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Clay Pigeons

Play trailer Poster for Clay Pigeons R Released Sep 15, 1998 1h 44m Mystery & Thriller Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
61% Tomatometer 54 Reviews 68% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
In a small Montana town, Clay Bidwell (Joaquin Phoenix) finds himself increasingly surrounded by dead bodies, making him the chief suspect of an FBI murder investigation. First, his best friend kills himself during a hunting trip after discovering Clay is having an affair with his wife, Amanda (Georgina Cates). A remorseful Clay starts dating waitress Gloria (Nikki Arlyn), who is killed by the vengeful Amanda. Meanwhile, Clay becomes friends with serial killer Lester Long (Vince Vaughn).
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Clay Pigeons

Clay Pigeons

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Critics Consensus

Joaquin Phoenix, Janeane Garofalo, and Vince Vaughn play for kills in this dark comedy, but the film's aim misses some of those Clay Pigeons.

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Critics Reviews

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Paul Tatara CNN.com One of those post-Coen Brothers crime thingys that goes to extremes to make sure that everyone knows the filmmakers are too painfully cool to really mean anything they're showing you. Feb 6, 2018 Full Review Dennis Harvey Variety Slanted as a black comedy, but fails to secure the sufficiently outre tone (let alone any real suspense) needed to make it more than a middling retread. Mar 26, 2009 Full Review Derek Adams Time Out This quirky comedy thriller, produced by Ridley Scott, is both blackly funny and, at times, tensely disturbing and quite macabre. Feb 9, 2006 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Playing twitchy crazies isn't Vaughn's strong suit, a point made crystal clear with the subsequent release of the same year's abysmal Psycho remake with Vaughn as Norman Bates. Rated: 2.5/4 Jul 31, 2021 Full Review Joe Leydon The Moving Picture Show Call this one Fargo Lite, and you won't be far off the mark. Rated: 2.5/4 Jul 26, 2014 Full Review Ron Wells Film Threat Vince Vaughn may play the two best movie serial killers this year if his Norman Bates rendition can match his performance in Clay Pigeons. Rated: 4/5 Dec 6, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member Small town crime movie sees Joaquin Phoenix having bodies dropping all around him, starting with his friend who's wife he's sleeping with who takes his own life. He then meets a friendly stranger played by Vince Vaughn who happens to be a serial killer. All while being the prime suspect with an out of town cops case played by Janeane Garofolo. Great cast elevates this often told story II to a fun watch. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/18/23 Full Review Audience Member dont know how i missed this cracking film. Dont let silly title put you off this noire gem Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review Audience Member Entertaining and we'll done. Was destined for cult classic commedy from the word go. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member I thought I knew what this movie was and I was wrong. Not all of it works, but Vince Vaughn freaked me out enough times to earn a 7/10. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review Audience Member pleasantly surprised! i can't tell if Vince Vaughn made a good serial killer or not, haha -- but i really enjoyed it. the twists & turns happen basically right out of the gate, but the story is good & it has a satisfying ending. would recommend this one, for sure. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review Audience Member 3.6 solid movie and great acting from their a list stars Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 08/30/20 Full Review Read all reviews
Clay Pigeons

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Movie Info

Synopsis In a small Montana town, Clay Bidwell (Joaquin Phoenix) finds himself increasingly surrounded by dead bodies, making him the chief suspect of an FBI murder investigation. First, his best friend kills himself during a hunting trip after discovering Clay is having an affair with his wife, Amanda (Georgina Cates). A remorseful Clay starts dating waitress Gloria (Nikki Arlyn), who is killed by the vengeful Amanda. Meanwhile, Clay becomes friends with serial killer Lester Long (Vince Vaughn).
Director
David Dobkin
Producer
Ridley Scott, Chris Zarpas
Screenwriter
Matthew L. Healy
Distributor
Gramercy Pictures
Production Co
PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
Rating
R
Genre
Mystery & Thriller, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 15, 1998, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 10, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$1.8M
Runtime
1h 44m
Sound Mix
Surround, DTS, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
35mm, Flat (1.85:1)
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