The Mongoose (2026) – Liam Neeson Does What Liam Neeson Does Best
The Mongoose stars Liam Neeson as Ryan "Fang" Flanagan. It's a fun movie with lots of car chase scenes, lots of action, and some funny moments. It's not a ground-breaking movie, but it has some nice moments and I had fun watching it. Fun movie with Liam and some actors I know well from other movies, like Ving Rhames as Tanker. Fun and entertaining—that's all. I give it 6 out of 10. A few moments in the movie didn't make sense, and that's all I can complain about. But it's a fun movie, nothing to define the genre. If you want a Liam movie with lots of chase action and some funny moments, this movie delivers.
Starring Liam Neeson as Ryan "Fang" Flanagan, Marisa Tomei as Tara, Ving Rhames as Tanker, and Michael Chiklis as Pope, this action thriller is written by Thompson Evans and directed by Mark Vanselow. A war hero accused of a crime he did not commit leads police on an epic televised cross-country car chase, helped by members of his former Special Forces Army battalion, while a fascinated public cheers him on. It earned a 6/10 from me. Let's dig into the details.
The Plot: From War Hero to Fugitive
Ryan was falsely accused and chased by police, but he does not want to be caught. There's a backstory to that. The movie shows how he was captured by the Taliban in Afghanistan and what he had to live through while he was a prisoner. So while he runs from the police, there's a backstory touching on that. The movie also shows how soldiers have war trauma. It starts with Ryan at a crime scene where someone is dead, and instead of surrendering, he takes off in a Mustang Shelby Super Snake GT350 . His ex-wife Tara wants him to surrender, but Fang has already made up his mind never to be captured again due to his past as a captive . His former colleagues intervene when things get tough, and like old times, they fight and survive together. The film doesn't waste time—it starts immediately with the chase, and the past is shared through flashbacks, which works well enough .
The Action and the Chases
The car chases are the main attraction here. Liam's driving skills and determination never to give up are impressive, and the idea of moving from tarred roads to rough terrain makes it unique compared to other car movies . The action is practical—real stunts, real drifts, real crashes on highways and roads around Melbourne . That practical approach gives the film a grounded feel that CGI-heavy chases often lack. However, the action is also a bit tame in places. With the exception of a single scene, the various chases are not depicted with much flash . For a film built around a cross-country pursuit, I wanted a bit more intensity and creativity in the set pieces. The emotional beats between Liam and Marisa Tomei are solid, though—despite being separated, their connection feels genuine . The film also touches on PTSD and the trauma soldiers carry, which adds a layer of seriousness to the otherwise straightforward chase thriller.
What Worked and What Didn't
What I liked most was the fun factor. Liam Neeson is comfortable in this kind of role, and watching him get behind the wheel and refuse to go down without a fight is exactly what you expect . Ving Rhames and Michael Chiklis add solid support, and the public rooting for Fang gives the story a different flavor. The idea that the whole country is watching and cheering for a fugitive is a fun angle. But the story is weak and unoriginal, and the execution is fairly average . Some moments didn't make sense, and the film takes a while to get going . The AI talking device in the car feels like it's trying to be funny but doesn't quite land . It's not a bad film—it's just a film you've seen before, done better elsewhere.
Ratings and Critical Reception
Budget: $20 million.
The film is scheduled for release on October 30, 2026. Early reviews are mixed—some enjoy it for what it is, while others find it mediocre and unoriginal . My 6/10 sits right in the middle. It's not trying to be anything more than a Liam Neeson action movie, and for fans of that specific niche, it delivers enough. But it won't win over anyone who's tired of seeing him play the same role.
A Minor Critique
The film's biggest problem is that it plays it too safe. The story is predictable, the action is tame in places, and the emotional beats don't hit as hard as they could. The PTSD angle is there, but it feels surface-level rather than explored with real depth . There are also a few moments that don't make logical sense, which took me out of the experience. But again, these are complaints about a film that's meant to be a fun, disposable action movie. It mostly succeeds at that.
A Fun Gem for Liam Neeson Fans
At 6/10, The Mongoose is a fun, entertaining action thriller that delivers exactly what you'd expect from a Liam Neeson car chase movie. It's not ground-breaking, and it won't define the genre, but if you want to see Liam Neeson drive fast, punch bad guys, and share some screen time with Ving Rhames, this movie delivers. Dive in if you're a fan of his action work. It sparked thoughts about how war trauma shapes people and the lengths someone will go to avoid being caged again. Nothing more, nothing less—just a solid rental for a Saturday night.
What did you think of The Mongoose? Did the car chases deliver for you, or did the film feel too familiar? Drop your thoughts in the comments, and here's the big one: suggest a movie for my next review! I'm craving more action thrillers with practical stunts. If you enjoyed this post, please share to support the blog. Thanks.
See also My full list of 2026 movie reviews →
