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Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
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Before the Devil Knows You're Dead

Before the Devil Knows You're Dead

2007
Drama, Suspense/Thriller
1h 57m
Needing extra cash, two brothers conspire to pull off the perfect, victimless crime. No guns, no violence, no problem. But when an accomplice ignores the rules and crosses the line, his actions trigger a series of events in which no one is left unscathed. (imdb)

Directed by:

Sidney Lumet

Screenwriter:

Kelly Masterson

Starring:

Marisa Tomei, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ethan Hawke, Rosemary Harris, Albert Finney, Brían F. O'Byrne, Michael Shannon, Adrian Martinez, Amy Ryan, Aleksa Palladino, Chris Chalk, Natalie Gold

Genres:

Drama, Suspense/Thriller, Crime

Country:

USA

Language:

English
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Before the Devil Knows You're Dead

2007
Drama, Suspense/Thriller
1h 57m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 56.52% from 3031 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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overratedoverrated
Rated 19 Jan 2010
80
90th
Right off the bat we get a sweaty PSH sex scene, and it just gets more and more harrowing.
Rated 19 Jan 2010
klausglenskiKlausGlenski
Rated 28 Aug 2008
65
37th
The story is not very original and the narrative style just does not fit to the story. Skipping between different events and times just does not make a good movie by itself. And Hoffman alone cannot make this movie better than it is. Anyways, it is still a nice movie but not one to remember for ages...
Rated 28 Aug 2008
skenkereSkenkere
Rated 23 Dec 2007
74
68th
Another "mistake sends things spiraling out of control until terribly depressing ending" kind of movie. Pretty damn bleak. Honestly, there's nothing terrifically original about it, but the performaces are just so damn good that this will stick with you for a bit longer than you expect it to. Congrats to Lumet for making another great movie.
Rated 23 Dec 2007
lupisterlupister
Rated 12 May 2014
23
22nd
There's no reason for the flashback/forward shenanigans: there's no insight or twist to it.
Rated 12 May 2014
filmfreak88filmfreak88
Rated 11 Jan 2014
65
46th
It's quite fascinating to witness how things spiral out of control in this effectively crafted thriller and the strong performances certainly help. But the film just couldn't rise above its generic trappings and labored melodrama. Marisa Tomei gets a particularly thankless throwaway role as the bored unhappy wife. To come to think of it, perhaps a strong female presence or perspective would have helped add heft to the proceedings.
Rated 11 Jan 2014
okkervilOkkervil
Rated 12 Apr 2013
78
80th
Opens with PSH going for it doggy-style and just gets better from there. It's tense, fraught and foreboding, and typically of Lumet it's impeccably put together; from every meticulously planned shot to the superb musical score. PSH, Hawke and Tomei are all excellent, and Michael Shannon's all too brief performance is absolutely fantastic. It is a little too dry and labours through some parts of the storyline at times, but is nonetheless a fitting end to Lumet's legacy.
Rated 12 Apr 2013
tonydaltonydal
Rated 09 May 2010
80
75th
Gak, what a lame title (sounds like some release circa 1970). Anyway, I will definitely not be attending any Thanksgiving dinners with these folks! lol. Interestingly convoluted structure (like the layers of an onion), and I think it worked (sort of reinforcing the horror of it all). Hawke btw looks like some Freddy Mercury lounge lizard in his disguise. Hoffman is great throughout (in a most unsympathetic role...but then, what is a sympathetic role here?!...slim pickings indeed).
Rated 09 May 2010
emtiltemtilt
Rated 08 Jun 2008
59
39th
Weak script.
Rated 08 Jun 2008
cinematicespCinematicESP
Rated 04 Mar 2008
79
46th
It's ok. For a guy that's been making movies for 50 years, it seemed a little student-film-ish to me. The achronological narrative didn't really add much to the story, and it was slightly predictable. It just seems to adhere to a lot of conventions of the genre. Performances are good though, except Marisa Tomei.
Rated 04 Mar 2008
thereeldealthereeldeal
Rated 06 Mar 2015
80
80th
