View source for Elektra (2005 film)

{{short description|Superhero film by Rob Bowman}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = Elektra
| image          = Elektra teaser.jpg
| alt            = A woman dressed in red brandishes her weapons, two sai.
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| director       = [[Rob Bowman (director)|Rob Bowman]]
| producer       = {{Plainlist|
* [[Arnon Milchan]]
* Gary Foster
* [[Avi Arad]]
}}
| writer         = {{Plainlist|
* [[Zak Penn]]
* Stuart Zicherman
* [[M. Raven Metzner]]
}}
| based_on       = {{plainlist|
* {{Based on|[[Elektra (character)|Comic book characters]]||[[Frank Miller]]}}
* {{based on|[[Daredevil (film)|Motion picture characters]]|[[Mark Steven Johnson]]}}
}}
| starring       = {{Plainlist|<!-- DO NOT CHANGE, per poster billing block http://www.impawards.com/2005/elektra_ver2_xlg.html -->
* [[Jennifer Garner]]
* [[Goran Višnjić]]
* [[Will Yun Lee]]
* [[Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa]]
* [[Terence Stamp]]
}}
| music          = [[Christophe Beck]]
| cinematography = Bill Roe
| editing        = [[Kevin Stitt (film editor)|Kevin Stitt]]
| production_companies = {{Plainlist|
* [[Marvel Enterprises]]
* [[New Regency Productions]]
* Horseshoe Bay Productions
}}
| distributor    = [[20th Century Fox]]
| released       = {{Film date|2005|01|14}}
| runtime        = 97 minutes<!--Theatrical runtime: 96:45--><ref>{{cite web | url=https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/elektra-film | title=''ELEKTRA'' (12A) | work=[[British Board of Film Classification]] | date=January 7, 2005 | access-date=January 1, 2016 | archive-date=March 6, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306000709/http://bbfc.co.uk/releases/elektra-film | url-status=live }}</ref>
| country        = {{Plainlist|
* Canada
* United States
}}
| language       = English
| budget         = $43–65 million<ref name="mojo" /><ref name="numbers">{{cite web |title= Elektra (2005) - Financial Information |website= [[The Numbers (website)|The Numbers]] |url= https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Elektra |access-date= April 1, 2019 |archive-date= August 12, 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230812231439/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Elektra |url-status= live }}</ref>
| gross          = $57 million<ref name="mojo">{{cite web | title = Elektra (2005) | website = [[Box Office Mojo]] | url = https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=elektra.htm | access-date = February 21, 2020 | archive-date = June 14, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190614185433/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=elektra.htm | url-status = live }}</ref>
}}

'''''Elektra''''' is a 2005 [[superhero film]] based on the [[Marvel Comics]] character [[Elektra (character)|Elektra Natchios]] and directed by [[Rob Bowman (director)|Rob Bowman]]. It is a [[Spin-off (media)|spin-off]] from the film ''[[Daredevil (film)|Daredevil]]'' (2003), with [[Jennifer Garner]] reprising her role as the titular character. The story follows Elektra, an assassin who must protect a man and his prodigy daughter from another assassin who was hired by [[The Hand (comics)|the Hand]]. [[Goran Višnjić]], [[Will Yun Lee]], [[Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa]], and [[Terence Stamp]] also star.

For the screenplay, [[Zak Penn]], Stuart Zicherman, and [[M. Raven Metzner]] received "written by" credit. [[Mark Steven Johnson]] received credit for "motion picture characters" and [[Frank Miller]] for "comic book characters". Filming started around May 2004 in [[Vancouver]].<ref>{{cite web |last= Keck |first= William |title= For '13' rollout, 'cute' sums it up |url= http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2004-04-15-13-is-cute_x.htm |work= [[USA Today]] |access-date= January 8, 2013 |date= April 15, 2004 |archive-date= December 15, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131215215751/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2004-04-15-13-is-cute_x.htm |url-status= live }}</ref>

The film was released on January 14, 2005. Upon its release, ''Elektra'' was a commercial and critical failure, grossing $57 million against a production budget of $43–65 million. It received negative reviews from critics, who found the script and storyline lacking, but many praised Garner's performance.<ref>{{cite web |date= August 6, 2016 |author= Graeme McMillan |title= Never Mind 'Suicide Squad,' Here Are the Worst 20 Superhero Movies Ever (According to Critics) |url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/worst-superhero-movies-all-time-917766 |website= [[The Hollywood Reporter]] |access-date= 2019-10-28 |archive-date= November 8, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201108131729/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/worst-superhero-movies-all-time-917766 |url-status= live }}</ref> She reprised her role as Elektra in the 2024 film ''[[Deadpool & Wolverine]]''.

