Denzel Washington’s The Book of Eli Quietly Hits Even Harder Today

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Denzel Washington, a two-time Oscar winner, rarely appears in science fiction films. Out of his extensive filmography of over 60 movies, only three fall into the sci-fi category, and most weren’t particularly memorable – with the exception of one. His most recent venture into the genre, over 15 years ago, is widely considered his strongest sci-fi performance. While The Book of Eli didn’t initially succeed with audiences or critics, it’s since gained a dedicated following and is now considered a cult classic, standing out as one of Washington’s most underrated roles.

Despite featuring Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman, and Mila Kunis, the film The Book of Eli is generally considered a box office disappointment, earning only slightly more than its production cost and receiving a lukewarm 46% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This is surprising given the star power involved and the directors, Albert and Allen Hughes, had previously worked on well-regarded films like From Hell, Dead Presidents, and Menace II Society. The script wasn’t the problem either, as it was penned by Gary Whitta, known for his excellent work on Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and The Walking Dead: A Telltale Game Series. Many believe the film simply arrived too early and didn’t find its audience at the time.

The Book of Eli Is Much Better Than its Rotten Tomatoes Score Suggests

The movie The Book of Eli is set 30 years after a devastating nuclear war in the United States. Denzel Washington plays Eli, a lone traveler making his way across the ruined landscape to the West Coast. He stops in a rundown town and encounters Carnegie, a powerful and ambitious man who quickly realizes Eli possesses something incredibly valuable: the last known copy of a Bible. Since all other Bibles were destroyed after the war, Carnegie is determined to take it by any means necessary, hoping to use it to build and control his own religion. Eli’s mission is to deliver this precious book to a safe haven in California.

Washington portrays his character with his usual calm, controlled, and enigmatic style, while also hinting at a hidden pain. This is a strong contrast to Oldman’s boisterous, flamboyant, and lecturing performance, and their differing approaches create a compelling dynamic between their characters.

Denzel Washington showcased a remarkably physical side in The Book of Eli, performing all his own stunts and fight choreography. He underwent rigorous training with Dan Inosanto, a renowned martial artist and protégé of Bruce Lee, to prepare for these demanding scenes.

The film’s twist isn’t just a momentary shock; it genuinely enhances the story. Instead of feeling forced, it deepens the plot and makes the villain’s reveal more satisfying. This ultimately leads to a more emotionally resonant and powerful final act and ending.

The Book of Eli Is More Poignant Than Ever Today

At its heart, The Book of Eli explores the enduring power of faith and knowledge, even after a devastating nuclear war. Carnegie, a ruthless leader, aims to control others by exploiting religion and limiting access to books. When Eli carries the last existing Bible towards a potential safe haven, he threatens Carnegie’s plan to dominate and manipulate people through controlling information. Though the film centers on the Bible, it’s fundamentally about the dangers of erasing or distorting history – a problem that remains very relevant today. Those in power frequently try to rewrite the past to advance their own interests and maintain control.

In a world where the truth is often distorted by those in power and the media, understanding history and recognizing repeating patterns is crucial. The film The Book of Eli highlights this, showing that preserving knowledge – specifically, religious texts after a widespread destruction – is paramount. This isn’t just important for the main character, Eli, but as demonstrated by Carnegie’s desire for control and his self-serving goals, protecting history and belief systems is the ultimate priority.

While Carnegie is the film’s primary villain, he only controls a tiny, struggling community. If there are others like him leading small settlements throughout the country, a nation cut off from its past would quickly see these leaders develop their own self-serving plans. They’d present these plans as original, and twist them to justify their authority.

Considering over 10,000 books are currently banned in the U.S., stories like The Book of Eli – and even older ones – should be seen as warnings about the dangers of censorship, rather than just thrilling science fiction.

The Book of Eli Will Get a Chance in Front of Today’s Audience

Despite the 2010 movie not being a financial or critical success, people still appreciate its story and themes, leading to a new TV series prequel for The Book of Eli. The original directors are returning as producers, and Gary Whitta will be writing the story, which will explore the events of the nuclear apocalypse and Eli’s backstory.

So far, the only actor confirmed for the series is John Boyega, who will play a younger version of Eli. Boyega is well-known for his work in science fiction, with notable roles in films like Star Wars, They Cloned Tyrone, and Attack the Block. He’s an excellent fit to play a younger version of Denzel Washington’s character.

John Boyega revealed in 2024 that he’s involved in a prequel series to the film The Book of Eli, but details like where it will stream or when it will be released haven’t been announced yet. You can currently rent the original The Book of Eli movie on platforms like Amazon and Apple TV.

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2025-11-08 07:11