Galveston

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2:27

Galveston

2018

1h 31m

Mystery & Thriller

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

73%

Tomatometer

52 Reviews

54%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

Roy is a heavy-drinking criminal enforcer and mob hit man whose boss set him up in a double-cross scheme. After killing his would-be assassins before they could kill him, Roy discovers Rocky, a young woman being held captive, and reluctantly takes her with him on his escape. Determined to find safety and sanctuary in Galveston, Roy must find a way to stop his boss from pursuing them while trying to outrun the demons from his and Rocky's pasts.

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Critics Consensus

Galveston's talented cast - and confident direction from Mélanie Laurent - help set this uneven crime drama apart from less distinguished genre entries.

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David Stratton

The Australian

Foster gives a typically strong performance as the troubled protagonist, while Fanning is excellent as the vulnerable Rocky.

Rated: 3.5/5

Apr 5, 2019

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Sandra Hall

Sydney Morning Herald

It's uncompromising but at the end, it does leave some room for hope and Foster, in his intense, contained way, makes Roy's redemption highly plausible unexpectedly poignant.

Rated: 3.5/5

Apr 1, 2019

Full Review

Peter Debruge

Variety

"Galveston" is tough, uncompromising, and hauntingly believable, just a little too slow and a lot too serious for today's typical action audiences.

Oct 19, 2018

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Kip Mooney

Fresh Fiction

It doesn't fail, but it doesn't succeed either.

Rated: C+

Aug 10, 2021

Full Review

Barbara Shulgasser

Common Sense Media

Intense crime drama has graphic violence and sex.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 27, 2020

Full Review

Jim Ross

TAKE ONE Magazine

GALVESTON is far more contemplative than one might expect from the plot synopsis, and confident work from Laurent and the lead actors galvanises the light script to multiplicative effect.

Feb 13, 2020

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Eric V

All along i was hoping for Stan to get payback for his setting up Roy and his cruelty, but both characters die and Stan gets away with it . Depressing, unsatisfactory feeling after watching such a screenplay.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

07/31/25

Full Review

Rosana B

Atuação estupenda de Elle Fanning, chorei horrores de emoção, que filme dolorido, difícil até mensurar a dor, e o que mais dói e saber que muitas meninas e mulheres passar por isso todos os dias, a vida inteira, o suspense e ação, entrecortada nas cenas dramática dão um ar prefeito a película, as cenas de estupro/prostituição são de uma sensibilidade e brutalidade comedida, isso se deve a direção feminina e talentosa de Mélanie Laurent...

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/22/25

Full Review

Kashgar A

Honestly, I can see why the critics liked it, it's well acted, shot and directed. But if you're looking for entertainment you're not going to find it here. There's no thriller plot, no revenge story, as touted in the plot description….it's just pure unadulterated misery from start to finish. I'd have had a better time doing my tax returns. Sure, you can make a movie. But when the story is pointless, why even bother bother?

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

09/15/23

Full Review

Drew F

has some of the most heartbreaking acting you'll ever see from the leads. liked the motel owner a lot as well. just too dark and sad of a third act for my taste. it certainly is effective and well made though.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/04/23

Full Review

Emilliano Jr S

Incoherent, absurd story telling.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

07/20/23

Full Review

Gareth v

Powerful yet bleak story that is carried by the performances of Fanning and Foster.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/22/23

Full Review

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Mélanie Laurent

Director

Ben Foster

Roy Cady

Elle Fanning

Raquel Arceneaux

Lili Reinhart

Tiffany

María Valverde

Carmen

Beau Bridges

Stan

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Galveston: Trailer 1

2:27

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Synopsis

Roy is a heavy-drinking criminal enforcer and mob hit man whose boss set him up in a double-cross scheme. After killing his would-be assassins before they could kill him, Roy discovers Rocky, a young woman being held captive, and reluctantly takes her with him on his escape. Determined to find safety and sanctuary in Galveston, Roy must find a way to stop his boss from pursuing them while trying to outrun the demons from his and Rocky's pasts.

Director: Mélanie Laurent
Producer: Tyler Davidson
Screenwriter: Jim Hammett
Distributor: RLJE Films
Production Co: Jean Doumanian Productions, Low Spark Films
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 19, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 22, 2018
Runtime: 1h 31m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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