Taking Lives

Play trailer

Taking Lives

R

Released Mar 16, 2004

1h 43m

Mystery & Thriller

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

22%

Tomatometer

158 Reviews

54%

Popcornmeter

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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

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

Read Critics Reviews

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

Full Review

Empire Magazine

Rated: 2/5

Apr 1, 2006

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

Read all reviews

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

luca d

nothing special. the plot is something that is too obvious and you need just ten minutes to understand who's the villan.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

09/22/23

Full Review

Chloe L

The best thing about the movie is the Cast but I don't think the Cast is proud to be associated with this movie. Very low level of a plot thriller, some jumps, some nudity, some car chase, some impossible explosion, some twists poorly produced. Deja vu.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

08/19/23

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

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

D.J. Caruso

Director

Angelina Jolie

Illeana

Ethan Hawke

Costa

Kiefer Sutherland

Hart

Olivier Martinez

Paquette

Tchéky Karyo

Leclair

Eye of the Beholder

9%

32%

Eye of the Beholder

Watchlist

Twisted

2%

31%

Twisted

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Twisted

Spartan

65%

62%

Spartan

Watchlist

Freeze Frame

71%

60%

Freeze Frame

Watchlist

Eyewitness

73%

40%

Eyewitness

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

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)

Most Popular at Home Now