Marauders is a 2016 American crime movie directed by Steven C. Miller and written by Michael Cody and Chris Sivertson. The film features actors Christopher Meloni, Bruce Willis, Dave Bautista, and Adrian Grenier. In the movie, Meloni plays an FBI agent who investigates a series of violent bank robberies that appear to be specifically targeting a harsh CEO portrayed by Willis. The film was released by Lionsgate Premiere on July 1, 2016.
Plot
In Cincinnati, four robbers wearing masks steal $3 million in cash from Hubert National Bank. The leader of the group shoots the bank manager, Steven Hutchinson, at close range. FBI Special Agent Jonathan Montgomery leads the investigation with help from Cincinnati police. Forensic experts find a fingerprint that matches a man named TJ Jackson, who was a soldier in the Army Rangers. According to official records, in 2011, TJ’s unit acted without permission and captured a civilian named Alexander Hubert to demand a ransom. The exchange failed, and Alexander and the Rangers were killed by a Special Forces team. TJ’s body was never found. As the only heir, Jeffrey Hubert, Alexander’s brother, became president of Hubert International. By checking the serial numbers on the stolen money, the FBI learns the robbers gave the cash to a City Mission charity.
During a second robbery at another Hubert bank location, the robbers steal cash and items from personal safe deposit boxes owned by Hubert and Ohio Senator Cook. David Dagley, a security officer for Hubert, is lured to the bank and then stabbed to death in an ambush. The killer leaves a bullet with TJ’s fingerprint on it. Dagley was the leader of the Rangers who captured Alexander Hubert but was not involved in the ransom plan. The getaway car used in the robbery is registered to TJ’s brother, James. Montgomery receives photos showing what appears to be a romantic relationship between Hubert and Cook. The robbers try to convince Montgomery to investigate Hubert for corruption.
At the third robbery, the gang attacks the Main Branch of the bank. Montgomery is leaving after an interview with Hubert when the robbers surprise him. Gun battles with high-powered rifles break out in the bank lobby as the robbers and officers fight in close quarters. One robber is killed, and the other three escape into the city traffic. It is later discovered that Hutchinson and Dagley were members of an elite military group that worked with Senator Cook.
Montgomery receives a stolen file from Hubert that reveals a plan to commit murder and cover up a military crime. The information leaks to the media, exposing the truth: Hubert and Cook had conspired to stop Alexander from taking control of the company. They gave the Rangers false mission details about a terrorist threat in Costa Rica. The Rangers were then attacked by a Special Forces team, who did not know the Rangers were innocent. TJ was the only survivor and was saved by Wells, a Special Forces sniper.
After his assets are frozen, Hubert quickly withdraws large amounts of cash in secret to leave the country. The FBI tracks TJ to a concert and arrests him. It is revealed that FBI Special Agent Wells is the leader of the robbers, and three members of the Special Forces team who attacked TJ’s unit are also involved. Wells planned the robberies as revenge for the deaths of the Rangers. Detective Mims, who recalls a key detail from a map, predicts Wells is the thief and arrives as Wells prepares to leave with the stolen money. Tormented by guilt and the news that his wife has a terminal illness, Mims pleads with Wells to return the stolen money and make amends. Wells tries to talk to Mims but kills him when Mims raises his weapon.
Later, Montgomery tracks Hubert to Tijuana, Mexico. He finds Wells preparing to kill Hubert in a restaurant and tells him that the stolen money would not bring anyone back but that many people are suffering because of Wells’ actions. Montgomery sits with Hubert, drinks wine, and stabs Hubert with a hidden knife. Wells shoots Hubert’s bodyguard, exchanges a glance with Montgomery, and leaves.
Cast
- Christopher Meloni as FBI Special Agent Jonathan Montgomery
- Bruce Willis as Jeffrey Hubert
- Dave Bautista as FBI Agent Stockwell
- Adrian Grenier as FBI Special Agent Wells
- Texas Battle as Ranger T.J. Jackson
- Johnathon Schaech as Detective Brian Mims
- Lydia Hull as FBI Special Agent Lydia Chase
- Tyler Jon Olson as Detective Zach Derohan
- Christopher Rob Bowen as Bradley Teegan
- Danny A. Abeckaser as Detective Antonio Leon
- Richie Chance as Command Officer David Dagley
- Tara Holt as Reporter Vanessa Adler
- Carolyn Alise as Martha
- Chris Hill as James Jackson
- Jesse Pruett as Carl, The Bartender
Production
On September 9, 2015, it was announced that Steven C. Miller would direct a bank robbery film titled Marauders, based on a script written by Michael Cody and Chris Sivertson. The film would feature actors Bruce Willis, Christopher Meloni, and Dave Bautista. Emmett/Furla/Oasis Films would help fund and produce the film, while Lionsgate Premiere would handle its release. Additional actors in the film include Lydia Hull, Tyler Olson, Christopher Rob Bowen, and Danny A. Abeckaser. Randall Emmett and George Furla would produce the film through Emmett/Furla/Oasis Films, with Joshua Harris and Rosie Charbonneau producing through 4th Wall Entertainment. On September 25, 2015, Adrian Grenier joined the cast.
Main filming for the movie began on September 25, 2015, in Cincinnati, Ohio. The first day of filming took place at the Dixie Terminal building. On September 26, 2015, scenes were filmed at the Stock Yard Bank & Trust, which was changed into Hubert National Bank for the movie. Additional filming occurred in Downtown Cincinnati and Over-the-Rhine from September 25 through October 16, 2015.
Release
Lionsgate Premiere released the film on July 1, 2016. As of February 7, 2026, the movie Marauders earned $1,024,158 in Portugal, Argentina, China, and the Netherlands, and earned $1,209,418 from home video sales.
Reception
According to the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 22% of 23 critics gave the film positive reviews, with an average score of 4.1 out of 10. The website's summary states: "From its overused story to Bruce Willis' predictable performance, Marauders is a crime thriller that aims to be just okay but rarely succeeds." Metacritic, which calculates scores using a weighted average, gave the film a rating of 42 out of 100 based on 6 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.
Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter described the film as a "predictable B-movie" with slow pacing and a complicated story. Owen Gleiberman of Variety noted that the film's complex plot becomes harder to follow as the story progresses because the explanations are not believable.