==Plot==
After being killed,{{efn|As depicted in ''[[Daredevil (film)|Daredevil]]''}} [[Elektra Natchios (film character)|Elektra Natchios]] is revived by blind [[martial arts]] master [[Stick (comics)|Stick]]. He teaches her the ancient art of Kimagure, which provides its practitioners with [[precognition]] as well as the ability to resurrect the dead. Elektra is expelled from the training compound because of her inability to let go of her rage and fear of seeing her mother's killer as a child. She leaves and uses her training to become a contract killer.

Years later, Elektra's agent McCabe receives an unusually large offer from an anonymous client wishing to hire Elektra. The only stipulation: she must spend a few days in a rented home on the island where the assassination is to be performed before the names of the targets are revealed. During the wait, Elektra catches a girl named Abby trying to steal her mother's necklace. She sends her away, and later meets and befriends her father, Mark Miller. Abby invites Elektra to Christmas dinner on Mark's behalf. Elektra develops a romantic interest in Mark but learns that he and Abby are the targets she has been hired to kill. Elektra spares them and leaves, but returns in time to protect them from assassins sent by [[The Hand (comics)|The Hand]], a crime syndicate of [[ninja]] mercenaries.

Roshi, master of The Hand, learns of the failed attempt and permits his son [[Kirigi]] to lead a new team of assassins to kill Elektra and return with Abby, referred to as "The Treasure". Elektra tries to leave Abby and Mark with Stick, but he scolds her and tells her to protect them herself. She takes Mark and Abby to McCabe's country house, but is followed by Kirigi, [[Typhoid Mary (comics)|Typhoid]], [[Stone (Marvel Comics)|Stone]], Kinkou, and [[Tattoo (comics)|Tattoo]]. Elektra flees with Mark and Abby through a secret underground exit to a forest, while McCabe sacrifices himself to buy them time.

Kirigi and the assassins hunt down the trio in the forest. Elektra kills Stone, while Abby and Mark kill Kinkou with one of his own daggers. As Elektra is distracted by the revelation that Abby has martial arts skills, Typhoid gives Elektra the "Kiss of Death". Abby is captured by Kirigi. Stick and his [[Chaste (Marvel Comics)|Chaste ninjas]] arrive, forcing Kirigi, Typhoid, and Tattoo to retreat. Stick saves Elektra from death and takes them under his protection.

Stick confirms that Abby is the "Treasure", a martial arts prodigy, whom the Hand seeks to use. Elektra learns that she was a Treasure herself, resulting in her mother becoming a casualty of the fight between The Chaste and The Hand. She guesses that Stick set up the hit on Mark and Abby in order to test Elektra's propensity for compassion.

Elektra [[Astral projection|astrally projects]] herself to a meeting with Kirigi and challenges him to a fight, the winner claiming Abby for their own purpose. Elektra returns to her childhood home to face Kirigi and realizes that the horned demon who killed her mother was actually Kirigi.

Elektra is defeated by Kirigi. Abby arrives and engages him long enough for Elektra to recuperate. Elektra and Abby escape and hide in a [[hedge maze]], but Abby is captured by snakes dispatched by Tattoo. Elektra finds Tattoo and snaps his neck, releasing Abby. Elektra engages Kirigi a second time and kills him. Typhoid poisons and kills Abby, before Elektra throws her [[Sai (weapon)|sai]] at Typhoid, killing her. Elektra desperately tries to wake Abby, calms herself, lets go all of her rage, and successfully resurrects her using Kimagure.

Elektra gets ready to leave. She and Mark share one final kiss. Elektra tells Abby to live a normal life and that they each gave each other's life back. Elektra leaves, hoping that Abby will not grow up to be like her. Stick appears and points out that Elektra did not turn out so bad. Elektra bows to Stick to thank him. He bows to Elektra and disappears.

