Marauders is a 2016 American crime movie directed by Steven C. Miller and written by Michael Cody and Chris Sivertson. The movie stars Christopher Meloni, Bruce Willis, Dave Bautista, and Adrian Grenier. In the film, Meloni plays an FBI agent who is investigating a series of violent bank robberies. These robberies appear to be targeting a harsh CEO, played by Bruce Willis. Lionsgate Premiere released the movie on July 1, 2016.
Plot
In Cincinnati, four masked robbers steal $3 million in cash from Hubert National Bank. The robbers' leader shoots the bank manager, Steven Hutchinson, at close range. FBI Special Agent Jonathan Montgomery leads the investigation with the Cincinnati Police Department. Forensic experts find a fingerprint that matches a deceased Army Ranger named TJ Jackson. According to official records, in 2011, TJ's unit captured a civilian named Alexander Hubert to demand a ransom. The rescue attempt 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 tracing the serial numbers on the stolen money, the FBI learns the robbers donated the cash to a City Mission charity fund.
During a second robbery at another Hubert bank location, the robbers steal cash and items from personal safe deposit boxes belonging to Hubert and Ohio Senator Cook. David Dagley, a security officer for Hubert, is lured to the bank and 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 did not participate in the ransom plan. The getaway car is found to be registered to TJ's brother, James. Montgomery receives evidence showing a possible romantic relationship between Hubert and Cook. The robbers try to convince Montgomery to investigate Hubert's illegal activities.
At the third robbery, the gang attacks the Main Branch. Montgomery is escorted out after an interview with Hubert. Gun battles with high-powered rifles break out in the lobby as the robbers fight the officers. One robber is killed, and the others escape into the city. Investigations reveal that Hutchinson and Dagley were former members of an elite military unit with Senator Cook.
Montgomery receives a stolen file from Hubert that details a secret plan to commit murder and cover up a military incident. The information leaks to the media, revealing that Hubert and Cook conspired to stop Alexander from taking over the company. They gave the Rangers false mission details about a terrorist threat in Costa Rica. The Rangers were then labeled as rogue agents and attacked by a Special Forces team unaware of their innocence. TJ was the only survivor and was saved by Wells, a Special Forces sniper.
With his financial assets frozen, Hubert makes large cash withdrawals to leave the country. The FBI locates TJ at a concert venue and arrests him. FBI Special Agent Wells is identified as the leader of the robbery crew. Three members of the Special Forces who attacked TJ's unit are also involved. Wells planned the heists as revenge for the deaths of the Rangers. Detective Mims, recalling a key detail from a map, predicts Wells' involvement and arrives as Wells prepares to leave with the stolen money. Feeling guilty and knowing his wife has a serious illness that can't be cured, Mims begs Wells to return the stolen money and make amends. Wells tries to reason with 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. Montgomery tells Wells that the stolen money won't bring back the dead but that many people suffer from his actions. Montgomery sits at Hubert's table, drinks wine, and stabs Hubert with a hidden knife. Wells shoots Hubert's bodyguard, exchanges a glance with Montgomery, and leaves.
Cast
- Christopher Meloni plays FBI Special Agent Jonathan Montgomery
- Bruce Willis plays Jeffrey Hubert
- Dave Bautista plays FBI Agent Stockwell
- Adrian Grenier plays FBI Special Agent Wells
- Texas Battle plays Ranger T.J. Jackson
- Johnathon Schaech plays Detective Brian Mims
- Lydia Hull plays FBI Special Agent Lydia Chase
- Tyler Jon Olson plays Detective Zach Derohan
- Christopher Rob Bowen plays Bradley Teegan
- Danny A. Abeckaser plays Detective Antonio Leon
- Richie Chance plays Command Officer David Dagley
- Tara Holt plays Reporter Vanessa Adler
- Carolyn Alise plays Martha
- Chris Hill plays James Jackson
- Jesse Pruett plays Carl, The Bartender
Production
On September 9, 2015, it was announced that Steven C. Miller would direct a movie called Marauders, which is based on a script written by Michael Cody and Chris Sivertson. The film would feature Bruce Willis, Christopher Meloni, and Dave Bautista in starring roles. Emmett/Furla/Oasis Films would finance and produce the film, while Lionsgate Premiere would release it. Lydia Hull, Tyler Olson, Christopher Rob Bowen, and Danny A. Abeckaser would also appear in the film. Randall Emmett and George Furla would produce the film through Emmett/Furla/Oasis Films. Joshua Harris and Rosie Charbonneau would also produce through 4th Wall Entertainment. On September 25, 2015, Adrian Grenier joined the cast.
Principal 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 shot at the Stock Yard Bank & Trust, which was used as a set for Hubert National Bank. Additional filming occurred in Downtown Cincinnati and the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood through October 16.
Release
Lionsgate Premiere made the film available 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
On the review website Rotten Tomatoes, 22% of 23 critics gave positive reviews, with an average score of 4.1 out of 10. The site’s summary states: "The movie has an overused story and an uninspired performance by Bruce Willis. It 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 score of 42 out of 100 based on 6 critics, showing "mixed or average" reviews.
Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter described the film as a "typical B-movie" with slow pacing and a confusing plot. Owen Gleiberman of Variety noted that the movie’s complicated story becomes harder to follow as it progresses because the explanations are not believable.