The Beekeeper (2024 film)

In rural Massachusetts, retired school teacher Eloise Parker lives alone but shares a warm friendship with Adam Clay, a quiet beekeeper who works in her barn. One day, Eloise falls for a phishing scam that bankrupts her and steals her life savings, including more than $2 million from a charity she runs; devastated, she commits suicide. Adam discovers her body, and FBI agent Verona Parker, Eloise's daughter, arrests him. After being cleared and released, Adam contacts a mysterious group called the "Beekeepers" for information to locate those responsible and avenge Eloise; after some searching, they trace the scammers to a call center near Springfield run by Mickey Garnett.

Adam storms the call center, assaults Mickey's men, and burns it down. Mickey's boss, Derek Danforth, instructs Mickey to kill Adam, who brutally kills Mickey's men at the barn and severs some of Mickey's fingers with a bandsaw. Mickey escapes and calls Derek to warn him about Adam, but Adam catches Mickey and kills him by tying him to his truck and sending it off a bridge, before picking up Mickey's phone and warning Derek that he is his next target. Derek alerts Wallace Westwyld, a former CIA director serving as the head of security for Danforth Enterprises, Derek's tech firm. Recognizing Adam as a former Beekeeper, Wallace alerts current CIA director Janet Harward, who dispatches Anisette, a current Beekeeper, to kill him. Anisette ambushes Adam at a gas station, but he defeats her in a fight, burns her to death, and blows up the station; the Beekeepers promptly declare neutrality.

Verona and her partner, Matt Wiley, anticipate that Adam's next target is the Nine Star United Center in Boston, which oversees Derek's global scam call centers. Wallace rallies a black ops team led by Pettis. He briefs them on the Beekeepers, an elite clandestine human intelligence organization tasked with protecting the United States by any means while operating above and beyond governmental jurisdiction, with an organizational culture inspired by worker bees in a beehive. Pettis's team deploys to secure Nine Star and kill Adam. Still, tensions with an FBI SWAT team outside and manager Rico Anzalone's refusal to evacuate create confusion that allows Adam to incapacitate the SWAT team, kill Pettis and his men, and interrogate Anzalone. Verona and Wiley pursue Adam, who disarms Wiley and escapes.

Verona and Wiley learn Derek is the son of Jessica Danforth, the current President of the United States, and warn FBI deputy director Jackson Prigg that Adam may attempt to kill her for Derek's misdeeds. Wallace sends Derek to accompany Jessica at their coastal mansion, which is protected by anti-Beekeeper mercenaries, as Beekeepers cannot harm the President's close associates. Still, Adam infiltrates the mansion during a party. After being spotted, Adam fights his way through the mercenaries and the Secret Service Counter Assault Team, while Jessica and Prigg confront Derek, who admits to abusing Wallace's CIA algorithms to rig Jessica's election. When Jessica threatens to reveal his crimes to the public, an enraged Derek shoots Prigg and prepares to execute Jessica, but Adam shoots him in the head and flees as Verona and Wiley arrive. Verona pursues Adam and holds him at gunpoint, but ultimately decides to let him go. Grateful, Adam nods at Verona before fleeing to the beach, where he dons his buried diving gear and disappears into the sea.

{{Cast listing|

• Jason Statham as Adam Clay, a highly skilled assassin known as a Beekeeper who has retired to live a quiet life
• Emmy Raver-Lampman as Verona Parker, Eloise's daughter working as an FBI agent who investigates Adam
• Josh Hutcherson as Derek Danforth, CEO of Danforth Enterprises and the leader of an international scamming ring
• Bobby Naderi as Matt Wiley, an FBI agent and Verona's partner
• Minnie Driver as Janet Harward, the CIA Director
• David Witts as Mickey Garnett, the manager of the call center that scammed Eloise
• Michael Epp as Pettis, leader of the tactical team hired to protect the Nine Star United Center
• Taylor James as Lazarus, a South African mercenary experienced in killing Beekeepers who leads the Danforths' mercenary guards
• Jemma Redgrave as Jessica Danforth, President of the United States and Derek's mother
• Enzo Cilenti as Rico Anzalone, the manager of the Nine Star United Center
• Phylicia Rashad as Eloise Parker, a retired school teacher and Adam's close friend
• Don Gilet as Jackson Prigg, Deputy Director of the FBI
• Jeremy Irons as Wallace Westwyld, the former CIA Director, now head of security for Danforth Enterprises
• Megan Le as Anisette Landress, a psychotic amateur Beekeeper tasked with killing Adam