==Cast==
* [[Jennifer Garner]] as [[Elektra Natchios (film character)|Elektra Natchios]]
** Laura Ward as young Elektra
* [[Terence Stamp]] as [[Stick (comics)|Stick]]
* [[Kirsten Prout]] as Abby Miller
* [[Goran Višnjić]] as Mark Miller
* [[Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa]] as Roshi
* [[Will Yun Lee]] as [[Kirigi]]
* Chris Ackerman as [[Tattoo (comics)|Tattoo]]
* Edson T. Ribeiro as Kinkou
* [[Natassia Malthe]] as [[Typhoid Mary (character)|Typhoid]]
* [[Bob Sapp]] as [[Stone (Marvel Comics)|Stone]]
* [[Colin Cunningham]] as McCabe
* [[Hiro Kanagawa]] as Meizumi
* Jana Mitsoula as Elektra's Mother
* [[Kurt Max Runte]] as Nikolas Natchios
* [[Jason Isaacs]] as DeMarco (uncredited)

[[Ben Affleck]] reprised his role as [[Daredevil (Marvel Comics character)|Matt Murdock / Daredevil]] from ''Daredevil'' in a [[Deleted scene|deleted]] [[cameo appearance]], where he appeared to Natchios in a [[dream sequence]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a25726966/movie-cameos-fell-through-last-minute/|work=Digital Spy|title=10 amazing movie cameos that fell through at the last minute|accessdate=February 24, 2023|date=January 26, 2019|first=Tom|last=Chapman}}</ref>

==Production==
In 1987, after the success of [[Frank Miller]]'s "[[Elektra: Assassin]]", Marvel tried to adapt the graphic novel into a live-action movie. After selling the rights of Elektra to [[New Line Cinema]], Frank Miller was hired to pen a screenplay based on the graphic novel of the same name. Later on, screenwriters [[Jim McBride]] and [[L.M. Kit Carson]] were hired to write a second script. Director [[Oliver Stone]] later signed on to direct and wanted volleyball player, model, and actress [[Gabrielle Reece]] to star as Elektra. The project was cancelled after the rights to Elektra were sold to [[20th Century Fox]].{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}}

Garner reportedly did not want to do the film and only did it because she was legally required due to contractual obligations from ''[[Daredevil (film)|Daredevil]]''.<ref>{{cite web | date = January 27, 2005 | title = Jennifer Garner deemed 'Elektra' awful | work = [[San Francisco Chronicle]] | url = https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Jennifer-Garner-deemed-Elektra-awful-Penelope-2702759.php | access-date = March 30, 2019 | archive-date = June 17, 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230617003429/https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Jennifer-Garner-deemed-Elektra-awful-Penelope-2702759.php | url-status = live }}<!-- unable to find the US Weekly interview with Vartan that this is based on --></ref> The film was made during Garner's hiatus from the television show ''[[Alias (TV series)|Alias]]'', and production was limited by that timeframe.<ref name="ign-bowman" /> [[Ben Affleck]] reprised his role as [[Daredevil (Marvel Comics character)|Matt Murdock / Daredevil]] in a cameo appearance, but it was cut from the final film. The scene was included on the DVD as a deleted scene.<ref name="specialedition" />

Director [[Rob Bowman (director)|Rob Bowman]] knew going into the project that the production time was going to be short and they would be limited in what they could achieve, but thought that critics would appreciate what he was able to do with the relatively small $43 million budget. Bowman saw it not as an all action spectacle but as "a story about a character learning about compassion". He said shooting and preparation made for very long days, and as little as four hours sleep a night, and that he used "every trick in the book I had to pull that movie off in that short amount of time."<ref name="ElektraFailed">{{cite web |date=14 October 2005 |author=Tony Whitt |title=Helmer on Why Elektra Failed |url=http://www.nowplayingmag.com/content/view/2412/2/ |website=[[Now Playing (magazine)|Now Playing]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051225120821/http://www.nowplayingmag.com/content/view/2412/2/ |archive-date=2005-12-25 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

