Shaft

JJ Shaft, a tech-savvy MIT grad who codes for a living, wants to prove his chops on his own terms. When his closest friend dies in suspicious circumstances, he realizes that a clean digital read of the case might miss something big. The call comes from the past as his father, John Shaft, returns to guide him through a world where street smarts and high tech collide. Together they plunge into Harlem's dangerous maze of drugs, power and underground deals, mixing old school toughness with modern wit. The film keeps the pace brisk with snappy one liners, stylish set pieces and a buddy vibe as father and son test each other while chasing a perilous truth.

Directed by Tim Story, Shaft 2019 blends the original character created by Ernest Tidyman with a contemporary voice from Kenya Barris and Alex Barnow, keeping the Shaft legacy intact while delivering a new father son dynamic for a modern audience.

Box office numbers show a modest performance, with worldwide gross of $21,360,215 against a $30,000,000 budget. The film found its audience in late summer crowds and fans of the Shaft franchise but fell short of blockbuster status in most markets.

Though not a runaway hit, the film renews interest in the Shaft lineage and keeps Samuel L Jackson at the center of a blend of humor and action. It nods to the franchise's past while mixing in modern dialogue, tech tropes, and a streetwise sensibility that resonates with loyal viewers.

Critics offered mixed responses, praising the cast chemistry and high-energy set pieces while noting formulaic jokes and familiar action beats. The film foregrounds themes of family, legacy, and responsibility, asking whether past legends can adapt to a more complex, modern world. It points to possibilities for a watchable continuation ahead.