IMDb Out Of Time Rating Still Surprises Critics Today

Last Updated: Written by Miguel A. Siqueira
imdb out of time rating still surprises critics today
imdb out of time rating still surprises critics today
Table of Contents

IMDb Out of Time: What Is the Score and Why Is It Debated?

The 2003 Denzel Washington thriller Out of Time holds an IMDb rating of 6.5/10 based on approximately 71,000 user votes, with a Metascore of 63 and a 65% Rotten Tomatoes score. This score feels debated because critics and audiences widely consider the film underrated-a stylish, twisty neo-noir that flopped commercially ($55 million gross on a $50 million budget) but deliverselectrifying chemistrybetween Washington, Eva Mendes, and Sanaa Lathan.

Key Facts About "Out of Time" (2003)

Attribute Value
IMDb Rating 6.5/10 (71K votes)
Rotten Tomatoes 65% (146 reviews, 6.4/10 average)
Metascore 63/100
Release Date October 3, 2003
Runtime 1h 45m
MPAA Rating PG-13 (re-rated from R)
Director Carl Franklin
Box Office $55 million (budget: $50 million)

Why the IMDb Score Feels Controversial

The debate stems from agap between critical receptionand the film's actual quality as a hidden gemin Washington's filmography. Screen Rant calls it "one of his best movies"despite being unjustly overlookedupon release. CrimeReads labels it "one of the most underrated crime films of the 21st Century"withmood for milesand a rare trick of cinema that keeps stakes high without ruining the viewer's enjoyment.

imdb out of time rating still surprises critics today
imdb out of time rating still surprises critics today
  • Underrated performance:Washington delivers some of his best work without awards recognition, showing desperation and cool under pressure
  • Talented cast:Eva Mendes, Sanaa Lathan, Dean Cain, and John Billingsley form atremendous supporting ensemble
  • Strong direction:Carl Franklin's smooth, energetic direction elevates the genre piece with Latin jazz/calypso score by Graeme Revell
  • Twisty mystery:The plot keeps audiences guessing as Whitlock races to clear his name while evidence points to him as the killer

Plot Summary: What Is "Out of Time" About?

Matthias "Matt" Lee Whitlock (Denzel Washington) is the respected Chief of Policein fictional Banyan Key, Florida, navigating a divorce from homicide detective Alex Diaz Whitlock (Eva Mendes) while secretly seeing Anne Merai-Harrison (Sanaa Lathan). After lending Anne $450,000 from a drug bust for terminal cancer treatment, a suspicious house fire kills both Anne and her abusive husband Chris (Dean Cain), making Matt theprime suspectin a double homicide.

  1. Matt executes a successful drug bust turning up $550,000 in cash
  2. Anne reveals terminal cancer and needs $500,000 for Swiss treatment
  3. Matt bends rules, lending her $450,000 from seized drug money
  4. A house fire kills Anne and Chris; circumstantial evidence points to Matt
  5. DEA demands serial number check on the money; Matt's erratic response raises suspicion
  6. Twist: Anne planned the entire scheme; Alex (ex-wife) kills Anne to save Matt
  7. Matt is cleared when the missing money reappears; divorce dropped

How "Out of Time" Compares to Other Denzel Washington Thrillers

Film Year IMDb Rating Rotten Tomatoes Metascore
Training Day 2001 7.7/10 73% 70
Out of Time 2003 6.5/10 65% 63
Man on Fire 2004 7.7/10 39% 47
Inside Man 2006 7.6/10 87% 76
The Equalizer 2014 7.2/10 62% 57

While Training Dayand Inside Manscore higher, Out of Timeremains a fun and stylish thrillerif you can get past contrivances, according to Rotten Tomatoes consensus.

Everything you need to know about Imdb Out Of Time Rating Still Surprises Critics Today

What is the IMDb rating for Out of Time 2003?

The IMDb rating is 6.5/10based on approximately 71,000 user votes as of 2026.

Why is Out of Time considered underrated?

It flopped commercially ($55M gross on $50M budget) and received modest critical scores, but featureselectrifying chemistrybetween leads, smart direction by Carl Franklin, and one of Washington's best unacknowledged performances.

Who directed Out of Time and who else did they work with?

Carl Franklindirected, previously collaborating with Washington on Devil in a Blue Dress, an adaptation of Walter Mosley's Easy Rawlins novel.

Where can I stream Out of Time now?

As of December 2025, Out of Timeis streaming on Prime Video.

What is the MPAA rating for Out of Time?

Originally rated R, it wasre-rated PG-13by the MPAA for sexual content, violence, and some language.

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Policy Researcher

Miguel A. Siqueira

Miguel A. Siqueira is a policy researcher and former editor at Educare Brasil, where he led investigations into governance structures within Marist-affiliated networks.

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