For all of its acclaim of being a return to form for renowned suspense director Sidney Lumet, Before the Devil Knows You're Dead is much more than that, like many of the director's greatest films. This is superficially a well-done but archetypal crime-gone-wrong thriller, but its greater strength comes from the genuine familial drama at its core that gives weight to the crime - the very same thing crushing it. Rarely does a crime thriller evoke such sympathy. This is more of a modern tragedy.
Rated 06 Mar 2015
svnhfsvnhf
Rated 08 Aug 2013
87
85th
People are evil; they make bad choices constantly. The message here is that you have to live with these choices, no matter what; something that Hoffman's character can't handle. And with his performance here, this really carries over to the viewer. And with the great acting put in by the rest of the crew, it makes for a stunning, and very grim, film. My only gripe is the non-linear narrative which is a bit hard to swallow at first but luckily, impeccable directing makes up for that in the end.
Rated 08 Aug 2013
cmonsterCMonster
Rated 24 May 2012
84
77th
The non-linear narrative unnecessarily muddles the plot, which turns out to be ok because the film is much more about the characters than the plot. It was more stylized than the other Lumet films I've seen, not a good or a bad thing, just something to note if you go in expecting something.
Rated 24 May 2012
trixrabbiTrixRabbi
Rated 30 Jul 2011
68
25th
Superb, absolutely amazing acting. However, the script kind of lacks in any real splendor. Dark as it is, while still taking some great turns, it feels a bit lackluster in the end, with some loose ends that are never resolved. The non-linear structure also didn't feel necessary by any means. Easily could have been reworked to be linear and done without the annoying time jumps.
Rated 30 Jul 2011
gtown1479gtown1479
Rated 23 Mar 2009
88
91st
Wow. The whole storyline for this movie is just plain sick (and that's a good thing). PSH awesome as usual. Tomei is great at what she does (take that how you want to). I love the way they cut this film and how they kept going back to give you the storylines of each character. Awesome job by Lunet. What made this better for me was that I had no expectations for the film and didn't even know what it was about, so I was blown away multiple times by the twists Lumet throws at you.
Rated 23 Mar 2009
fudgiebfudgieb
Rated 04 Mar 2009
95
89th
Even if I only saw the first thirty seconds of this film, I'd have to give it at least a 93. Philip Seymore Hoffman is magnificent and the plot is pretty original.
Rated 04 Mar 2009
amerigoamerigo
Rated 11 Dec 2008
92
97th
This is probably one of the most powerful showcases of storytelling I've seen in years. What initially looks to be an ordinary heist movie quickly turns into a hyper-realistic drama. And the at first boring one-dimensional characters emerge as deep, yet fundamentally flawed human beings. Had the film not been paced in a down-the-rabbit-hole kind of way, the impact may have been less intense. But as it is now, it's mind-blowing.
Rated 11 Dec 2008
optimusmikeOptimus_mike
Rated 15 Nov 2008
85
80th
A extremely tense well made movie. Very layered and deep and even has characters you give a shit about.
Rated 15 Nov 2008
cclzaCCLZA
Rated 13 Oct 2008
75
64th
Great construction of a de-construction. The performances are uniformly superb and the naturalistic feel to it adds up to the interest.
Rated 13 Oct 2008
teddedonTedDedon
Rated 26 May 2008
78
56th
Certainly the content here is bleak but it does not get much done that other movies haven't done better before it. Mistakes spiraling out of control is a pretty common theme in movies today, and this one does it all well and good, just nothing spectacular. It's a highly recommendable movie to people who like the sort of study about characters with miserable existences. I did like this overall, and think it's an inarguably well made movie; it's just nothing out of the ordinary.
Rated 26 May 2008
kasperlKasperL
Rated 08 May 2008
40
19th
Inexplicably and somewhat frustratingly overrated. A below-average thriller.
Rated 08 May 2008
tobiaTobia
Rated 24 Apr 2008
70
61st
Meh. Same-old, same-old. The performances are good but not anyone's best, and those stupid transitions are probably the cheesiest editing choice they could have made.
Rated 24 Apr 2008
jerkagramjerkagram
Rated 18 Mar 2008
56
26th
