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The Card Counter

The Card Counter

Drama · Thriller · Crime · 2021

William Tell just wants to play cards. His spartan existence on the casino trail is shattered when he is approached by Cirk, a vulnerable and angry young man seeking help to execute his plan for revenge on a military colonel. Tell sees a chance at redemption through his relationship with Cirk.

Movie details

The Card Counter

“He's Playing the Hand He Was Dealt.”

2021 Drama · Thriller · Crime 1h 52m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.1 / 10

Community rating

William Tell just wants to play cards. His spartan existence on the casino trail is shattered when he is approached by Cirk, a vulnerable and angry young man seeking help to execute his plan for revenge on a military colonel. Tell sees a chance at redemption through his relationship with Cirk.

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 The Card Counter?

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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The Silence of the Lambs

The Silence of the Lambs

Crime · 1991

Clarice Starling is a top student at the FBI's training academy. Jack Crawford wants Clarice to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant psychiatrist who is also a violent psychopath, serving life behind bars for various acts of murder and cannibalism. Crawford believes that Lecter may have insight into a case and that Starling, as an attractive young woman, may be just the bait to draw him out.

Road to Perdition

Road to Perdition

Crime · 2002

Mike Sullivan works as a hit man for crime boss John Rooney. Sullivan views Rooney as a father figure, however after his son is witness to a killing, Mike Sullivan finds himself on the run in attempt to save the life of his son and at the same time looking for revenge on those who wronged him.

Miller's Crossing

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Papillon

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Touch of Evil

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GoodFellas

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Drama · 1990

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Where it lives

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Paul Schrader

Written by

Paul Schrader

Oscar Isaac

Oscar Isaac

William Tell

Tiffany Haddish

Tiffany Haddish

La Linda

Tye Sheridan

Tye Sheridan

Cirk

Willem Dafoe

Willem Dafoe

Gordo

Alexander Babara

Alexander Babara

Mr. USA

Bobby C. King

Bobby C. King

Slippery Joe

Ekaterina Baker

Ekaterina Baker

Sara

Court is in session

Put The Card Counter 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.