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Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang

Play trailer Poster for Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang R Released Nov 11, 2005 1h 42m Mystery & Thriller LGBTQ+ Play Trailer Watchlist
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86% Tomatometer 183 Reviews 87% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
Two-bit crook Harry Lockhart (Robert Downey Jr.) stumbles into an audition for a mystery film while on the run from the cops. Winning the part, he lands in Hollywood, where he's flung into a tangled, murderous conspiracy with his childhood sweetheart, Harmony Lane (Michelle Monaghan), and hard-boiled private eye Perry van Shrike (Val Kilmer). This deadpan, affectionate parody of film noir tropes is named for film critic Pauline Kael's influential 1968 collection of film reviews and essays.
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Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang

Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang

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Critics Consensus

Tongue-in-cheek satire blends well with entertaining action and spot-on performances in this dark, eclectic neo-noir homage.

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Critics Reviews

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Christopher Orr The Atlantic The plot of the film is almost willfully convoluted. But it's also largely beside the point, an excuse for quite a few good scenes, most of them equal parts homage and subversion. Dec 14, 2014 Full Review Wendy Ide The Times (UK) A sarky, sniping film noir homage that assassinates the character of every LA archetype you could imagine. Dec 14, 2014 Full Review Philippa Hawker The Age (Australia) A self-referential noir-screwball-action movie that never wears out its welcome -- although it delights in taking that risk, over and over again. Rated: 4/5 Dec 14, 2014 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy From its opening moments, it’s clear Black isn’t making a buddy/action movie as much as a send-up of a buddy/action movie. Rated: 3/4 Apr 9, 2025 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Although the novelty of a protagonist whos aware hes in a noir thriller grows tiresome, the comic banter between Downey Jr. and Kilmer remains priceless for much of the film. Rated: 3/4 Apr 15, 2022 Full Review Jason Shawhan Nashville Scene Funny, violent, smart and pitched perfectly to anyone who wants their own sun-blasted dirtbag Christmas mystery, this could be your It's A Wonderful Life. Sep 10, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Adam K Despite all the blood, Kiss/Bang ends up being a remarkably good-natured and surprisingly moralistic little film. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/03/25 Full Review Olivia J Black plays with the 21st-century spectator's expectations of perverse plot twists to highlight his characters' humanity. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/02/25 Full Review Piya S This satire works thanks to Shane Black's assured direction. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/01/25 Full Review Ron J As though he were revisiting the 1970s' reimagining of the 1930s film noir, Black plays with the 21st-century spectator's expectations of perverse plot twists to highlight his characters' humanity. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 09/30/25 Full Review Oliver C Funny, violent, smart and pitched perfectly to anyone who wants their own sun-blasted dirtbag Christmas mystery, this could be your It's A Wonderful Life. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/25/25 Full Review Alana M As though he were revisiting the 1970s' reimagining of the 1930s film noir, Black plays with the 21st-century spectator's expectations of perverse plot twists to highlight his characters' humanity. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/24/25 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis Two-bit crook Harry Lockhart (Robert Downey Jr.) stumbles into an audition for a mystery film while on the run from the cops. Winning the part, he lands in Hollywood, where he's flung into a tangled, murderous conspiracy with his childhood sweetheart, Harmony Lane (Michelle Monaghan), and hard-boiled private eye Perry van Shrike (Val Kilmer). This deadpan, affectionate parody of film noir tropes is named for film critic Pauline Kael's influential 1968 collection of film reviews and essays.
Director
Shane Black
Producer
Shane Black, Joel Silver
Screenwriter
Shane Black
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
Silver Pictures, Warner Brothers
Rating
R (Nudity|Language|Sexuality|Violence)
Genre
Mystery & Thriller, LGBTQ+
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 11, 2005, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
May 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$4.2M
Runtime
1h 42m
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