A good but not great effort from Sidney Lumet. Hoffman is, as usual, amazing, but Ethan Hawke seemed a little miscast, and the characters were unlikeable in general, which really hurts its rewatchability, and the fragmented story-telling doesn't add nearly as much as it could have.
Rated 18 Mar 2008
mini_tMini-T
Rated 03 Feb 2008
84
52nd
A script that had potential , but i wasn't satisfied after the movie. Just didn't connect to the characters and expected more of this film. Flashbacks could have been done better. But keeps getting better and better towards the end.
Rated 03 Feb 2008
mjvmoviemanMJVmovieMan
Rated 19 Jan 2008
90
93rd
Sidney Lumet, at 83, a master-artist has crafted one of the most efficient, proficient and deeply effective thrillers of 2007. Philip Seymour Hoffman and Ethan Hawke provide amazing performances in a film that feels as throat-tightening as the similarly-themed "A Simple Plan." I thought this film was just about as great. It's one tense powerhouse of a ride, and Lumet has a nearly flawless feature here - one of the best of 2007.
Rated 19 Jan 2008
jfalldorfjfalldorf
Rated 04 Dec 2007
70
35th
Hoffman is great as usual, I just wish the screenwriter would've gave him more to work with. The story is a good idea. I just found myself checking my watch too often.
Rated 04 Dec 2007
cowfrappecowfrappe
Rated 16 Nov 2007
80
88th
Though it starts out slow, from the middle onwards, Before the Devil Knows You're Dead picks up and hooks you in. It's a brilliant character study and really a quite depressing look at humanity and its follies. Watch it for the suspense, but appreciate it for the stellar performances, especially those of Hoffman and Finney.
Rated 16 Nov 2007
nathanbatesNathanBates
Rated 23 Nov 2024
60
36th
I'm not sure starting a movie with "the ending" is the greatest screenwriting trick; I think it actually made me more fidgety and not in a good way. The performances are quite good, but I just wasn't buying into the story.
Rated 23 Nov 2024
sellissellis
Rated 18 Nov 2024
63
25th
Solid performances let down by a weak script.
Rated 18 Nov 2024
ronthedogronthedog
Rated 22 Jun 2024
84
77th
Very well done, with the downward spiral of events countered by the constant narrative shifting. What really makes though it is a raft of superb performances by the leads
Rated 22 Jun 2024
gnalkhereGnalkhere
Rated 23 Feb 2023
80
72nd
The editing bogs it down a tad for me but otherwise everyone is at the top of their game for Sidney Lumet's finale
Rated 23 Feb 2023
faveryfavery
Rated 04 Aug 2022
70
92nd
Absolutely captivating family crime melodrama. A true swan song.
Rated 04 Aug 2022
karlsonkarlson
Rated 08 Apr 2022
50
13th
It hurts to be critical on a movie that Hoffman is in - and not even that, to be critical on a movie that Hoffman is in and giving his best. Every second he's on screen is great. But that's it. Everything else is failing.
Rated 08 Apr 2022
franquelotFranquelot
Rated 07 May 2021
87
49th
interesting movie, magnificent played character by Phillip Hoffman, tense. Probably I would have arranged the dispensing of some data throughout the movie on different moments of the movie to help the 'Suspense' and give the plot twist more power. But that is just me over complaining haha. Good movie, you gonna have a good 2 hours, very enjoyable
Rated 07 May 2021
beneBene
Rated 14 Apr 2021
78
73rd
Very solid thriller with an excellent cast.
Rated 14 Apr 2021
lintonmyroxylintonmyroxy
Rated 29 Oct 2020
86
61st
Feels a lot like a Friedkin movie but the script really holds it back
Rated 29 Oct 2020
arossaross
Rated 02 May 2020
78
60th
Entertaining and horribly dark thriller. I just couldn't get into all the back and forth. It added nothing to the film except runtime.
Rated 02 May 2020
medinavimedinavi
Rated 28 Apr 2020
68
36th
2007 yapımı bir film için çok 90'lar gözüküyor.
Rated 28 Apr 2020
matthagenmatthagen
Rated 18 Mar 2020
60
72nd
Seen: 2.
Rated 18 Mar 2020
spaceflohspacefloh
Rated 29 Jan 2020
30
9th
ger; [tödliche Entscheidung - Before the Devil Knows You're Dead]; zwei Brüder planen den Raub auf ein familiäres Juweliergeschäft - doch es läuft schief und wirft die ganze familie in einen emotionalen abgrund.; (dauernde Schnitte für pseudo-dramaturgie);
Rated 29 Jan 2020
napolenbradynapolenbrady
Rated 09 Mar 2019
84
23rd
84.00
Rated 09 Mar 2019
kgbelliveaukgbelliveau
Rated 18 Dec 2018
80
50th
