Killing Them Softly

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Killing Them Softly

R

2012

1h 37m

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

74%

Tomatometer

227 Reviews

45%

Popcornmeter

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

Full Review

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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Pongo K

Not very exiting, easy to forget. No real plot, just killing the culprits. Better to spend your time on something else.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

10/14/25

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Jen W

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

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/18/25

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Christian C

Lol, a bunch of whiny reviews from reeeeeeee dard right-wingers, per usual. Even with the “LeFty pOLiTIcS” lambasting the Obama Administration’s failure to ignite the supposed economic overhaul they kept mentioning, those who are whining make it VERY clear that even if you are: a) pointing out that economic recession is BAD b) criticizing a Democratic president they suddenly learn VERY quickly that “lefty” and “liberal” or “Democrat” are not even close to the same thing… In fact, one is - by definition - a believer in private enterprise. The other is - by definition - not.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/02/25

Full Review

Oaklee D

This story driven film is fantastic, it pulled me in and refused to let go. The cast were amazing and really made the film what it is. Definitely recommend it if you haven't watched this movie already as it will rock your socks off.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/16/25

Full Review

thiago s

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

08/04/25

Full Review

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

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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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