* Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, ID, IE, IL, IN, IS, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, TH, TR, UA, US, VN, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country. ## Awards - SAG Awards 2013: Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture (nominated) ## If you liked this - *The Bourne Ultimatum* (2007), Fi1m 85: Gilroy’s script, Greengrass’s camera, Damon’s face: everything this one is missing — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-bourne-ultimatum.md) - *Michael Clayton* (2007), Fi1m 86: Gilroy directing men in rooms, and here the rooms are the whole point — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/michael-clayton.md) - *Three Days of the Condor* (1975), Fi1m 80: Redford on the run from his own employers, without any pills — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/three-days-of-the-condor.md) - *Hanna* (2011): Another laboratory child loose in the world, with a better sense of humour - *Ronin* (1998), Fi1m 80: Frankenheimer’s car chases through France; the plot matters less than the driving — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/ronin.md) --- © 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/the-bourne-legacy