A major recurring complaint is the script's lack of realism. Critics found it hard to believe a mild-mannered community college teacher could successfully navigate the criminal underworld and outmaneuver the police.
Some reviewers found the film's message—that an ordinary man should bypass the legal system through criminal acts—to be morally questionable or "bankrupt". The Next Three Days | Rotten Tomatoes The Next Three Days
Russell Crowe's performance as a "regular joe" driven to obsession is widely praised for grounding the film’s more far-fetched moments. Elizabeth Banks is also noted for her dramatic range, though some critics felt her character was underwritten. A major recurring complaint is the script's lack of realism