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The Ref

Play trailer 1:46 Poster for The Ref R 1994 1h 33m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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73% Tomatometer 56 Reviews 73% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
Bickering spouses (Judy Davis, Kevin Spacey) annoy the cat burglar (Denis Leary) who takes them hostage in their Connecticut home.
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The Ref

The Ref

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Critics Consensus

Undeniably uneven and too dark for some, The Ref nonetheless boasts strong turns from Denis Leary, Judy Davis, and Kevin Spacey, as well as a sharply funny script.

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Critics Reviews

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Kelly Vance Chicago Reader Jun 6, 2022
3/4
Demme and the screenwriters take care to fill out the scenario with vividly drawn characters such as Raymond J. Barry’s sardonic police chief and Robert Steinmiller Jr.’s Jesse. Go to Full Review Jason Bailey Flavorwire Jan 4, 2017
It's not just a Denis Leary vehicle. It's a real movie, with drama and grace and intelligence (and slapstick and drunk Santa gags and crude laughs). Go to Full Review Jeff Shannon Seattle Times Dec 6, 2013
3/4
It's miraculous casting, and the Australian Davis -- for my money the finest actress around, bar none -- is simply uncanny in her command of East Coast gentility combined with razor-sharp timing and comedic expression. Go to Full Review Jeff Simon Buffalo News Feb 29, 2024
3.5/5
No matter how clever the script sometimes is, the laughs elicited by this movie are cheap, tinny sitcom laughs. Go to Full Review Patrick McDonald HollywoodChicago.com Dec 17, 2023
3.5/4
Often cited by many as a favorite Christmas film. Why? Because it depicts family ties at its most honest and painful, which is closest to the truth of what and who we are, especially in the midst of fake cheer of the holidays. W/Pat&Ken At the Holidays! Go to Full Review Rachel Wagner rachelsreviews.net Mar 21, 2019
C+
If you are in the mood for something different at Christmas than The Ref might be a fun choice for you. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Susie G @Creamcheese Dec 29, 2025 Loved it but we love Spacey and Baranski. Almost as good and dark as Bad Santa. See more Tom F @RT79860688 Nov 29, 2025 There are a few good laugh lines but then it grinds to a halt as it gets all serious. The pacing absolutely stinks for a comedy. And I'm writing this review before it's even over, that's how little I care. See more Ricky D @RT63853400 Dec 25, 2024 I absolutely enjoyed this movie. One of my favorites Christmas movies full of laughs but it’s hard to find. See more Mar 12, 2024 Denis Leary is the ref but not a very good one it seems He plays a burglar Gus, it's Christmas time and he's in the middle of robbing a mansion in Connecticut But what he didn't count on was running into a bickering couple Lloyd and Caroline Gus not only has to make them hostages but also deal with their relatives and their many issues Some nice co-stars include Kevin Spacey, Judy Davis, and Christine Baranski I didn’t like a single character in this, mainly it’s so much bickering back and forth with minor subplots that never flesh out but at least Leary is keeping the whole thing together reading these lines in quick flawless succession See more Rich G @Rich0826 Dec 12, 2023 Had become one of my favorite holiday movies. Some seriously funny lines.. good fun! See more Renay M @RenayEmm Dec 8, 2023 Slap happy comedy that has some real depth. Leary was made for this role. See more Read all reviews
The Ref

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Cast & Crew

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Ted Demme

Director

Denis Leary

Gus

Judy Davis

Caroline Chasseur

Kevin Spacey

Lloyd Chasseur

Robert J. Steinmiller Jr.

Jesse Chasseur

Glynis Johns

Rose Chasseur

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The Ref

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The Ref

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Movie Info

Synopsis Bickering spouses (Judy Davis, Kevin Spacey) annoy the cat burglar (Denis Leary) who takes them hostage in their Connecticut home.
Director
Ted Demme
Producer
Ronald M. Bozman, Richard LaGravenese, Jeff Weiss
Screenwriter
Marie Weiss, Richard LaGravenese
Distributor
Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co
Touchstone Pictures
Rating
R (Language)
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 9, 1994, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 18, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$11.3M
Runtime
1h 33m
Sound Mix
Dolby, Surround
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