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A Man Apart

A Man Apart is a 2003 American vigilante action thriller film directed by F.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

A Man Apart is a 2003 American vigilante action thriller film directed by F. Gary Gray and starring Vin Diesel as DEA agent Sean Vetter. The plot follows Vetter's pursuit of a drug lord known as Diablo after his wife is killed. The film was released by New Line Cinema on April 4, 2003, and received generally negative reviews. It had a Canadian theatrical release on the same date.

Plot

The film follows DEA agent Sean Vetter and his partner Demetrius Hicks as they investigate and confront a drug cartel operating along the U.S.–Mexico border. After Vetter's wife is killed in a retaliatory attack, he pursues the elusive trafficker Diablo.

Cast

The principal cast includes Vin Diesel as Sean Vetter, Larenz Tate as Demetrius Hicks, Timothy Olyphant, Geno Silva, Jacqueline Obradors, and Steve Eastin.

Release and reception

A Man Apart was released theatrically in the United States on April 4, 2003. It was not a commercial success and was reviewed negatively by critics.

Production

The film was directed by F. Gary Gray, with Vin Diesel among its producers. It was produced as a studio action film for New Line Cinema.

Key facts

  • Directed by F. Gary Gray and co-produced by Vin Diesel.
  • Vin Diesel plays Sean Vetter, an undercover DEA agent seeking revenge after his wife is murdered.
  • The story centers on a drug lord known as Diablo taking over a cartel after the arrest of its previous leader.
  • Released in the United States by New Line Cinema on April 4, 2003.
  • Grossed $44.3 million worldwide against a reported $36 million budget; critical reception was generally negative.
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Canadian context

The film had a Canadian theatrical release alongside its U.S. release date, according to non-English release summaries in the provided results.

Frequently asked questions

What is A Man Apart?
A Man Apart is a 2003 American action thriller about a DEA agent seeking revenge after his wife is killed.
Who directed A Man Apart?
The film was directed by F. Gary Gray.
Who stars in A Man Apart?
The film stars Vin Diesel, Larenz Tate, Timothy Olyphant, Geno Silva, Jacqueline Obradors, and Steve Eastin.
When was A Man Apart released?
It was released in the United States on April 4, 2003.
How was A Man Apart received?
It received generally negative reviews from critics and underperformed financially.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Man_Apart
    Supports: Director, plot premise, cast, release date, budget, and box office
  2. Turner Classic Movieshttps://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/444604/a-man-apart
    Supports: Plot synopsis and principal characters
  3. The New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/04/movies/film-in-review-a-man-apart.html
    Supports: Running time, rating, and critical reception context
  4. Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/man_apart
    Supports: Genre, release date, rating, and synopsis