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Dredd

Dredd is a 2012 science fiction action film based on the Judge Dredd comic strip from 2000 AD.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Dredd is a 2012 science fiction action film based on the Judge Dredd comic strip from 2000 AD. Directed by Pete Travis and written and produced by Alex Garland, it stars Karl Urban as Judge Dredd and Olivia Thirlby as Judge Anderson in a violent future city called Mega-City One.

Plot

The film follows Judge Dredd and rookie Judge Anderson as they investigate a drug epidemic tied to the synthetic drug Slo-Mo. Their mission traps them inside a fortified high-rise controlled by Ma-Ma, forcing them into a prolonged conflict for survival.

Production

Dredd was directed by Pete Travis and written and produced by Alex Garland. It is based on the Judge Dredd comic strip from 2000 AD, created by John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra.

Cast and characters

Karl Urban portrays the title character, Olivia Thirlby portrays Judge Anderson, and Lena Headey portrays Ma-Ma. Supporting roles include figures connected to the criminal organization controlling the block.

Release

The film premiered in the United Kingdom on 7 September 2012 and received a wider release on 21 September 2012. It was also released in Germany on 15 November 2012.

Key facts

  • The film is a reboot-style adaptation of the Judge Dredd comics rather than a direct sequel to the 1995 film Judge Dredd.
  • Karl Urban plays Judge Dredd, a law enforcer who acts as judge, jury, and executioner in Mega-City One.
  • Olivia Thirlby plays Judge Anderson, Dredd's rookie partner with psychic abilities.
  • Lena Headey plays Ma-Ma, the film's principal antagonist and a drug lord controlling a high-rise block.
  • The story centers on Dredd and Anderson trying to survive and restore order inside a 200-storey apartment block.
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Canadian context

Dredd was released internationally, including in Canada, as part of the 2012 theatrical rollout of a major English-language science fiction film based on a long-running British comic property.

Frequently asked questions

What is Dredd about?
It follows Judge Dredd and rookie Judge Anderson as they confront a drug war inside a 200-storey housing block controlled by the crime lord Ma-Ma.
Is Dredd based on a comic?
Yes. It is based on the Judge Dredd comic strip from 2000 AD, created by John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra.
Who stars in Dredd?
Karl Urban stars as Judge Dredd, Olivia Thirlby as Judge Anderson, and Lena Headey as Ma-Ma.
Who directed Dredd?
Pete Travis is credited as the director, while Alex Garland wrote and produced the film.
When was Dredd released?
It opened in the United Kingdom on 7 September 2012 and was released worldwide on 21 September 2012.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dredd
    Supports: Basic film identification, director, writer, cast, source material, release dates, and plot overview.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1343727/
    Supports: Film premise, cast, runtime, and genre classification.
  3. Wikipedia (German) — https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dredd
    Supports: Director, cast, and German release information.
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/dredd
    Supports: Genre classification, rating, and synopsis.
  5. FilmAffinity — https://www.filmaffinity.com/es/film927187.html
    Supports: Year of release and title.
  6. Wikipedia — https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judge_Dredd_(film)
    Supports: Context that Dredd is a 2012 reboot/remake relative to the 1995 Judge Dredd film.