Set It Off

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Set It Off

R

1996

2h 0m

Action

Mystery & Thriller

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

70%

Tomatometer

37 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

After being fired from her job as a bank teller, Frankie (Vivica A. Fox) begins working at a janitorial service with her friends Tisean (Kimberly Elise), a single mother; Cleo (Queen Latifah), a boisterous lesbian; and Stony (Jada Pinkett), who is dealing with the recent death of her brother. The women are struggling with their finances, so they decide to start robbing banks. At first the group is successful, but they soon attract the attention of an obsessive detective (John C. McGinley).

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Critics Consensus

It may not boast an original plot, but Set It Off is a satisfying, socially conscious heist film thanks largely to fine performances from its leads.

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Rosalind Bentley

Minneapolis Star Tribune

It is perhaps one of the best of the few films in the last several years to give voice to the stress and struggle of being poor, working class, black and female in downsized America.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 26, 2022

Full Review

Alyx Vesey

Bitch Media

An important film that continues to challenge old and new audiences.

Jan 11, 2021

Full Review

Carmen Phillips

Autostraddle

F. Gary Gray does so nearly flawlessly because he understands that first and foremost the story belongs to the Black women upon whose shoulders this entangled mess has always fallen onto in the first place.

Sep 4, 2020

Full Review

Latoya Austin

Cinerama Film

Set It Off transcends and rewrites the classic heist movie through an all-female, all-black group of friends and their love for one another ... it is ultimately a tale of sacrifice, love and belonging .. a heartfelt ode to female friendships

Mar 27, 2023

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...slightly erratic yet mostly engrossing...

Rated: 3/4

Jan 14, 2023

Full Review

Sheila Reid

Women in the Life

I must admit I didn't go into this flick with high expectations. So, I was pleasantly surprised when I thoroughly enjoyed it.

May 16, 2022

Full Review

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Arman T

It is perhaps one of the best of the few films in the last several years to give voice to the stress and struggle of being poor, working class, black and female in downsized America.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/17/25

Full Review

Khalan C

The Story is great, Lesson is strong, Combined with top tier acting and Memorable Soundtrack makes this a certified watch for those want an gripping drama that makes you want to root and sympathize for the bad guys.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/08/25

Full Review

Fidel C

An all time classic. Watched it with my grandma and my family that’s not here no more. Makes me cry every time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/27/24

Full Review

Devon K

A violent, realistic take on the reality of this life. Even when pushed to the absolute edge we must be reminded that decisions, even with good intentions have consequences. Stellar performances from the main cast and great direction from F. Gary Gray. Definitely recommend to fans of the Bank Robbery sub-genre and film buffs! give it a watch.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/23/24

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B Dub

Phenomenal movie! Plenty of dramatic scenes with an amazing storyline! Perfect cast with this movie too!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/10/24

Full Review

Audience Member

F. Gary Gray breaks new ground 4 black women have been screwed by the justice system in Los Angeles So they decide to get back at the higher powers by robbing a series of banks covering their expenses The sympathetic bank robbers genre is injected with new life thanks to Gray 4 great leads, amazing shots of the LA cityscape, intense camera angles, sharp social commentary, and slick cinematography with washed out blues The shootouts and the car chases are fierce as well A pleasant surprise being more socially conscious than the average heist movie that also challenges audiences new and old

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/18/23

Full Review

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F. Gary Gray

Director

Jada Pinkett Smith

Lida "Stony" Newsom

Queen Latifah

Cleo Sims

Vivica A. Fox

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Synopsis

After being fired from her job as a bank teller, Frankie (Vivica A. Fox) begins working at a janitorial service with her friends Tisean (Kimberly Elise), a single mother; Cleo (Queen Latifah), a boisterous lesbian; and Stony (Jada Pinkett), who is dealing with the recent death of her brother. The women are struggling with their finances, so they decide to start robbing banks. At first the group is successful, but they soon attract the attention of an obsessive detective (John C. McGinley).

Director: F. Gary Gray
Producer: Dale Pollock, Oren Koules, Kate Lanier
Screenwriter: Kate Lanier, Takashi Bufford
Production Co: New Line Cinema
Rating: R
Genre: Action, Mystery & Thriller, Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 1, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $36.1M
Runtime: 2h 0m
Sound Mix: Surround

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