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The Informers

Play trailer Poster for The Informers R Released Apr 24, 2009 1h 38m Crime Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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13% Tomatometer 104 Reviews 18% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
In 1980s Los Angeles, a group of self-absorbed hedonists drift through their lives without the benefit of a moral compass. A movie executive (Billy Bob Thornton) carries on an affair with a newscaster, while his son (Jon Foster) tries to sort out his relationship with his promiscuous girlfriend (Amber Heard). Meanwhile, a sleazy ex-con (Mickey Rourke) hatches a plan to sell a kidnapped child for some quick cash.
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The Informers

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Critics Consensus

As miserable and insipid as its protagonists, The Informers fails to provide anything to think about after the sheen of fake blond is gone.

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Critics Reviews

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Candice Frederick Reel Talk Online It was a series of randomness that don't really offer much information or contribute to the overall point. Rated: C Sep 12, 2017 Full Review Rob Nelson Variety Rating less than zero on the sophistication scale, The Informers is thus a totally faithful adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis' novel--and an accurate look at early '80s-era Los Angeles. Sep 1, 2009 Full Review Cosmo Landesman The Times (UK) It has a good cast and a terrific 1980s soundtrack (Devo, Simple Minds), but it also has the superficiality of a TV soap. The Informers is not so bad that you can't sit back and enjoy it, but nor is it good enough to go and see. Rated: 2/5 Jul 24, 2009 Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Compounding the lack of intrigue is a storyline that is all introduction and setup, leaving the audience waiting for a third act that never comes. Rated: 3/10 Nov 28, 2020 Full Review Kelly Vance East Bay Express Heaven protect us from any more Bret Easton Ellis versions of Tales of the Empty Lives of Los Angeles. Aug 18, 2011 Full Review Burl Burlingame Honolulu Star-Advertiser Brad Renfro in his last movie role, playing a wannabe film actor who sprays out filthy perspiration like a collie emerging from a sewer. It's possible this role killed Renfro. Rated: 1/4 Jul 5, 2011 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Stephen C Success in 1 hour and 38 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/31/25 Full Review David F I mean, the book was better but I guess that goes without saying. This film didn’t make much of an impression on me. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 06/28/25 Full Review Alain E As a movie accused of nihilism the ideal approval rating should be 0%, so the 10% positive reviews it accumulated indicates failure. What it actually shows is, that it went way above the comprehension level of the audience. Strangely, the other movie based on a Bret Easton Ellis book American Psycho, which describes a character without any redeeming values except the ability to recognize the best in consumption goods, was universally praised. The main differences with the present movie is that the director then was female and the Christian Bale character mutilated dead women. In the present film the Mickey Rourke miscreant abducts a little boy in a foolish plan to ask for ransom, but eventually the child is set free. Maybe the reviews would be more positive if the child was murdered. The film describes the hedonistic society that is about to be upended by the emergence of AIDS. Cinematography is excellent with very good music and first class actors. But people want to watch realistic movies like the Avatar and Avengers sagas. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/27/24 Full Review Stefanie S I love Brett Easton Ellis. I have read three of his novels, but honestly, I have never read a more disjointed book in my life. I have no idea how it even got published. The brutal murders of a child, the vampire vibe thing that makes no sense at all. I couldn't follow it for the life of me. the only chapter that had any heart at all was the college student who was coming back to L.A. from the east on a train. Each chapter of this book, you have to guess who is the protagonist speaking, what is happening and you're in the middle of the chapter before you even know who's speaking and what's happening. I'm surprised he would write this kind of junk. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 07/23/24 Full Review Peter G A majorly misunderstood movie. A lovely dark and disturbing drama about the collapse of honest living. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/11/24 Full Review Steve D An absolute despite the cast. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 02/03/24 Full Review Read all reviews
The Informers

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Cast & Crew

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Gregor Jordan

Director

Billy Bob Thornton

William Sloan

Kim Basinger

Laura Sloan

Mickey Rourke

Peter

Winona Ryder

Cheryl

Jon Foster

Graham Sloan

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The Informers

Jon Foster as Graham Sloan and Amber Heard as Christie in "The Informers." Mickey Rourke as Peter in "The Informers." (Standing) Austin Nichols as Martin in "The Informers." (Front L-R) Rhys Ifans as Roger and Mel Raido as Bryan Metro in "The Informers." Billy Bob Thornton as William Sloan and Kim Basinger as Laura Sloan in "The Informers." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In 1980s Los Angeles, a group of self-absorbed hedonists drift through their lives without the benefit of a moral compass. A movie executive (Billy Bob Thornton) carries on an affair with a newscaster, while his son (Jon Foster) tries to sort out his relationship with his promiscuous girlfriend (Amber Heard). Meanwhile, a sleazy ex-con (Mickey Rourke) hatches a plan to sell a kidnapped child for some quick cash.
Director
Gregor Jordan
Producer
Marco Weber
Screenwriter
Bret Easton Ellis, Nicholas Jarecki
Distributor
Senator Film
Production Co
Senator Entertainment
Rating
R (Nudity|Drug Use|Pervasive Language|Some Disturbing Images|Strong Sexual Content)
Genre
Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 24, 2009, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 9, 2009
Runtime
1h 38m
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