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Before the Devil Knows You're Dead

Before the Devil Knows You're Dead

Crime · Drama · Thriller · 2007

When two brothers organize the robbery of their parents' jewelry store, the job goes horribly wrong, triggering a series of events that send them and their family hurtling towards a shattering climax.

Movie details

Before the Devil Knows You're Dead

“No one was supposed to get hurt.”

2007 Crime · Drama · Thriller 1h 57m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.1 / 10

Community rating

When two brothers organize the robbery of their parents' jewelry store, the job goes horribly wrong, triggering a series of events that send them and their family hurtling towards a shattering climax.

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 Before the Devil Knows You're Dead?

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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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Sidney Lumet

Written by

Kelly Masterson

Philip Seymour Hoffman

Philip Seymour Hoffman

Andy Hanson

Ethan Hawke

Ethan Hawke

Hank Hanson

Albert Finney

Albert Finney

Charles Hanson

Marisa Tomei

Marisa Tomei

Gina Hanson

Aleksa Palladino

Aleksa Palladino

Chris Lasorda

Michael Shannon

Michael Shannon

Dex

Amy Ryan

Amy Ryan

Martha Hanson

Court is in session

Put Before the Devil Knows You're Dead 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.