{{Anchor|Editing}}
Bowman stated that the film was "literally 12 frames of film from an R-rating" due to MPAA objections to several death scenes.<ref name="ign-bowman">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/10/31/interview-rob-bowman |title=Interview: Rob Bowman |first=Steve |last=Head |date=October 31, 2005 |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=April 1, 2019 |archive-date=March 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330055136/https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/10/31/interview-rob-bowman |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Music==
{{Infobox album
| name       = Elektra: The Album
| type       = Soundtrack
| artist     = Various artists
| cover      =
| alt        =
| released   = January 11, 2005
| recorded   =
| venue      =
| studio     =
| genre      = 
* [[Alternative rock]]
* [[alternative metal]]
* [[post-grunge]]
* [[hard rock]]
| length     =
| label      = [[Wind-up Records|Wind-up]]
| producer   = Various producers
| chronology = ''Marvel Comics'' film series soundtrack
| prev_title = [[Blade: Trinity (soundtrack)|Blade: Trinity – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]]
| prev_year  = 2004
| next_title = [[Man-Thing (film)#Soundtrack|Man-Thing: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]]
| next_year  = 2005
}}
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r724875|pure_url=yes}}|title=Elektra - The Album <nowiki>[</nowiki>Music from the Motion Picture<nowiki>]</nowiki> - Original Soundtrack|publisher=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref>
}}
'''''Elektra: The Album''''' was released in 2005 by [[Wind-up Records]]. As with many Wind-up soundtracks, almost none of the songs featured on the album were actually used in the film except for "Sooner or Later", "Wonder", "Photograph", and "Thousand Mile Wish (Elektra Mix)" with the latter three being featured during the end credits. An Ali Dee remix of [[Submersed]]'s "Hollow" also appeared in the film, but the song's original version appears on the soundtrack; The Ali Dee remix remains unreleased. The album contained several songs by artists on the Wind-Up roster that originally appeared in their respective previous albums, but aside from "Never There (She Stabs)", "Hey Kids", "Sooner or Later", "Breathe No More", "Photograph", & the original version of "Hollow", all other songs featured were either created specifically for it, or debuted here before being included in the artists' later albums. A score album was released by [[Varèse Sarabande]] containing selections of [[Christophe Beck]]'s original music from the film.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.varesesarabande.com/products/elektra |title=Elektra - Varèse Sarabande |website=Varesesarabande.com |access-date=June 21, 2016 |archive-date=July 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713141117/https://www.varesesarabande.com/products/elektra |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="liner notes">{{cite AV media notes|title= Elektra: The Album |year= 2005 |type= booklet |publisher= [[Wind-up Records|Wind-up]]}}</ref>

{{Track listing
| extra_column    = Producer(s)

| title1          = Never There (She Stabs)
| note1           = [[Strata (band)|Strata]]
| writer1         = {{hlist|Hrag Chanchanian|Eric Victorino|Adrian Robison|Ryan Hernandez}}
| extra1          = Strata
| length1         = 3:44

| title2          = Hey Kids
| note2           = [[Jet (band)|Jet]]
| writer2         = {{hlist|[[Chris Cester]]|[[Cameron Muncey]]|[[Nic Cester]]}}
| extra2          = [[Dave Sardy]]
| length2         = 2:58

| title3          = Everyone is Wrong
| note3           = [[The Donnas]]
| writer3         = {{hlist|[[Brett Anderson (American musician)|Brett Anderson]]|[[Torry Castellano]]|[[Maya Ford]]|[[Allison Robertson]]}}
| extra3          = [[Butch Walker]]
| length3         = 3:28

| title4          = Sooner or Later 
| note4          = [[Switchfoot]]
| writer4         = [[Jon Foreman|Jonathan Foreman]]
| extra4          = {{hlist|[[Charlie Peacock]]|[[John Fields (record producer)|John Fields]] {{small|(add.)}}}}
| length4         = 4:09

| title5          = Thousand Mile Wish (Elektra Mix)
| note5           = [[Finger Eleven]]
| writer5         = {{hlist|Scott Anderson|[[James Black (guitarist)|James Black]]|Sean Anderson|Rich Beddoe|Rick Jackett}}
| extra5          = [[Johnny K]]
| length5         = 4:00

| title6          = Wonder
| note6           = Megan McCauley
| writer6         = {{hlist|Marcus Rudloff|Will Baker|Pete Woodruff}}
| extra6          = {{hlist|Will Baker|Pete Woodruff|[[Neal Avron]] {{small|(add.)}}}}
| length6         = 3:53

| title7          = Your Own Disaster
| note7           = [[Taking Back Sunday]]
| writer7         = Taking Back Sunday
| extra7          = [[Lou Giordano]]
| length7         = 5:42

| title8          = Breathe No More
| note8           = [[Evanescence]]
| writer8         = [[Amy Lee]]
| extra8          = [[Dave Fortman]]
| length8         = 3:48

| title9          = Photograph
| note9           = [[12 Stones]]
| writer9         = {{hlist|Paul McCoy|Eric Weaver|Aaron Gainer|Kevin Dorr|Greg Trammell}}
| extra9          = Dave Fortman
| length9         = 3:58

| title10         = Save Me
| note10          = [[Alter Bridge]]
| writer10        = [[Mark Tremonti]]
| extra10         = [[Ben Grosse]]
| length10        = 3:27

| title11         = Beautiful
| note11          = [[The Dreaming (US band)|The Dreaming]]
| writer11        = {{hlist|[[Christopher Hall (musician)|Christopher Hall]]|The Dreaming}}
| extra11         = [[Jay Baumgardner]]
| length11        = 3:03