Entertaining mainly because of the talent able to make something of a script that falls victims to all the commonalities of the genre. Hawke and Hoffman give the best performances but this film carries very little of substance and it is hard to place a film like that among the greats. Another film with a talented cast. Seems to be a growing trend; Talented casts wasted on typical scripts.
Rated 18 Dec 2018
seckintayfunseckintayfun
Rated 30 Nov 2018
4
10th
Is it easy to take a decent point on IMDB? Yeah! You saw it many times, but this is exceptional from every aspect of it, didn't you get it?
Rated 30 Nov 2018
nathan_sNathan S
Rated 28 Sep 2017
5
93rd
The patchwork design allows this film to slowly sink its teeth in, revealing in the last act what a Greek god damn tragedy it is. It's rattling and uncomfortable. How fortunate that Lumet was able to cap off his life's work with an achievement which may be considered among his greatest.
Rated 28 Sep 2017
oskarhuoskarhu
Rated 06 Jun 2017
70
19th
Had very little suspense, most of it deflated due to a clumsy storytelling. The script certainly needed better treatment.
Rated 06 Jun 2017
ymyogevymyogev
Rated 22 Oct 2016
82
70th
More horrifying than appears.
Rated 22 Oct 2016
zoinkzoink
Rated 14 Sep 2016
65
50th
I haven't decided how I should rank movies where I respect almost every aspect of the film but didn't really enjoy it much.
Rated 14 Sep 2016
kw161484kw161484
Rated 12 Jan 2016
87
55th
Sidney Lumet began his career in 1957 with 12 Angry Men, exactly half a century later, he ended it with this film. Though completely different, they are both phenomenally made films. Whereas 12 Angry Men was a moral exercise, 'Before the Devil' is an intricate character study of flawed men in the midst of self-inflicted chaos. Anchored by a wonderful script and two career performances in Ethan Hawke and Philip Hoffman, 'Before the Devil' is intense. taut, and wont leave your head for days.
Rated 12 Jan 2016
itbspodcastITBSPodcast
Rated 25 Oct 2015
100
0th
"What better place to explore gay subtext than an all-male prison?" http://illusionpodcast.blogspot.com/2015/05/episode-59-dark-side-of-sidney-lumet.html
Rated 25 Oct 2015
geohawkgeohawk
Rated 25 Sep 2015
88
68th
A compact story told in a sprawling form, the stresses enveloping the two brothers are suffocating. The problem? Ethan Hawke has never been able to convince me of whatever it is that he's selling, and this movie suffers from it. Lumet seems to film this like a passive observer (but edits it like a manipulative storyteller), and Hoffman's almost animalistic approach works for that - it feels like we are watching a caged animal in full on freakout - but Hawke just seems like too much.
Rated 25 Sep 2015
prestobixPrestoBix
Rated 20 Aug 2015
94
96th
Seen 3x
Rated 20 Aug 2015
redactedredacted
Rated 24 Jun 2015
40
16th
I had problems with the script here, it had the calibre of a Hallmark channel production with glints of adult themes to give it something of an edge. PSH turns it up when possible & his heroin scenes are ripe material if a future bio-pic of his ever needs some shots to fluff out the running time. Things just literally stumble to a conclusion after some open-mouthed revelations occur. Disappointing final shot for Lumet too, going out with all that American sentimental gleam.
Rated 24 Jun 2015
janusjanus
Rated 24 Jun 2015
70
52nd
Nonlinear chronology is nothing new but here its use is less gimmicky than usual, and brings out the poetry of a story that could have seemed meandering and pointlessly bleak. Lumet & Co. express well the depth and texture of each of the indoor spaces the film predominately is set in. This film didn't win me over until late in the game but it was worth the wait.
Rated 24 Jun 2015
judicaretjudicaret
Rated 07 Jun 2015
41
12th
I wonder if it's cultural or just personality related issue between me and this story. If there's nothing good and kind, and nothing to relate, and nothing particularly explained regarding all that, the exprerience offers you nothing but possibly grief and certainly waste of your precious time. The film doesn't feel like loveless lackluster, so it is obviously aimed for someone's acquired or local taste, but I can't pinpoint who they might be.
Rated 07 Jun 2015
vdecraimVdecraim
Rated 19 Aug 2014
80
73rd
One of those films that albeit of all its shortcomings, I couldn't help but enjoy. Yes, some of the supporting actors were mediocre at best (*couch* Marisa Tomei*cough), the visual style wasn't very special, and the non-linear narrative is quite overused. Still, Lumet's last film shows the touch of a masterful director, which in combination with Hawke/Hoffman is the reason I enjoyed it so much. The OST is spectacular.
