Taking Lives

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Taking Lives

R

Released Mar 16, 2004

1h 43m

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

21%

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157 Reviews

54%

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50,000+ Ratings

An insidious serial killer is impersonating his victims' identities as he travels across Canada. A recent spate of murders in Montreal has brought FBI Agent Illeana Scott (Angelina Jolie) north to investigate. Scott's unusual methods quickly earn the suspicion of the local police but bring her close to art dealer James Costa (Ethan Hawke), who says he was an eyewitness to the latest murder. Sparks develop between the two as Costa's role becomes crucial in their effort to apprehend the killer.

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Critics Consensus

A stylish, but predictable thriller where the only thrills are offered by the sensuous Angelina Jolie.

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Antonia Quirke

London Evening Standard

Taking Lives is a foolish thriller full of actors who deserve better.

Dec 15, 2017

Full Review

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

A couple of genuine thrills but not for kids.

Rated: 2/5

Dec 28, 2010

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Nick Schager

Lessons of Darkness

Taking Lives won't kill you, but it will steal precious hours you'll never have back.

Rated: D+

May 4, 2005

Full Review

Kaleem Aftab

The List

Taking Lives nicks characters from other flicks without any shame.

Rated: 2/5

Apr 18, 2019

Full Review

Kevin Carr

Fat Guys at the Movies

From the opening credits, it was nearly impossible to shake the feeling that Taking Lives was desperately trying to be the next Seven.

Rated: 2/5

Jan 17, 2016

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Peter Canavese

Groucho Reviews

Willfully stupid and obvious for most of its running time, this serial-killer thriller lulls the audience into one gasp-worthy, rug-pulling moment that, while stupid, isn't exactly obvious. [Blu-ray]

Rated: 2/4

May 20, 2009

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Pedro Henrique C

Taking Lives (2004) could have been a great crime thriller, but its execution was very disappointing and weak. I have to say I spotted the criminal early on.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/02/25

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Erdem M

Fair warning, spoilers ahead. While the killer was predictable, the bad guy was not. The ending is worth watching the whole movie for. While you think you have it all figured out throughout the entire movie, the director manages to whack you with a curve ball that you simply could not see coming with the last scene. Probably the most disturbing film I've seen in years starring Angelina Jolie.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/17/25

Full Review

Rob M

This Movie is just as bad as it's worst critics say it is. Cheap and nasty on a decent budget with a star studded cast and a plot that sickens by degrees as it continues. Around about the car chase, even the most cup half full viewer will reach for the remote unless they've decided to ride it out just to see how bad it gets. I felt dirty and used but I deserved it for hanging in there till the bitter end!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

05/12/25

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Oaklee D

A predictable and far fetched crime film that tries really hard to be the next SE7EN.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

10/09/24

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John A

(Uncut Version) Far better than the reviews across the internet indicate. Striking visuals and auteur style direction.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/12/24

Full Review

Andrea C

"Taking lives" vive e muore con i suoi primi minuti, in cui un giovane Paul Dano con l'aiuto di una regia coraggiosa e forte, crea il colpo di scena più impetuoso del film, facendo sobbalzare sulla sedia lo spettatore. Da quel momento in avanti, la sceneggiatura resta in un limbo tra indagini, rapporti personali e profiling del serial killer; il tutto senza riuscire ad essere soddisfacente in nessuno di questi temi, toccandone solo la superficie e collegando il tutto con una serie notevole ed esagerata di grosse forzature, sia nelle azioni che nei dialoghi. Il riassunto perfetto di ciò che non è stato e ciò che invece (purtroppo) è, si presenta con l'ultima sequenza improbabile nella ricerca di un colpo di scena sempre più grosso del precedente. Pregio iniziale e condanna in seguito è proprio questa lunga ed imponente sequenza di colpi di sena improbabili.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

06/04/23

Full Review

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D.J. Caruso

Director

Angelina Jolie

Illeana

Ethan Hawke

Costa

Kiefer Sutherland

Hart

Olivier Martinez

Paquette

Tchéky Karyo

Leclair

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Synopsis

An insidious serial killer is impersonating his victims' identities as he travels across Canada. A recent spate of murders in Montreal has brought FBI Agent Illeana Scott (Angelina Jolie) north to investigate. Scott's unusual methods quickly earn the suspicion of the local police but bring her close to art dealer James Costa (Ethan Hawke), who says he was an eyewitness to the latest murder. Sparks develop between the two as Costa's role becomes crucial in their effort to apprehend the killer.

Director: D.J. Caruso
Producer: Bruce Berman, Mark Canton
Screenwriter: Jon Bokenkamp
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Warner Brothers, Village Roadshow Prod., Taking Lives Films
Rating: R (Language|Disturbing Images|Some Sexuality|Strong Violence)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 16, 2004, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 23, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $32.7M
Runtime: 1h 43m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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