25th Hour

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25th Hour

R

2003

2h 14m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

80%

Tomatometer

176 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

In New York City in the days following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Monty Brogan (Edward Norton) steels himself for a lengthy jail term. Brogan is a convicted drug dealer about to start a seven-year prison sentence, and his final hours of freedom are devoted to hanging out with his closest buddies (Philip Seymour Hoffman, Barry Pepper) and trying to prepare his girlfriend, Naturelle Riviera (Rosario Dawson), for his extended absence.

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Critics Consensus

An intelligent and well-acted film despite the usual Spike Lee excesses.

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Joshua Rothkopf

In These Times

Spike Lee's latest-his 20th feature including TV work-is at long last the raging masterpiece many have suspected him capable of. 25th Hour eclipses everything he's done before, including Do the Right Thing...

Mar 16, 2020

Full Review

Barbara Ellen

The Times (UK)

It's an odd movie, maybe odder than it should have been if this is Lee's attempt to make a more widely accessible, less issue-based movie.

Jan 3, 2018

Full Review

Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

If you're in any way a Spike Lee fan, check this out.

Rated: A

Sep 12, 2017

Full Review

Fico Cangiano

CineXpress Podcast

Spike Lee's most un-Spike Lee film, results in a powerful and profound (post-9/11) story. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 4/5

Mar 28, 2025

Full Review

Dave Giannini

Loud and Clear Reviews

25th Hour doesn’t give you an easy answer, because there are none. [...] Pressure can make us heroes or cowards, criminals or saints, traitors or loyal partners. The choice is only up to us.

Rated: 4.5/5

Sep 19, 2024

Full Review

Diana Tuova

Spotlight on Film

What would have been a simple story with meandering dialogues is strangely transformed into something special and profound, largely due to some interesting directional choices, powerful imagery, Norton’s commitment, and...a beautiful score.

Rated: 4.5/5

Aug 9, 2024

Full Review

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Ronnie M

Well worth the watch .....good acting

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/19/25

Full Review

Michael D

I thought it was absolutely rubbish, honestly. It’s hard to empathise with any of the characters or their relationships. Surprised at the RT & IMDb ratings. Comparing to films of that era, like Lock Stock, this hasn’t aged well. I don’t know why it was made.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

08/09/25

Full Review

Horror fan 4

A well made movie with Spike behind the camera. Tim Treakle

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/08/25

Full Review

Alan L.

Edward Norton is Superb!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/08/25

Full Review

Christian K

Great supporting performances and script, I think. Cox and Hoffman stole the show.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/03/25

Full Review

Eliot F

Pretentious, tedious baloney with irrelevant, overblown score.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

07/01/25

Full Review

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Spike Lee

Director

Edward Norton

Monty Brogan

Philip Seymour Hoffman

Jacob Elinsky

Barry Pepper

Francis Xavier Slaughtery

Rosario Dawson

Naturelle Riviera

Anna Paquin

Mary D'Annuzio

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Synopsis

In New York City in the days following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Monty Brogan (Edward Norton) steels himself for a lengthy jail term. Brogan is a convicted drug dealer about to start a seven-year prison sentence, and his final hours of freedom are devoted to hanging out with his closest buddies (Philip Seymour Hoffman, Barry Pepper) and trying to prepare his girlfriend, Naturelle Riviera (Rosario Dawson), for his extended absence.

Director: Spike Lee
Producer: Jon Kilik, Tobey Maguire, Julia Chasman
Screenwriter: David Benioff, David Benioff
Distributor: Touchstone Pictures
Production Co: Gamut Films, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, Industry Entertainment
Rating: R (Strong Language|Some Violence)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 10, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $13.1M
Runtime: 2h 14m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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