Rated 19 Aug 2014
ag0stomesmerAg0stoMesmer
Rated 11 Jun 2014
3
73rd
Temporal tinkering couldn't quite hide it's lack of real tension. Still, worth watching to see a good cast working really well together.
Rated 11 Jun 2014
aaasolankiaaasolanki
Rated 09 Mar 2014
71
23rd
A disturbing and saddening movie, to say the least. However, it is indeed nicely made and shows to what extent people can go to and how horribly things can go wrong.
Rated 09 Mar 2014
thehynesthehynes
Rated 26 Feb 2014
61
71st
ahhh,happy families. Leaves such a warm fuzzy glow inside
Rated 26 Feb 2014
susie_mauvesusie-mauve
Rated 15 Feb 2014
72
29th
Nicely constructed and really great acting. But nothing really, truly memorable about the outcome, because you end up despising all the characters.
Rated 15 Feb 2014
prowlerprowler
Rated 09 Feb 2014
63
60th
great performances and visual style pull you in. i felt like the ending could make or break the film, and while it's didn't fail completely (i liked Hawke's treatment) it could've been more impactful
Rated 09 Feb 2014
glm01glm01
Rated 21 Oct 2013
83
75th
83.000
Rated 21 Oct 2013
neonmanNeonman
Rated 17 Jul 2013
63
20th
An incredibly wrinkly film that needs an ironing through (especially the plot). Clarity isn't this film's strongest point and the skewed narrative is unnecessary and muddles an otherwise easy-to-follow story. But I can't help but still somewhat triumph this film -- not only is it handsomely made and has some very fine performances, it shows just how dangerous selfishness can be, especially when it runs in the family.
Rated 17 Jul 2013
interworldinterworld
Rated 28 Jan 2013
2
23rd
The unchronological storytelling was not needed and very annoying. Movie also dragged, especially during the first half. I found all the characters to be mostly or completely unlikable. Great acting, though.
Rated 28 Jan 2013
begoniabolbegoniabol
Rated 22 Jan 2013
70
60th
A great cast and good acting, but the movie itself is not outstanding. Drags at many parts and the story is not the most original.
Rated 22 Jan 2013
calexicoCalexico
Rated 31 Dec 2012
50
6th
Engaging, but very frustrating, because every character in the movie is obnoxiously weak-minded, short-sighted, and plain stupid.
Rated 31 Dec 2012
ecitizeneCitizen
Rated 07 Dec 2012
91
91st
The magnificent Marisa Tomei topless is incredibly hot and sexy and makes this movie worth watching all by itself. The story is twisted and extremely sad. Greed and over confidence leads two brothers to attempt a robbery. It was supposed to be safe, and nobody gets hurt, but it goes horribly wrong and ends up ruining both of their lives. Their struggling to evade detection leads them to more horrific and brutal acts. The ending is particularly sad, but fitting.
Rated 07 Dec 2012
danastevensdanastevens
Rated 30 Nov 2012
100
97th
gokcanzgokcanz
Rated 25 Oct 2012
84
92nd
* Casting, Acting : 9 * Script : 8 * Directing, Aura : 10 * Ease of Viewing : 7 * Naked Eye : 8
Rated 25 Oct 2012
elysian_airElysian Air
Rated 19 Sep 2012
52
13th
One of the most inconceivable things about this film is how someone of Sidney Lumet's talent can make such a good film that's also quite forgettable. When I saw it recently I realized that I knew what was going to happen before it happened; I had completely forgot that I had seen the film several months ago. One of the worst crimes a film can commit is the ability to make you forget that you've seen it. Even with all its technical brilliance, I can hardly feel impressed by such impotence.
Rated 19 Sep 2012
ashbyAshby
Rated 25 Aug 2012
85
72nd
It's not Sidney Lumet's best, but it was definitely not a bad way to end his career. It amazes me that I haven't seen more Lumet movies as he really is a fantastic director. This movie also reminds me excactly why Phillip Seymour Hoffman is one of my favourite actors. It's amazingly depressing and bleak and not really something you should watch if you're already in a bad mood. It seems to turn quite a few people off that there's no upside here, but it's still fantastically well done. Recommended
Rated 25 Aug 2012
misterlizardmisterlizard
Rated 14 Aug 2012
55
56th
lexlex
Rated 02 Aug 2012
80
53rd
Lumet's final film isn't as special as some of his greatest but the execution is some of the finest I have seen lately in the crime genre.
Rated 02 Aug 2012