}}

In August 2021, it was announced that Jason Statham would star in the film for Miramax and would also serve as a producer through his company Punch Palace Productions.{{cite web|last=D'Alessandro|first=Alexander|url=https://deadline.com/2021/08/jason-statham-to-star-in-miramax-movie-the-bee-keeper-1234823345/|title=Jason Statham To Star In Miramax's 'The Bee Keeper'|date=August 27, 2021|access-date=May 21, 2023|website=Deadline Hollywood|archive-date=May 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521190522/https://deadline.com/2021/08/jason-statham-to-star-in-miramax-movie-the-bee-keeper-1234823345/|url-status=live}} David Ayer signed on to direct in May 2022.{{cite web|last=Wiseman|first=Andreas|date=May 5, 2022|url=https://deadline.com/2022/05/jason-statham-david-ayer-suicide-squad-beekeeper-movie-miramax-cannes-1235017464/|title='Suicide Squad' Filmmaker David Ayer To Direct Jason Statham In Miramax's Action Pic 'The Beekeeper' — Cannes Market Hot Package|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=May 21, 2023|archive-date=November 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221118042341/https://deadline.com/2022/05/jason-statham-david-ayer-suicide-squad-beekeeper-movie-miramax-cannes-1235017464/|url-status=live}}

Principal photography ran in England from September to December 2022.{{cite web|date=December 6, 2022|title=2022 film and high-end TV productions shooting in the UK: latest updates|url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/2022-film-and-high-end-tv-productions-shooting-in-the-uk-latest-updates/5171504.article|access-date=March 14, 2023|website=Screen Daily|archive-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107172517/https://www.screendaily.com/news/2022-film-and-high-end-tv-productions-shooting-in-the-uk-latest-updates/5171504.article|url-status=live}} Locations included Tyringham Hall{{cite news|last=Morton|first=Dennis|date=October 21, 2023|title=Video shows Jason Statham filming blockbuster movie in small Milton Keynes village|url=https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/read-this/video-shows-jason-statham-filming-blockbuster-movie-in-small-milton-keynes-village-3888450|access-date=March 13, 2023|newspaper=Edinburgh News|archive-date=March 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314001624/https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/read-this/video-shows-jason-statham-filming-blockbuster-movie-in-small-milton-keynes-village-3888450|url-status=live}} and the Kingsferry Bridge.{{Cite web |last=McPolin |first=Sean |date=November 1, 2022 |title=Jason Statham pictured filming for Hollywood film on Kingsferry Bridge |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/sheerness/news/jason-statham-pictured-on-set-of-hollywood-movie-276283/ |access-date=December 5, 2024 |website=Kent Online |archive-date=November 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111183827/https://www.kentonline.co.uk/sheerness/news/jason-statham-pictured-on-set-of-hollywood-movie-276283/ |url-status=live }} In preparation for the film's opening scenes, Statham learned several methods of beekeeping and interacted with real bees.{{cite web |last1=Mathai |first1=Jeremy |title=There's Nothing Fake About The Bees In Jason Statham's The Beekeeper |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/1493207/beekeeper-jason-statham-real/ |website=Slashfilm |access-date=June 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116023509/https://www.slashfilm.com/1493207/beekeeper-jason-statham-real/ |archive-date=January 16, 2024 |date=January 15, 2024 |url-status=live}}

