Small Town Crime

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2:21

Small Town Crime

R

2018

1h 31m

Crime

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

82%

Tomatometer

38 Reviews

70%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

When alcoholic ex-cop Mike Kendall finds the body of a young woman, he becomes obsessed with redeeming himself by finding the killer. In the process, he puts himself and his family in danger while hanging out with an assortment of shady characters.

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Critics Consensus

Small Town Crime makes for a satisfying modern noir outing, largely thanks to the all-around impressive efforts of a solidly stocked cast led by John Hawkes.

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J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

The movie was written and directed by brothers Ian and Eshom Nelms, who must have thumbed through a few Elmore Leonard paperbacks in their day; their movie offers a similar mix of cagey plotting, easygoing character comedy, and punchy violence.

Mar 10, 2020

Full Review

Glenn Kenny

RogerEbert.com

The movie's tone never quite gels; it's too outlandish and cartoony to convince, but not so outlandish and cartoony that it takes off into a realm of over-the-top exhilaration.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jan 20, 2018

Full Review

Adam Graham

Detroit News

There are enough nice touches and details along the way - including Clifton Collins Jr. as an old school R&B-loving pimp - to make up for its shortcomings.

Rated: B-

Jan 19, 2018

Full Review

Patrick Cavanaugh

The Wolfman Cometh

If you’re a fan of The Long Goodbye but wish everything about it was broader and more bland, then Small Town Crime surely is for you!

Rated: 3/5

May 12, 2023

Full Review

Brian Costello

Common Sense Media

It's the kind of movie that pays heed to the conventions of noir stories while still carving out a space all its own.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 2, 2021

Full Review

Tori Brazier

One Room With A View

A judicious balance between humour and the deadly narrative propelling the film forward ... ensures that the comedy never cheapens or undermines the storyline's impact.

Rated: 5/5

Mar 25, 2021

Full Review

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Jack F

It was ok. Only saw it once. Cool ass car though. Jealous.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/17/25

Full Review

Stephen C

Success in 1 hour and 31 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/31/25

Full Review

dave e

I came across this film just going through what movies were playing and I recorded this one, and enjoyed it very much. The acting was good, the plot was real and I had a great time watching it. Not for children, and some bloody police action!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/02/24

Full Review

James B

it was good good story ending leaves u unfillfilled though

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/04/24

Full Review

Alec C

In this small town, crime can happen in the least likely of situations! As an ex-cop attempts to redeem himself by investigating the body of a murdered prostitute, only to get himself and his loved ones into some mortal danger. Darkly comedic while still staying grounded, this underrated crime drama manages to leave its mark on those who get to watch it!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/01/24

Full Review

Lee R

Hawkes, one of my favorite character actors. Love seeing him in a lead role here. He crushes it!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/25/24

Full Review

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Ian Nelms

Director

Eshom Nelms

Director

John Hawkes

Mike Kendall

Anthony Anderson

Actor

Octavia Spencer

Kelly Banks

Robert Forster

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Small Town Crime: Trailer 1

2:21

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Synopsis

When alcoholic ex-cop Mike Kendall finds the body of a young woman, he becomes obsessed with redeeming himself by finding the killer. In the process, he puts himself and his family in danger while hanging out with an assortment of shady characters.

Director: Ian Nelms, Eshom Nelms
Producer: Parisa Caviani, John J. Kelly, Brad Johnson
Screenwriter: Ian Nelms, Eshom Nelms
Distributor: Saban Films
Production Co: 6 Foot Films
Rating: R (Language|Strong Violence|Some Sexual References)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 19, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 19, 2018
Runtime: 1h 31m

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