 Upon release, the film became a major failure with grossing $42 million against a production budget of $45 million as well as receiving poor reviews from critics which praised Cage's performance and the action sequences yet criticized the direction, editing and screenwriting.Joe (Cage) is a professional freelance contract killer who works strictly by the rules; never socializing outside his work, staying secluded in quiet spots, never interacting or meeting with his handlers and always leaving on time without a trace.He usually hires young pickpockets or small-time criminals as his local help, whom he usually murders after the end of the job to prevent any identification.