walkenrollWalkenRoll
Rated 29 Jul 2012
80
74th
Another film I've come back to after finding it way too slow about halfway through and leaving it for a while. It was still pretty slow, but Ethan Hawke and Michael Shannon sort of made up for it. Albert Finney was also great. Sidney Lumet just made amazing films all the time.
Rated 29 Jul 2012
stuie299stuie299
Rated 26 Jun 2012
70
31st
This film had great acting but was stifled by uneven pacing and a weak screenplay. The non linear story telling felt unneeded. Too many of the scenes dragged and it wasn't until the last 20 minutes that things picked up. Unfortunately this made the ending feel rushed. Though, aside from the pacing, Lumet actually does a good job directing this movie. I just wish he had better source material. We all know the greatness he's able to produce with a worthy script. Overall an ok movie.
Rated 26 Jun 2012
realmacgyverRealMacgyver
Rated 10 Jun 2012
60
30th
By the title I expected something rather dark but more comedic. What I got was a plodding drama from multiple perspectives. Had trouble holding my interest to be honest. The acting was fine, plot was fine, just didn't do it for me.
Rated 10 Jun 2012
sirrobbieSirRobbie
Rated 07 May 2012
70
53rd
Great acting !!!
Rated 07 May 2012
lulzplzkthxlulzplzkthx
Rated 04 May 2012
38
7th
This movie was actually terrible. The storyline is overly ridiculous, the acting is *not* great, and it's just... not good. I couldn't finish it, read through the Wikipedia synopsis, and I'm glad I didn't finish it based on what Wikipedia stated the rest of the story was.
Rated 04 May 2012
david1225david1225
Rated 16 Mar 2012
88
79th
This is not a happy film.
Rated 16 Mar 2012
yoohooyoohoo
Rated 14 Mar 2012
70
37th
acting was there, the way the story is told was interesting and new, but the story itself wasn't particularly there for me. i understand psh's breakdown, but more could have been shown earlier in the film to give his character motivation or reason to go on a killing spree. if he was indeed crazy, they should have done something early in the film to show him as this temperamental and unstable person.
Rated 14 Mar 2012
davidjohnsonDavidJohnson
Rated 08 Mar 2012
83
72nd
A very well constructed movie, the showing of multiple people's perspectives really works, and makes the story more compelling. Phillip Seymour is great as always, Ethan Hawke was better then he usually is. Even though a small role, I thought for the scenes he was in, Michael Shannon stole the show. The way the story unravels, characters becoming more and more fucked, really unlucky circumstances, a few dead people and a couple different revenge scenarios. It makes for a good movie.
Rated 08 Mar 2012
timon88Timon88
Rated 04 Mar 2012
65
58th
Uneven, dark, and interesting.
Rated 04 Mar 2012
mandymandy
Rated 14 Feb 2012
7
73rd
Great story telling. Information is revealed in a non linear narrative which keeps the viewer interested until the very end.
Rated 14 Feb 2012
damildamil
Rated 19 Jan 2012
70
67th
It was pretty good. It was well-directed, had great performances and I enjoyed the use of different character perspectives and non-linear storytelling.
Rated 19 Jan 2012
myfavchordsmyfavchords
Rated 22 Dec 2011
87
93rd
I can't believe that more people are not talking about this movie. This movie is great. A top notch cast and a great story. Philip Seymour Hoffman gives another gem of a performance. Sidney Lumet still is a great director.
Rated 22 Dec 2011
djrossdjross
Rated 11 Dec 2011
60
63rd
The cast probably flatter the script, which was passable but quite derivative, with elements taken from a handful of recent crime dramas, from FARGO to BAD LIEUTENANT. Mostly holds the viewer's interest, however the "Greek tragedy"-style denouement did not really ring true, and brought the tale to an abrupt and yet laboured end, like a finger jagged in the air and a voiceover intoning, "Consequences!" Nevertheless, appealing handfuls of sex, drugs, murder and desperation.
Rated 11 Dec 2011
peppertpeppert
Rated 03 Nov 2011
75
60th
Sidney Lumet's last movie is a greek tragedy. Not unlike his other stuff, it is much darker though. The utilitarian justice theme that runs through much of his work is here as well, however the dark moral here seems to be less a support of always doing the right thing as a condemnation of any deviation from the straight line. Do anything wrong and you will be punished beyond anything you can imagine.
