“Dredd” (2012) is a science fiction action film directed by Pete Travis and written by Alex Garland. The film stars Karl Urban, Olivia Thirlby, and Lena Headey.

Set in a dystopian future where much of North America has become a wasteland known as the Cursed Earth, the story takes place in Mega-City One, a massive, crime-ridden metropolis where chaos and lawlessness are rampant. The only force of order in the city is the Judges, who serve as judge, jury, and executioner.

The plot centers around Judge Dredd (Karl Urban), one of the most feared and respected Judges. He is tasked with evaluating a rookie, Judge Cassandra Anderson (Olivia Thirlby), who has powerful psychic abilities. On their first assignment together, they respond to a brutal crime in a 200-story slum tower controlled by the ruthless drug lord Ma-Ma (Lena Headey).

Ma-Ma and her gang are distributing a new, reality-altering drug called Slo-Mo, which makes the user’s perception of time appear to slow down. When Dredd and Anderson arrest one of Ma-Ma’s top enforcers, she locks down the building and orders her henchmen to kill the Judges. Trapped and outnumbered, Dredd and Anderson must fight their way through the building, dispensing justice and attempting to survive against overwhelming odds.

“Dredd” is praised for its gritty, visceral action sequences, stylish visuals, and faithful adaptation of the comic book character from the “Judge Dredd” series. Karl Urban’s performance as the stoic and uncompromising Dredd, combined with Olivia Thirlby’s portrayal of the empathetic and powerful Anderson, adds depth to the narrative. The film stands out for its intense, tightly-paced storytelling and its unique take on the dystopian action genre. Despite modest box office success, it has garnered a strong cult following and critical acclaim for its uncompromising and faithful representation of the source material.