| title12         = Hollow
| note12          = [[Submersed]]
| writer12        = {{hlist|Donald Carpenter|TJ Davis|[[Eric Friedman]]|[[Kelan Luker]]}}
| extra12         = Don Gilmore
| length12        = 4:04

| title13         = Angels With Even Filthier Souls
| note13          = [[Hawthorne Heights]]
| writer13        = Hawthorne Heights
| extra13         = Hawthorne Heights
| length13        = 2:55

| title14         = 5 Years
| note14          = The Twenty Twos
| writer14        = {{hlist|Jenny Christmas|The Twenty Twos}}
| extra14         = [[Bryce Goggin]]
| length14        = 3:52

| title15         = In the Light
| note15          = Full Blown Rose
| writer15        = {{hlist|Seven Volpone|Walter Brandt|Bill Brandt|[[Dan Lavery]]}}
| extra15         = {{hlist|We 3 Kings|Spider}}
| length15        = 4:13
}}

==Release==
===Home media===
The [[DVD]] of ''Elektra'' was released on April 5, 2005. It featured several [[deleted scene]]s, including one featuring [[Ben Affleck]] reprising his role from ''Elektra''{{'}}s predecessor, ''[[Daredevil (film)|Daredevil]]'' (2003). It was released on VHS in May 2005.{{citation needed|date=April 2024}}

===Director's cut===
An extended and slightly refined two-disc unrated [[director's cut]] DVD was released in October 2005, featuring a cut detailed for home video release.<ref name="ElektraRedux">{{cite web |date=7 October 2005 |author=Tony Whitt |title=Bowman's Elektra Redux |url=http://www.nowplayingmag.com/content/view/2362/2/ |website=[[Now Playing (magazine)|Now Playing]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051013075957/http://www.nowplayingmag.com/content/view/2362/2/ |archive-date=October 13, 2005 |url-status=dead |access-date=March 21, 2022 }}</ref> Unlike the ''Daredevil'' director's cut which added about thirty minutes of material not in the original theatrical release, this version only changed about seven minutes of footage, extending the total runtime by just three minutes.<ref>{{cite web|author=Gerald Wurm |url=https://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=2524 |title=Elektra (Comparison: Theatrical Version - Director´s Cut ) |publisher=Movie-Censorship.com |date=2008-06-06 |accessdate=2022-08-19}}</ref> It was also criticized for poor video transfer.<ref name="specialedition">{{cite web | date = October 18, 2005 | author = Peter Schorn | title = Elektra: Unrated Director's Cut | website =[[IGN]] | url = https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/10/18/elektra-unrated-directors-cut | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20051021002651/http://dvd.ign.com/articles/659/659388p1.html | archive-date = October 21, 2005 | access-date = November 28, 2021}}</ref>

A [[Blu-ray Disc|Blu-ray]] of ''Elektra'' was released on October 19, 2009, for release in the United Kingdom and France. The US version was released on May 4, 2010. It contains only the unrated director's cut of the film.<ref>{{cite web |date=3 May 2010 |author=Cindy White |title=Elektra: Unrated Director's Cut Blu-ray Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/05/03/elektra-unrated-directors-cut-blu-ray-review |website=[[IGN]] }}</ref>

==Reception==
===Box office===
''Elektra'' opened on January 14, 2005, in the United States in 3,204 theatres. In its opening weekend, it ranked fifth, taking $12,804,793.<ref name="mojo" /> In its second weekend, it took $3,964,598, a drop of 69%.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=weekend&id=elektra.htm | title = Elektra (2005) - Weekend Box Office Results | work = [[Box Office Mojo]] | access-date = 2008-08-31 | archive-date = March 30, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190330044119/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=weekend&id=elektra.htm | url-status = live }}</ref> Domestically the total gross was $24,409,722, at the time the lowest for a film featuring a Marvel Comics character since ''[[Howard the Duck (film)|Howard the Duck]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.boxofficemojo.com/franchises/chart/?id=marvelcomics.htm | title=Marvel Comics movies | work= [[Box Office Mojo]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055238/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/franchises/chart/?id=marvelcomics.htm | archive-date=March 4, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=January 18, 2005 |author=Brandon Gray |title='In Good Company' Profits, 'Elektra' Tragic |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/article/ed2675311620/ |website=[[Box Office Mojo]] |quote=That marks the weakest debut for a Marvel Comics adaptation during the franchise's recent movie renaissance |access-date=December 12, 2020 |archive-date=August 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812231714/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/article/ed2675311620/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The film had a worldwide total of $56,681,566.<ref name="mojo" />

