John Q. is a 2002 American thriller drama film starring Denzel Washington, with co-stars Robert Duvall, Kimberly Elise, Anne Heche, James Woods, and Ray Liotta, directed by Nick Cassavetes. The story follows John Quincy Archibald, a father who takes hostages at a hospital in a desperate attempt to save his son's life when he is denied a transplant due to insurance issues.