Murder by Numbers

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Murder by Numbers

R

2002

2h 0m

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

30%

Tomatometer

126 Reviews

49%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

The body of a young woman is found in a ditch in the woods of the small California coastal town of San Benito. A tenacious homicide detective (Sandra Bullock) and her new partner (Ben Chaplin) uncover a trail of shrewdly concealed evidence that links two brilliant young men (Ryan Gosling), (Michael Pitt) to a murder.

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Critics Consensus

A predictable police procedural that works better as a character study rather than a thriller.

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Namrata Joshi

Outlook

01/03/2019

1/4

The climax is the biggest letdown...

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

12/26/2010

3/5

Predictable thriller is definitely not for kids.

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Mark Caro

Chicago Tribune

07/20/2002

3/4

The outline of Murder by Numbers may be familiar, but the filmmakers and Bullock do an expert job of filling in the colors.

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Trace Thurman

Horror Queers Podcast

11/20/2023

2.5/5

Murder By Numberrs never aspires to be anything more than than a big-budget episode of a police procedural, making for a sporadically interesting, but often dull film.

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Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

12/20/2020

2/5

Average thriller that achieves its aim of moving star Sandra Bullock a few houses away from her trademark girl-next-door persona.

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Debbie Lynn Elias

Behind The Lens

11/13/2019

This is a film about obsession - obsession with getting away with murder - obsession with solving a murder - obsession with showing how to elude capture in a murder. Sadly, the audience won't be obsessed with watching it.

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TheMovieSearch R

@TheMovieSearch Jan 8

Murder by Numbers is a film I’ve always enjoyed far more than its reputation suggests. Led by Sandra Bullock, the movie works as an engaging detective thriller that keeps you invested in solving the crime alongside her character. Bullock brings toughness, intelligence, and authority, reminding you why she remains one of the most dependable movie stars of her era. Ryan Gosling delivers a standout performance, offering a chilling contrast to Bullock’s grounded presence, while Michael Pitt and Ben Chaplin add depth and tension. The screenplay isn’t perfect, but the direction succeeds in letting the audience play along, piecing together clues and motives. Underrated and entertaining, this is a thriller worth revisiting rather than dismissing.

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Jerod S

@jeroduptown Dec 23

A predictable mystery that's more about mentally unstable teen boys than it is murder. Bullock is the damaged cop that "figures" it all out.

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Deepest Bluest Suede Darius Dick Stinger Apini Emanuel Grouch Nukem III AKA The Rumble AKA Jennyanyany McPoopface Bridgerton AKA The Count of Monte Fisto

May 19

Another Tony Medley classic.

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Griffith J

@griffithxjohnson Apr 25

Interesting philosophical ideas that are presented yet never explored. The pacing & writing feel incomplete & flat. It looks really old & dated with some very illogical behavior. But Gosling in a cool jacket is always great.

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Julian S

@akajulianscott 11/14/2024

This Bullock-led thriller follows a familiar formula, but Pitt and Gosling captivate as ruthless, wealthy teens with malevolent intent.

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Lanfranco C

@Lanfrancobz 02/24/2024

Sad description of an unhetical world.

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Barbet Schroeder

Director

Sandra Bullock

Cassie Mayweather

Ryan Gosling

Richard Haywood

Michael Pitt

Justin Pendleton

Agnes Bruckner

Lisa

Chris Penn

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Synopsis

The body of a young woman is found in a ditch in the woods of the small California coastal town of San Benito. A tenacious homicide detective (Sandra Bullock) and her new partner (Ben Chaplin) uncover a trail of shrewdly concealed evidence that links two brilliant young men (Ryan Gosling), (Michael Pitt) to a murder.

Director: Barbet Schroeder
Producer: Barbet Schroeder, Susan Hoffman, Richard Crystal
Screenwriter: Tony Gayton
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Castle Rock Entertainment
Rating: R (Language|Brief Drug Use|Sex Scene|Violence)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 19, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 1, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $31.9M
Runtime: 2h 0m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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