Rated 03 Nov 2011
slantmagSlantMag
Rated 30 Oct 2011
30
78th
"Most of Before the Devil Knows You're Dead works so well as a fatalistic, post-Tarantino neo-noir that the last third's attempt to frame the drama as King Lear-level tragedy plays as an unnecessary reach." - Akiva Gottlieb
Rated 30 Oct 2011
veeqdeeveeqdee
Rated 01 Jul 2011
45
17th
I was sadly disappointed, considering this was Lumet's last feature. This is definitely a character-driven, seriously pessimistic film, and yet I felt detached from the characters. The time skipping especially annoyed me because it made the movie drag on, though I understand it was necessary to understand each person's POV. Overall good, but there was something missing.
Rated 01 Jul 2011
redfalconRed_Falcon_
Rated 10 Jun 2011
67
31st
The way the flashbacks were done added a level of confusion to the story that is this film's big drawback.The performances by Ethane Hawke and Philip Seymour Hoffman were top shelf and really made what is ultimately a weak film that much better.
Rated 10 Jun 2011
spanksSpanks
Rated 08 Jun 2011
75
75th
Way more engaging than I expected it to be; it kind of comes out of nowhere. The nonlinear timeline is very enjoyable and the along with the editing it never becomes boring, although in some parts it is quite repetitive. Finney (the dad) almost killed it for me though. He was really distracting in every scene he was in, and not in a good way. And Marisa Tomei....nice.
Rated 08 Jun 2011
doctor7doctor7
Rated 24 May 2011
85
83rd
Great tense film done on a relatively small scale, which is not surprisingly considering Lumet's masterpiece 12 Angry Men. I was quite pleased to see some subtle humour present throughout the film and some not so subtle black humour which gave me a few belly laughs. That said this is smart and emotionally draining thriller with superb performances from all involved, including Marisa Tomei who I'm normally not a fan of.
Rated 24 May 2011
ddrudgesd_drudges
Rated 21 Apr 2011
60
69th
Well directed and has an original story but is somehow quite forgettable. Less than the sum of its parts really.
Rated 21 Apr 2011
rufamRufam
Rated 13 Apr 2011
85
93rd
What an excellent swan song for the great Sidney Lumet. "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead" works both as a tense and brilliantly structured thriller and a potent character drama, while testifying once again to Lumet's directorial masterfulness. The script is tight and smartly written and the performances superb and nuanced -Hoffman, Hawke and Finney are all terrific. The tension is maintained throughout and the plot, because we feel the stakes are real, is never less than captivating.
Rated 13 Apr 2011
spokospoko
Rated 02 Apr 2011
70
38th
Thoroughly well crafted, and well told, but at the same time bleak and unmoving. You know exactly where this film is going from very early on, and where it's going is deep into the pit of human existence. There's not much worth seeing along the way, unfortunately.
Rated 02 Apr 2011
fuckchopsfuckchops
Rated 13 Mar 2011
55
31st
Bleaksville. Only seen this and Dog Day Afernoon from the director... this film was a bummer.
Rated 13 Mar 2011
davisty69davisty69
Rated 16 Jan 2011
80
41st
Probably one the best movie titles ever. Too bad the movie wasn't as good. It was ok, but not what i'd hoped it would be. All star cast though.
Rated 16 Jan 2011
armondwhiteArmondWhite
Rated 10 Jan 2011
1
0th
Lumet tries getting back to the outrageous satirical mode of Network and Just Tell Me What You Want, but this family dysfunction story fails the classic requirements of social critique.
Rated 10 Jan 2011
bharathbharath
Rated 02 Jan 2011
70
57th
The movie has its highs and lows. It has simple story but movie goes backwards and forwards in time. The movie falls short when one thinks of the story in order. The performance by the actors alone cannot make this movie a good one. It is entertaining but does not fit in the category of a great movie. Over all a decent watch.
Rated 02 Jan 2011
citizenxCitizenX
Rated 28 Nov 2010
50
44th
was ok, the story split in parts with tons of flashbacks and -forwards wasnt really my cup of tea
Rated 28 Nov 2010
lazynicklazynick
Rated 29 Sep 2010
100
94th
great.
Rated 29 Sep 2010
waddayanutswaddayanuts
Rated 10 Sep 2010
74
53rd
A fatalistic noir tale about the downfall of a family. Fabulous acting by Hoffman.
Rated 10 Sep 2010

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