In this third installment of the Has Fallen franchise, Secret Service agent Mike Banning (Gerard Butler) finds himself on the defensive when he's framed for a drone strike targeting President Allan Trumbull (Morgan Freeman) during a fishing retreat. As he goes on the run to clear his name, the story delves deeper into Banning’s personal life—his health struggles, family ties, and hidden vulnerabilities
Gerard Butler delivers reliably intense action sequences—hand-to-hand combat, explosive chases, and a dramatic hospital showdown—though the script offers few surprises The highlight is Nick Nolte as Banning's off-the-grid father, whose offbeat performance injects humor and unexpected warmth into the narrative . Morgan Freeman brings steady gravitas as the betrayed president
Critics describe the plot as “tired” and “unimaginative,” churning through predictable twists and clichéd setups . Despite some thematic touches—like Banning’s battle with migraines, PTSD, and family reconciliation—the narrative never fully engages emotionally
-
Critics were mostly underwhelmed: the film holds a 38% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 45/100 average on Metacritic
-
Audience scores are modestly better—CinemaScore gave it an "A–", but many still view it as mainly forgettable fun
Angel Has Fallen continues the franchise's signature brand of high-stakes action fueled by Butler’s relentless heroics and Nolte’s standout father-son dynamic. But while the action dazzles and emotional beats surface, the overall experience lacks freshness—relying heavily on familiar beats and genre conventions. It’s a solid popcorn flick, but it doesn’t elevate the series.