MGM acquired the film's distribution rights in the United States in August 2022.{{cite web|title=Jason Statham-David Ayer Action Pic 'The Beekeeper' Pre-Bought By MGM For U.S. & Some Of International|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Andreas|last=Wiseman|date=August 31, 2022|access-date=September 9, 2022|url=https://deadline.com/2022/08/suicide-squad-david-ayer-jason-statham-beekeeper-mgm-miramax-1235104064/|archive-date=September 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220909045852/https://deadline.com/2022/08/suicide-squad-david-ayer-jason-statham-beekeeper-mgm-miramax-1235104064/|url-status=live}} In February 2023, Sky Cinema acquired the rights in the United Kingdom, with StudioCanal handling the U.K. theatrical release on behalf of Sky Cinema.{{cite web|title=Jason Statham-David Ayer Action Film 'The Beekeeper' Sells To UK|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Andreas|last=Wiseman|date=February 20, 2023|access-date=February 27, 2023|url=https://deadline.com/2023/02/jason-statham-david-ayer-movie-beekeeper-sky-uk-1235264786/|archive-date=February 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220083306/https://deadline.com/2023/02/jason-statham-david-ayer-movie-beekeeper-sky-uk-1235264786/|url-status=live}} It was released by Amazon MGM Studios on January 12, 2024.{{cite web|last=Hipes|first=Patrick|date=October 4, 2023|title=The Beekeeper Trailer: Jason Statham And David Ayer Action Movie Flying Toward January Release|url=https://deadline.com/video/the-beekeeper-trailer-poster-jason-statham-david-ayer/|access-date=October 4, 2023|website=Deadline Hollywood|archive-date=October 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011194525/https://deadline.com/video/the-beekeeper-trailer-poster-jason-statham-david-ayer/|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|last=White|first=James|title=Jason Statham Proves Vengeance Stings In The Beekeeper Trailer|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/jason-statham-unleashing-vengeance-in-the-beekeeper-trailer/|magazine=Empire|access-date=October 4, 2023|date=April 10, 2023|archive-date=October 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010085339/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/jason-statham-unleashing-vengeance-in-the-beekeeper-trailer/|url-status=live}}

The Beekeeper was released on VOD and digital platforms on January 30, 2024, followed by a release on DVD, Blu-ray & UHD Blu-ray on April 23, 2024.{{cite web|last=Brueggemann|first=Tom|date=February 5, 2024|title=From Migration to The Beekeeper, VOD Charts Suggest Viewers Are Willing to Wait for Lower Rental Prices|url=https://www.indiewire.com/news/box-office/migration-the-beekeeper-vod-viewers-wait-for-lower-prices-1234951184/|access-date=March 2, 2024|website=IndieWire|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302221821/https://www.indiewire.com/news/box-office/migration-the-beekeeper-vod-viewers-wait-for-lower-prices-1234951184/|archive-date=March 2, 2024|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=DeVore|first=Britta|date=March 6, 2024|title=Have You Heard the Buzz? 'The Beekeeper' Is Coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray|url=https://collider.com/the-beekeeper-4k-uhd-release-date/|access-date=June 10, 2024|website=Collider|archive-date=December 1, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241201180246/https://collider.com/the-beekeeper-4k-uhd-release-date/|url-status=live}}

The Beekeeper grossed $66.2{{nbsp}}million in the United States and Canada, and $96.4{{nbsp}}million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $162.6{{nbsp}}million,{{Cite Box Office Mojo |access-date=2024-04-20 }} against a budget of "$40{{nbsp}}million or less".{{cite web |title='Mean Girls' Drives $100 Million Box Office Weekend, but It May Be the Last One Until March |first=Tom |last=Brueggemann |date=January 14, 2024 |website=IndieWire |url=https://www.indiewire.com/news/box-office/mean-girls-the-beekeeper-100-million-box-office-weekend-1234943553/ |access-date=February 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240301113715/https://www.indiewire.com/news/box-office/mean-girls-the-beekeeper-100-million-box-office-weekend-1234943553/ |archive-date=March 1, 2024 |url-status=live}}

