Killing Them Softly

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Killing Them Softly

R

Released Nov 30, 2012

1h 37m

Crime

Drama

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Popcornmeter

74%

Tomatometer

230 Reviews

45%

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100,000+ Ratings

When rival crook Johnny Amato (Vincent Curatola) hatches a plan to rob a card game run by mob lackey Markie (Ray Liotta), he picks a low-rent thug named Frankie (Scoot McNairy) to do the job. Frankie picks a less-than-ideal partner (Ben Mendelsohn) to help him, but despite their combined incompetence, they manage to make off with the mob's money. In retaliation, Markie's bosses hire Jackie Cogan (Brad Pitt), a mob enforcer, to eradicate those responsible.

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Critics Consensus

Killing Them Softly is a darkly comic, visceral thriller that doubles as a cautionary tale on capitalism, whose message is delivered with sledgehammer force.

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Cary Darling

Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com

The anvils of obviousness rain down so hard and fast in New Zealand-born/Australian-based director Andrew Dominik's meditation on low-rent crime and American decline, that it might as well be a Coyote-Road Runner cartoon

Rated: 3/5

Dec 3, 2012

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Christopher Orr

The Atlantic

Like its source material, the movie is stylish, profane, intelligent, and eminently diverting. But as much as it is a delight that Dominik has disinterred Higgins's work, it is a mild disappointment that the result is not more substantial.

Nov 30, 2012

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Caryn James

James on screenS

A disappointing, derivative noir that gets its spark from Pitt and Gandolfini's performances. Slight and pulpy, but it's aiming for arty and trenchant.

Nov 30, 2012

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Although it’s bound to be divisive for its unconventional structure, ruthless tone, and the cynical nature of its message, Killing Them Softly is a rare, exceedingly enjoyable, bleakly comic noir story.

Rated: 4/4

Sep 20, 2022

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Cory Woodroof

615 Film

A dirty, furious little gangster flick with as much to say about capitalism as it does how futile a life it is to live in this world.

Jul 6, 2022

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

...ahead of the curve in terms of portraying the inherent nihilism of today's society...

Rated: 4/5

Jan 21, 2022

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Stephen C

Success in 1 hour and 37 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated R for Some Drug References, Pervasive Language, Some Drug Use and Violence!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $14,900,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/20/25

Full Review

Zardoz Z

This is not what I'd call a bad film, but it's a ways from a great film. Although the violence was there, there could have been more! A bit too chatty and gibber jabby halfway through. I think Gandofini deserved a much stronger character!

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

07/18/25

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Audience Member

Great movie! Brad Pitt was so unexpectedly awesome in this! Loved it from the start to end.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/01/25

Full Review

Audience Member

Why is Brad Pitt on this movie? I'm halfway through it and all he's gonna sit in the car and talk to a guy. And no i'm not gonna watch the rest of it

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

05/20/25

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Mark A

Very boring a waste of time

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

04/06/25

Full Review

Chief B

I honestly don't know why this movie gets so much negativity. For me it was great from start to finish. I like Brad Pitt's performance as the cold blooded but intelligent and cunning hitman Cogan. Rest of the actors did a solid job too. The cinematography and dialogues are pretty entertaining too. The movie's pacing is perfect and the running time is also perfect. I enjoyed it thoroughly

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/23/25

Full Review

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Andrew Dominik

Director

Brad Pitt

Jackie Cogan

Scoot McNairy

Frankie

Ben Mendelsohn

Russell

Richard Jenkins

Driver

James Gandolfini

Mickey

Killing Them Softly: Official Clip - Mickey

2:05

Killing Them Softly: Official Clip - Killing Johnny Amato

2:11

Killing Them Softly: Official Clip - Mickey Can't Do It

2:21

Killing Them Softly: Official Clip - The Man Comes Around

2:27

Killing Them Softly: Official Clip - Poker Heist

3:42

Killing Them Softly: Official Clip - Frankie & Russell

1:33

Killing Them Softly: Official Clip - Kill Them Softly

2:11

Killing Them Softly: Official Clip - Heroin

2:07

Killing Them Softly: Official Clip - Dillon Interrogates Markie

2:22

Killing Them Softly: Official Clip - American Dream

2:25

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Synopsis

When rival crook Johnny Amato (Vincent Curatola) hatches a plan to rob a card game run by mob lackey Markie (Ray Liotta), he picks a low-rent thug named Frankie (Scoot McNairy) to do the job. Frankie picks a less-than-ideal partner (Ben Mendelsohn) to help him, but despite their combined incompetence, they manage to make off with the mob's money. In retaliation, Markie's bosses hire Jackie Cogan (Brad Pitt), a mob enforcer, to eradicate those responsible.

Director: Andrew Dominik
Producer: Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Steve Schwartz, Paula Mae Schwartz, Anthony Katagas
Screenwriter: Andrew Dominik
Distributor: Weinstein Co.
Production Co: Plan B Entertainment, Chockstone Pictures
Rating: R (Some Drug References|Pervasive Language|Some Drug Use|Violence)
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 30, 2012, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 30, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $14.9M
Runtime: 1h 37m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital, DTS

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