===Critical response===
The film received largely negative reviews from film critics. On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film has an approval rating of {{RT data|score}}, based on {{RT data|count}} reviews with an average rating of {{RT data|average}}. The site's critical consensus reads: "Jennifer Garner inhabits her role with earnest gusto, but ''Elektra''{{'s}} tone-deaf script is too self-serious and bereft of intelligent dialogue to provide engaging thrills."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/elektra|title=Elektra|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|publisher=[[Fandango Media|Fandango]]|access-date={{RT data|access date}}|archive-date=February 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170212164111/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/elektra|url-status=live}}{{RT data|edit}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film has a score of 34 out of 100 based on 35 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".<ref>{{cite web | title = Elektra (2005) | website = [[Metacritic]] | url = https://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/elektra | access-date = April 2, 2019 | archive-date = June 14, 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090614224152/http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/elektra? | url-status = dead }}</ref> Audiences surveyed by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film a grade "B" on scale of A to F.<ref name="CinemaScore">{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/fantastic-four-gets-worst-cinemascore-814137 |title='Fantastic Four' Gets Worst CinemaScore Ever for Studio Superhero Movie |last=McClintock |first=Pamela |date=August 9, 2015 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |access-date=May 10, 2022 |archive-date=May 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530153910/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/fantastic-four-gets-worst-cinemascore-814137 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Roger Ebert]] of the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' gave the film 1.5 out of 4, and wrote: "Plays like a collision between leftover bits and pieces of Marvel superhero stories. It can't decide what tone to strike."<ref>{{cite web |date= January 13, 2005 |title= Elektra Movie Review & Film Summary (2005) |author-link= Roger Ebert |first= Roger |last= Ebert |work= [[Chicago Sun-Times]] |via= RogerEbert.com |url= https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/elektra-2005 |access-date= April 1, 2020 |archive-date= April 4, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200404103707/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/elektra-2005 |url-status= live }}</ref> Helen O'Hara at [[Empire (film magazine)|''Empire'' magazine]] gave the film 2 out of 5 stars, and says "Despite oozing star quality, Garner struggles to rise above the limitations of the script."<ref>{{cite web |title= Elektra |first= Helen |last= O'Hara |date= January 1, 2000 |website= [[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]] |url= https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/elektra-review/ |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190713225947/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/elektra-review/ |archive-date= 2019-07-13 |access-date= November 28, 2021 }}</ref> Brian Lowry of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' writes: "''Elektra'' proves no more than fitfully satisfying, a character-driven superhero yarn whose flurry of last-minute rewriting shows in a disjointed plot."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2005/film/reviews/elektra-5-1200528709/ |title=Elektra |author-link=Brian Lowry |first=Brian |last=Lowry |date=January 12, 2005 |website=Variety.com |access-date=April 1, 2020 |archive-date=January 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127210717/https://variety.com/2005/film/reviews/elektra-5-1200528709/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Claudia Puig of ''[[USA Today]]'' writes "[Garner's] grace and mystical abilities make for a lonely burden, and we are supposed to feel her pain. Instead, we feel our own for having to sit through this silly movie." Puig concluded that Garner "is far more appealing when she's playing charming and adorable, as she did so winningly in ''[[13 Going on 30]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last=Puig |first=Claudia |url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2005-01-13-elektra-review_x.htm |title='Elektra' is a fight to the finish |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |date=January 13, 2005 |access-date=November 28, 2021 |archive-date=November 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128183351/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2005-01-13-elektra-review_x.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Paul Byrnes of ''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]'' explained that "if the film isn't as bad as some others in the comics-to-cinema genre ([[Halle Berry]]'s ''[[Catwoman (film)|Catwoman]]'' has rather lowered the bar), that's not to say it's good."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Byrnes|first=Paul|date=2005-01-20|title=Elektra|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/elektra-20050120-gdkixr.html|access-date=2024-10-26|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en}}</ref> Jonathan Rosenbaum of the ''[[Chicago Reader]]'' writes: "This doesn't exactly set the world on fire, but I was charmed by its old-fashioned storytelling, which is refreshingly free of archness, self-consciousness, or ''[[Kill Bill]]''-style wisecracks."<ref>{{cite web |title= Elektra |author-link= Jonathan Rosenbaum |first= Jonathan |last= Rosenbaum |website= [[Chicago Reader]] |date= January 14, 2005 |url= https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/elektra/Film?oid=1056331 |access-date= April 1, 2019 |archive-date= March 30, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190330043954/https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/elektra/Film?oid=1056331 |url-status= live }}</ref>

