Welcome to the Punch

On a rain-soaked night in London, a notorious thief named Jacob Sternwood slips back into the city, forcing a veteran detective named Max Lewinsky to pick up a case he thought he'd closed years ago. The city becomes a chessboard as their cat and mouse game unfolds across dim alleys, red brick streets, and emergency rooms. As Lewinsky closes in, the chase reveals long held secrets about duty and thirst for revenge, testing loyalty and judgment on both sides of the badge. Welcome to the Punch crafts a brisk, urban thriller that leans on stark visuals, practical action, and a tense moral tug of war rather than glossy set pieces. The film keeps tension tight without resorting to clichés.

Directed by Eran Creevy, Welcome to the Punch is an original British crime thriller that leans on a spare budget and a pared down, street level energy. The film pairs James McAvoy and Mark Strong in a tense urban duel.

Box office was modest, with a worldwide gross of about 3.9 million against an 8.5 million budget. The film earned most of its revenue from a restrained release strategy in Europe and select North American markets, limiting its box office footprint.

Welcome to the Punch received little in the way of major awards nominations, keeping its accolades modest. Critics highlighted the chemistry between McAvoy and Strong and the film's lean execution, while also noting a few misgivings about pacing and tonal shifts.

Critics generally acknowledged the film for its brisk pace and stark city visuals, though some found the plot thin. The central through line is a clash between duty and personal vendetta, with loyalty tested as lines between cop and criminal blur under London lights. It respects the city's rough edge while keeping character dynamics at center and texture today.