You know that feeling when you're scrolling through Netflix or Prime at 11:00 PM and you just want to see someone get punched? That's where Security 2017 Antonio Banderas lives. It isn't trying to win an Oscar. It isn't trying to redefine the cinematic language of the 21st century. It's basically a love letter to the 1980s "one man against an army" trope, and honestly, it’s way better than it has any right to be.
Banderas plays Eddie Deacon. He’s a vet. He’s struggling. He’s got that thousand-yard stare that only a guy who has seen too much combat—and too many direct-to-video scripts—can pull off with genuine soul.
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What Security 2017 Antonio Banderas Is Actually About
The plot is lean. Eddie is an out-of-work special services veteran who takes a soul-crushing job as a night shift security guard at a shopping mall. It's his first night. He's getting the tour from a group of quirky, under-qualified guards who look like they’ve never seen a gym, let alone a fire fight. Then, a terrified young girl bangs on the glass doors.
She's a federal witness. She's being hunted by a professional hit squad led by Ben Kingsley. Yes, Sir Ben Kingsley is the villain here. He plays Charlie, a sophisticated, cold-blooded fixer who probably spends more on his coats than most people do on their cars.
Charlie offers the guards a choice: hand over the girl and take a massive bribe, or die.
They choose to fight. It's Die Hard in a mall, but with more DIY claymore mines made from perfume bottles and hardware store supplies.
Why the casting makes the movie
Banderas is the anchor. If you put a generic action guy in this role, the movie evaporates from your brain the second the credits roll. But Banderas brings this weary, gravelly dignity to Eddie. You believe he’s tired. You believe he just wants to provide for his family. When he finally flips the switch into "warrior mode," it feels earned rather than automatic.
Then you have Ben Kingsley. He's chewing the scenery, but he's doing it with a silver fork and a linen napkin. The back-and-forth over the radio between Eddie and Charlie provides the best dialogue in the film. It's a psychological chess match happening while guys are getting kicked through drywall.
The Production Reality of Security (2017)
Let's talk logistics because people often wonder why a movie with two heavy hitters like Banderas and Kingsley feels a bit "contained."
It was filmed in Bulgaria.
Nu Boyana Film Studios in Sofia, to be exact. This is the go-to spot for Millennium Films when they want to make a $15 million movie look like a $50 million movie. Director Alain DesRochers uses the mall setting effectively. Malls are inherently creepy at night. The long corridors, the lifeless mannequins, the echoes—it creates a natural tension that masks the lower budget.
The action choreography is surprisingly crisp. It's directed by a guy who understands that we need to see the hits land. There’s a particular scene involving a mall security ATV that is both ridiculous and incredibly fun. It’s the kind of stunt work that feels practical and weighty, avoiding the floaty CGI mess that plagues bigger blockbusters.
Why Do People Keep Searching for Security 2017 Antonio Banderas?
It’s the "comfort food" factor.
In a world of complex multiverses and four-hour epics, there is a massive audience for a 90-minute siege movie. People find it on streaming platforms and realize they actually enjoy the simplicity. It’s a "Dad Movie" in the best sense.
- The Protagonist is Relatable: Eddie isn't a superhero. He's a guy who needs a paycheck.
- The Stakes are Clear: Protect the kid. Don't let the bad guys in.
- The Payoff is Cathartic: When the arrogant villains realize they’ve trapped themselves in a building with a professional soldier, the power dynamic shifts beautifully.
Critics weren't kind. It sits with a middling score on Rotten Tomatoes. But the audience scores tell a different story. Fans of the genre appreciate the craft. They appreciate that Banderas didn't phone it in. He actually learned the fight choreography. He did the work.
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The Support Cast: The Unsung Heroes
Liam McIntyre plays Vance, the "head" security guard who is clearly out of his depth but finds his backbone when things go south. His transformation from a cocky mall cop to a guy willing to hold a line is the emotional heart of the supporting cast. Then you have Katherine de la Rocha as Jamie, the girl they're protecting. She isn't just a MacGuffin; she's proactive.
The movie avoids the annoying trope of the "screaming kid who gets everyone killed." Instead, she helps. She stays quiet. She follows orders. It makes the audience actually want to see her survive.
Critical Analysis: Where the Movie Stumbles
Look, it's not perfect.
Some of the dialogue is clunky. There are moments where the henchmen behave with the tactical awareness of a bowl of soup. They walk into obvious traps. They miss shots from five feet away. But that’s the genre. If the villains were 100% competent, the movie would be twelve minutes long and everyone would be dead.
The pacing slows down a bit in the second act. There’s a lot of "preparing the defenses" footage that could have been tightened up. However, the final twenty minutes make up for it with a sustained sequence of mall-based mayhem.
How to Watch and What to Expect
If you are going into Security 2017 Antonio Banderas expecting The Godfather, you're going to be disappointed. Go into it expecting a polished, violent, and surprisingly earnest action thriller.
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- Runtime: Approximately 92 minutes. Perfect for a weeknight.
- Vibe: Gritty but not depressing.
- Key Scenes: Look out for the "toy store" sequence. It’s a clever use of the environment that reminds you why the mall setting is so iconic for action.
The film serves as a reminder that Antonio Banderas is one of our most versatile stars. He can do Almodóvar dramas, he can do Puss in Boots, and he can absolutely take down a tactical team in a shopping center.
Actionable Takeaways for Action Fans
If you've watched Security and you're looking for that specific "siege" itch to scratch, or you want to dive deeper into this era of Banderas's career, here is how to curate your next watch list.
The "Siege Movie" Starter Pack
If the "trapped in a building" vibe worked for you, check out Assault on Precinct 13 (the 1976 original or the 2005 remake). Both handle the "thin blue line" and overwhelming odds with similar grit. If you want something more modern and hyper-violent, The Raid: Redemption is the gold standard of this sub-genre.
Exploring the Banderas Action Renaissance
Banderas has a string of these types of films. Check out Acts of Vengeance (also 2017). In that one, he plays a lawyer who takes a vow of silence until he finds his daughter's killer. It’s surprisingly ব্যায়াম-focused and features some great physical acting.
Watch for the Tropes
When re-watching Security, pay attention to the "MacGyver" elements. The film succeeds because it uses the shopping mall setting—fire extinguishers, power tools, electronics—to level the playing field. It's a classic storytelling device that rewards the audience's knowledge of the setting.
The Direct-to-Video Gem Strategy
Don't ignore movies just because they didn't get a 3,000-screen theatrical release. Often, actors like Banderas or John Travolta use these projects to work with international directors who have unique visual styles. Use sites like Letterboxd to find the "hidden gems" in an actor's filmography that the mainstream critics might have missed.
Security stands as a solid example of a "B-movie" done right. It knows exactly what it is, it respects the audience's time, and it lets Antonio Banderas be a total badass for an hour and a half. Sometimes, that's all you really need.