Director Rob Bowman was somewhat surprised by the negative reviews, he accepted the difficulty of making something with mass market appeal "Everybody likes ice cream, but not everybody likes chocolate ice cream" but acknowledged the film's shortcomings and said "if you can't handle people not liking what you do, you shouldn't be in the business".<ref name="ElektraFailed" />

===Accolades===
Jennifer Garner and Natassia Malthe were nominated for Best Kiss at the [[2005 MTV Movie Awards]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pridesource.com/article/jennifer-garner-talks-emotional-reaction-to-love-simon-her-drag-queen-hairstylist-and-the-lesbian-role-she-almost-had/ |title=Jennifer Garner Talks Emotional Reaction to 'Love, Simon,' Her Drag Queen Hairstylist and the Lesbian Role She Almost Had |first=Chris |last=Azzopardi |website=Pridesource.com |date=March 13, 2018 |access-date=April 1, 2019 |archive-date=June 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601090408/https://pridesource.com/article/jennifer-garner-talks-emotional-reaction-to-love-simon-her-drag-queen-hairstylist-and-the-lesbian-role-she-almost-had/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2005-04-05 |author=Ben Cosgrove |title=Vicious Teens And Happy Drunk Lead 2005 MTV Movie Awards Nominees |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1501233/vicious-teens-and-happy-drunk-lead-2005-mtv-movie-awards-nominees/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904185712/http://www.mtv.com/news/1501233/vicious-teens-and-happy-drunk-lead-2005-mtv-movie-awards-nominees/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 4, 2014 |website=MTV News }}</ref> Garner was nominated in the category Choice Movie Actress: Action Adventure/Thriller at the [[2005 Teen Choice Awards]].<ref>{{cite web |title= The Teen Choice Awards |publisher= [[Fox Broadcasting Company|FOX]] |url= http://www.fox.com/tca2005/nominees.htm |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060108193620/http://www.fox.com/tca2005/nominees.htm |archive-date= January 8, 2006 |url-status= dead |access-date= March 30, 2019 }}</ref>

==Legacy==
Film critic Scott Mendelson blamed the film for ruining Jennifer Garner's career, and said it killed off the notion of a female lead superhero movie for a decade.<ref>{{cite web |date=2015-07-01 |first=Scott |last=Mendelson |title=Ben Affleck Survived 'Daredevil,' But Jennifer Garner Never Recovered From 'Elektra' |website=Forbes.com |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2015/07/01/ben-afflecks-career-survived-daredevil-but-jennifer-garner-never-recovered-from-elektra/ |access-date=April 1, 2019 |archive-date=April 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422071846/http://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2015/07/01/ben-afflecks-career-survived-daredevil-but-jennifer-garner-never-recovered-from-elektra/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In March 2005, producer Avi Arad told investors that Marvel had made a mistake rushing ''Elektra'' into release. "We will never do that again," he said.<ref>{{cite web |date= March 2, 2005 |last= McClintock |first= Pamela |title= Marvel to prime pupils |url= https://variety.com/2005/film/markets-festivals/marvel-to-prime-pupils-1117918741/ |website= [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date= May 9, 2019 |archive-date= June 7, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190607040408/https://variety.com/2005/film/markets-festivals/marvel-to-prime-pupils-1117918741/ |url-status= live }}</ref> In an email released because of the [[Sony Pictures hack]], Marvel Entertainment CEO [[Ike Perlmutter]] cited ''Elektra'' as an example of an unprofitable female led superhero film. He wrote: "Very bad idea and the end result was very, very bad."<ref>{{cite web |date= May 4, 2015 |first= Laura |last= Berger |title= Marvel CEO Doesn't Believe in Female Superheroes |url= https://womenandhollywood.com/marvel-ceo-doesnt-believe-in-female-superheroes-fcdbc3d80c50/ |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150505074319/http://blogs.indiewire.com/womenandhollywood/marvel-ceo-doesnt-believe-in-female-superheroes-20150504 |archive-date= May 5, 2015 |website= Women and Hollywood |access-date=November 28, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date= May 5, 2015 |author= Eliana Dockterman |title= Marvel CEO: Female Superhero Movies Have Been a 'Disaster' |website= [[Time (magazine)|Time]] |url= https://time.com/3847432/marvel-ceo-leaked-email/ |access-date= April 1, 2020 |archive-date= September 26, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200926013956/https://time.com/3847432/marvel-ceo-leaked-email/ |url-status= live }}</ref>