In the United States and Canada, The Beekeeper was released alongside Mean Girls and The Book of Clarence, and was projected to gross $17–19 million from 3,303 theatres in its opening weekend.{{cite magazine|last=Rubin|first=Rebecca|date=January 10, 2024|title=Box Office: Mean Girls Aims for Grool $30 Million Over Holiday Weekend|url=https://variety.com/2024/film/box-office/box-office-mean-girls-musical-opening-weekend-estimates-1235866227/|access-date=January 10, 2024|magazine=Variety|archive-date=January 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110185701/https://variety.com/2024/film/box-office/box-office-mean-girls-musical-opening-weekend-estimates-1235866227/|url-status=live}} It made $6.7 million on its first day, including $2.4 million from Thursday night previews. It went on to debut to $16.6 million, finishing second behind Mean Girls.{{cite web|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|date=January 14, 2024|title=Winter Storm Gerri Doesn't Cramp 'Mean Girls' Style As Musical Heads For $32M Opening – Sunday Update|url=https://deadline.com/2024/01/box-office-mean-girls-mlk-2024-1235726596/|access-date=January 14, 2024|website=Deadline Hollywood|archive-date=January 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112155513/https://deadline.com/2024/01/box-office-mean-girls-mlk-2024-1235726596/|url-status=live}} The film made $8.5 million in its second weekend and $6.7 million in its third weekend, remaining in second at the box office.{{cite web|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|date=January 20, 2024|title='Mean Girls' Has Edge During First Weak Weekend Of 2024 – Saturday Box Office|url=https://deadline.com/2024/01/box-office-mean-girls-weak-winter-weekend-1235799017/|access-date=January 21, 2024|website=Deadline Hollywood|archive-date=January 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130133101/https://deadline.com/2024/01/box-office-mean-girls-weak-winter-weekend-1235799017/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|date=January 29, 2024|title='Mean Girls' Smacks Down 'Beekeeper' After Fierce Battle During Weak Weekend – Monday Box Office Update|url=https://deadline.com/2024/01/box-office-mean-girls-beekeeper-1235806489/|access-date=January 29, 2024|website=Deadline Hollywood|archive-date=January 27, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127185236/https://deadline.com/2024/01/box-office-mean-girls-beekeeper-1235806489/|url-status=live}} It spent its first eight weeks in the Top 10 at the domestic box office.{{cite web |title=The Beekeeper {{!}} Domestic Weekly |website=Box Office Mojo |publisher=IMDb |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2912715521/weekly/?ref_=bo_rl_tab#tabs |access-date=2024-04-20 |archive-date=March 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327181742/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2912715521/weekly/?ref_=bo_rl_tab#tabs |url-status=live }}

{{RT prose|71|5.9|182|Cheerfully undemanding and enjoyably retrograde, The Beekeeper proves that when it comes to dispensing action-thriller justice, Statham hasn't lost his sting.|ref=yes|access-date={{RT data|access date}}}} {{MC film|53|36|ref=yes|access-date=November 23, 2024}} Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale.{{Cite magazine |last=Murphy |first=J. Kim |date=2024-01-13 |title=Box Office: 'Mean Girls' So Fetch With $11.6 Million Opening Day, 'Beekeeper' Buzzing in Second |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/box-office/mean-girls-musical-opening-day-beekeeper-jason-statham-1235870885/ |access-date=2024-04-29 |magazine=Variety }}

A review in The Guardian says the non-shooting scenes are rushed and both Rashad and Driver are underused, and describes it as "a solid, low-stakes, medium-reward new year's effort".{{cite news|last=Lee|first=Benjamin|date=January 11, 2024|title=The Beekeeper review – Jason Statham's John Wick is serviceable schlock|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/jan/11/beekeeper-movie-review-jason-statham|access-date=January 18, 2024|work=The Guardian|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=January 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118235210/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/jan/11/beekeeper-movie-review-jason-statham|url-status=live}} Matt Zoller Seitz of RogerEbert praised the film's various aspects, including its range of villains, but regretted: "It's a real shame that The Beekeeper isn't the righteous trash masterpiece that it keeps threatening to turn into."{{cite web|last=Seitz|first=Matt Zoller|date=January 11, 2024|title=The Beekeeper movie review & film summary (2024)|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-beekeeper-movie-review-2024|access-date=January 18, 2024|website=RogerEbert.com|archive-date=January 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118235210/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-beekeeper-movie-review-2024|url-status=live}} John Nugent of Empire magazine said that Statham is "as gruffly convincing as he usually is (though it's 20 minutes before he's even allowed to kick any ass)" but called the action scenes "horribly inconsistent" and noted that "you do have to put up with quite a lot of stuff about bees".{{Cite web |last=Nugent |first=John |date=2024-11-01 |title=The Beekeeper Review |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/the-beekeeper/ |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=Empire }}

In February 2025, it was announced that a sequel was in the works, with Timo Tjahjanto set to direct.{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=2025-02-27 |title=Jason Statham Returning For ‘The Beekeeper 2’, Timo Tjahjanto Directing For Miramax |url=https://deadline.com/2025/02/jason-statham-beekeeper-2-timo-tjahjanto-1236303712/ |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}

{{Reflist}}

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