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Crime Wave

Crime Wave

Crime · Thriller · 1953

Reformed parolee Steve Lacey is caught in the middle when a wounded former cellmate seeks him out for shelter. The other two former cellmates then attempt to force him into doing a bank job.

Movie details

Crime Wave

“Before your shocked eyes -- the city blasted SIN-SIDE OUT!”

1953 Crime · Thriller 1h 13m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.1 / 10

Community rating

Reformed parolee Steve Lacey is caught in the middle when a wounded former cellmate seeks him out for shelter. The other two former cellmates then attempt to force him into doing a bank job.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Crime Wave?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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One year after outwitting the FBI and winning the public’s adulation with their mind-bending spectacles, the Four Horsemen resurface only to find themselves face to face with a new enemy who enlists them to pull off their most dangerous heist yet.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

André de Toth

Written by

Crane Wilbur · John Hawkins · Ward Hawkins

Sterling Hayden

Sterling Hayden

Det. Lt. Sims

Gene Nelson

Gene Nelson

Steve Lacey

Phyllis Kirk

Phyllis Kirk

Ellen Lacey

Ted de Corsia

Ted de Corsia

'Doc' Penny

Charles Bronson

Charles Bronson

Ben Hastings

Jay Novello

Jay Novello

Dr. Otto Hessler

Nedrick Young

Nedrick Young

Gat Morgan

Court is in session

Put Crime Wave on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Big-Idea Head

“Form is the argument.”

Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Technique in search of a pulse.”

Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.