In 2016, Katharine Trendacosta at [[io9]] reviewed the film and called it "somehow so much worse than you remember" and said that the version of Elektra in [[Daredevil season 2|Netflix's ''Daredevil'']] could only be an improvement.<ref>{{cite web |date=2016-03-08 |first=Katharine |last=Trendacosta |title=The Elektra Movie Is Somehow So Much Worse Than You Remember |website=Gizmodo |url=https://gizmodo.com/the-elektra-movie-is-somehow-so-much-worse-than-you-rem-1763461375 |access-date=November 28, 2021 |archive-date=November 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128183351/https://gizmodo.com/the-elektra-movie-is-somehow-so-much-worse-than-you-rem-1763461375 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Marvel Cinematic Universe ===
Elektra appears in the [[Marvel's Netflix television series]] ''[[Daredevil (TV series)|Daredevil]]'' and ''[[The Defenders (miniseries)|The Defenders]],'' portrayed by [[Élodie Yung]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Steinbeiser |first1=Andrew |title=Elodie Yung Cast As Elektra For Daredevil Season 2 |url=http://comicbook.com/2015/07/07/elodie-yung-cast-as-elektra-for-daredevil-season-2-/ |access-date=7 July 2015 |website=comicbook.com}}</ref> Jennifer Garner's Elektra appears in the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]] film ''[[Deadpool & Wolverine]]'' (2024).<ref name="GarnerDeadpool3">{{Cite web |last=Kit |first=Borys |last2=Couch |first2=Aaron |date=July 7, 2023 |title=Jennifer Garner Returning as Elektra for 'Deadpool 3' (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/deadpool-3-jennifer-garner-returning-as-elektra-1235530539/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707204642/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/deadpool-3-jennifer-garner-returning-as-elektra-1235530539/ |archive-date=July 7, 2023 |access-date=July 7, 2023 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref>

==Video game==
''Elektra'' was supposed to have a [[video game]] based on the movie with support from the comics. The game was never released, as [[video game publisher|publishers]] felt it would not be popular enough. A game based on the film was released for [[Mobile game|mobile]].<ref>{{cite web | date = June 3, 2005 | author = Avery Score | title = Elektra Review. Unless you're a fan of the Elektra continuum, there's no reason to choose this game over similar and superior offerings. | website = [[GameSpot]] | url = https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/elektra-review/1900-6126958/ | access-date = March 30, 2019 | archive-date = October 10, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201010020636/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/elektra-review/1900-6126958/ | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=28 May 2005 |author=Levi Buchanan |title=Elektra - Woof. A dog of a movie becomes a dog of a game. |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/05/28/elektra |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=December 12, 2020 |archive-date=July 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709192217/https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/05/28/elektra |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{IMDb title}}
* {{ISFDB title|id=174047|title=Elektra}}<!-- novelization -->
* {{TCMDb title|547001|Elektra}}
* {{AllMovie title}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20101122163503/http://marvel.com/movies/movie/13/elektra Elektra at Marvel.com]

{{Rob Bowman}}
{{Zak Penn}}
{{Daredevil}}
{{Marvel comics films}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Elektra (2005 Film)}}
[[Category:Superheroine films]]
[[Category:2005 films]]
[[Category:2005 action films]]
[[Category:2005 martial arts films]]
[[Category:2000s superhero films]]
[[Category:20th Century Fox films]]
[[Category:American fantasy action films]]
[[Category:American sequel films]]
[[Category:American urban fantasy films]]
[[Category:Canadian fantasy action films]]
[[Category:English-language Canadian films]]
[[Category:Daredevil (film series)]]
[[Category:2000s English-language films]]
[[Category:Films scored by Christophe Beck]]
[[Category:Film spin-offs]]
[[Category:Films based on works by Frank Miller]]
[[Category:Films directed by Rob Bowman]]
[[Category:Films produced by Avi Arad]]
[[Category:Films produced by Mark Steven Johnson]]
[[Category:Films shot in Los Angeles County, California]]
[[Category:Films shot in Vancouver]]
[[Category:Martial arts fantasy films]]
[[Category:Ninja films]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Zak Penn]]
[[Category:American superhero films]]
[[Category:Regency Enterprises films]]
[[Category:Resurrection in film]]
[[Category:Superhero drama films]]
[[Category:American Christmas films]]
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[[Category:Japan in non-Japanese culture]]
[[Category:Films produced by Arnon Milchan]]
[[Category:2000s American films]]
[[Category:2000s Canadian films]]
[[Category:Live-action films based on Marvel Comics]]
[[Category:Canadian martial arts films]]
[[Category:English-language action drama films]]