Road to Perdition

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2:43

Road to Perdition

R

2002

1h 56m

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

82%

Tomatometer

214 Reviews

86%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Mike Sullivan (Tom Hanks) is an enforcer for powerful Depression-era Midwestern mobster John Rooney (Paul Newman). Rooney's son, Connor (Daniel Craig), is jealous of the close bond they share, and when Mike's eldest son, Michael (Tyler Hoechlin), witnesses a hit, Connor uses the incident as an excuse to murder Sullivan's wife (Jennifer Jason Leigh) and youngest son. Forced to flee, Sullivan and Michael set out on a journey of revenge and self-discovery.

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Critics Consensus

Somber, stately, and beautifully mounted, Sam Mendes' Road to Perdition is a well-crafted mob movie that explores the ties between fathers and sons.

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Namrata Joshi

Outlook

A beautiful elegy to a decaying world whose sadness lingers on.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 3, 2019

Full Review

Mike Clark

USA Today

So is Perdition still a must-see? No question. But it's tough to fuss about it much when a picture is this fussy.

Rated: 3/4

Apr 14, 2013

Full Review

David Denby

The New Yorker

Visually, the picture is all of a piece, but it's a self-conscious piece of work -- all dark-toned academic classicism.

Apr 14, 2013

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Based on a graphic novel – of the non-superhero kind – and directed artistically by Mendes, this is an unusual genre foray, yet a tremendously satisfying tale of vengeance and redemption.

Rated: 8/10

Aug 23, 2025

Full Review

Fico Cangiano

CineXpress Podcast

A fantastic exploration of violence, envy, loyalty, and relationships between fathers and sons, done through a superb old-school, throwback gangster film. Tom Hanks, Paul Newman and Daniel Craig are phenomenal. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 4/5

Jun 5, 2024

Full Review

Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

Eventually the movie folds up into complete pictorialism.

Rated: C

Sep 17, 2022

Full Review

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David S.

Not bad. It is a little bit long, and some of the plot is thin, but otherwise a solid gangster flick, with many actors playing against type, and an interesting, if a bit of violent film. Classic not for everyone, but hey, you like this type of movie, there are worse films!!!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/25/25

Full Review

Jack F

I hated this movie. I started it, then left it for a while because it was so boring. I eventually thugged it out, and finished it. I don't want to see it again.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

11/21/25

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TYLER M.

I love where Tom Hanks protects his own son for the whole entire movie this movie is really really good

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/18/25

Full Review

Wally W

A beautifully crafted and deeply affecting film. Its Oscar-winning cinematography is a standout, elevating every frame with mood and meaning. At its core, the story weaves father-son themes across multiple relationships, using them to explore how violence ripples through generations. The result is a moving, visually striking film that lingers long after the credits roll.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/18/25

Full Review

Matthew L.

Extremely good and enjoyable movie. Based on real history! Road to Perdition hit me harder than I expected. This movie isn’t just a crime drama to me — it’s personal. The story of John, the main character, directly reflects my own family’s history, as the real John was actually wanted by the pinkertons for $2000 in real life. Watching this play out on screen felt like seeing a piece of my family’s past brought to life. Tom Hanks absolutely nailed his role — he captures the quiet intensity, moral conflict, and deep love of a father trying to protect his son amidst chaos. Every scene feels emotionally charged, and the film’s atmosphere pulls you straight into that haunting time period. While it’s dark and tragic, there’s beauty in how it explores loyalty, redemption, and family. It’s one of those films that stays with you long after it ends. A near-perfect movie that feels real in more ways than one.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/28/25

Full Review

Harold C.

Handsomely crafted and anchored by Tom Hanks’s restrained performance, this gangster tale might tread familiar ground, but Conrad Hall’s cinematography and Thomas Newman’s elegiac score elevate it into something quietly moving. Jude Law’s unsettling turn adds a unique edge, and while some character motivations feel murky, the film’s melancholy tone and father-son focus make it resonate well beyond its genre trappings.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/11/25

Full Review

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Sam Mendes

Director

Tom Hanks

Michael Sullivan

Paul Newman

John Rooney

Jude Law

Maguire

Jennifer Jason Leigh

Jennifer Sullivan

Stanley Tucci

Frank Nitti

Road to Perdition: Official Clip - Give Me the Gun

2:13

Road to Perdition: Official Clip - None of Us Will See Heaven

2:09

Road to Perdition: Official Clip - I'm Glad It's You

2:13

Road to Perdition: Official Clip - A Share of the Money

1:10

Road to Perdition: Official Clip - You Would Like to Apologize?

2:03

Road to Perdition: Official Clip - Kill Sullivan and All Debts are Paid

2:06

Road to Perdition: Official Clip - You Saw Everything

2:12

Road to Perdition: Official Clip - Sons Are Put on this Earth

1:37

Road to Perdition: Official Clip - Hotel Shootout

2:08

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Road to Perdition: Trailer 1

2:43

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Synopsis

Mike Sullivan (Tom Hanks) is an enforcer for powerful Depression-era Midwestern mobster John Rooney (Paul Newman). Rooney's son, Connor (Daniel Craig), is jealous of the close bond they share, and when Mike's eldest son, Michael (Tyler Hoechlin), witnesses a hit, Connor uses the incident as an excuse to murder Sullivan's wife (Jennifer Jason Leigh) and youngest son. Forced to flee, Sullivan and Michael set out on a journey of revenge and self-discovery.

Director: Sam Mendes
Producer: Sam Mendes, Richard D. Zanuck, Dean Zanuck
Screenwriter: David Self
Distributor: DreamWorks SKG
Production Co: Zanuck Company
Rating: R (Violence|Language)
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 12, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $104.1M
Runtime: 1h 56m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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