The Way of the Gun

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The Way of the Gun

R

Released Sep 8, 2000

1h 59m

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

46%

Tomatometer

135 Reviews

70%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

They make no excuses. They don't ask forgiveness. Their story is without compromise, brutal and simple. For contemporary desperados Parker and associate Longbaugh, crime means survival at any cost. Their impromptu plan to kidnap surrogate mother Robin, just weeks from delivering the son of Hale and Francesca Chidduck, seems to be a fast way to cash in on a fat ransom and head for the border. But their haste does indeed make waste.

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Critics Consensus

Christopher McQuarrie may exhibit a way behind the camera in the stylish The Way of the Gun, but his script falters with dull characterization and a plot so needlessly twisty that most viewers will be ready to tune out before the final reveal.

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Stephen Hunter

Washington Post

It's good fun for bad boys.

Jun 18, 2019

Full Review

Desson Thomson

Washington Post

Writer-director Christopher McQuarrie, who wrote The Usual Suspects, has made a film that I admire more than I love, whose ending makes me recoil emotionally, even as I recommend the thing.

Jun 18, 2019

Full Review

Joe Morgenstern

Wall Street Journal

The Way of the Gun is doomy trash, a blood-soaked saga of remorseless killers and natural-born blatherers. I'm sure I've seen worse movies, but nothing so steadfastly unpleasant comes to mind.

Jun 17, 2019

Full Review

Frank J. Avella

The Contending

...a mega-mixed bag—a terrific cast and that snappy McQuarrie dialogue, but little character development beyond the superficial, with no one really worthy of any kind of redemption.

Rated: B-

Jul 15, 2025

Full Review

Joe Lipsett

Queer.Horror.Movies.

Philippe struggles with [the] hard-boiled dialogue, and the pacing is draggy in parts, but overall it's a solid directorial calling card for McQuarrie, particularly his ability to handle multiple types of action.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 12, 2025

Full Review

Douglas Davidson

Elements of Madness

... so many twists, turns, and double-crosses that the duo must contend with that the film itself starts to droop under the weight of everything so the details help keep the audience invested where a trimmer runtime might’ve done the same.

Jun 25, 2025

Full Review

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Avi J

This movie was confused about what it wanted to be. It could've been fun and campy but it was too serious. Strange, boring , slow paced with occasional fun action. Some interesting plot but it all doesn't add up,

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

06/07/25

Full Review

Jelisije J

An underrated gem of an action film that is held together by a unique ensemble of memorable characters that once it was over that I was genially saddened that it ended.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/11/25

Full Review

Laszlo C

It's a fun ride. Some twists and funny lines, great action choreography

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/14/25

Full Review

Terri N

I asked for an underrated movie and I got this… I think it belongs where I found it.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

11/29/24

Full Review

Angle of D

One of the best under rated films ever , absolutely brilliant can watch this over and over again . Why can’t you buy it on iTunes ?

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/27/24

Full Review

Gabriel G

One of my favorite movies, a screenplay with no fat . A movie that you can watch over and over again and still catch something new .

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/22/24

Full Review

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Christopher McQuarrie

Director

Ryan Phillippe

Parker

Benicio del Toro

Longbaugh

James Caan

Sarno

Juliette Lewis

Robin

Taye Diggs

Jeffers

The Way of the Gun: Official Clip - I'm Joe Sarno

3:34

The Way of the Gun: Official Clip - Bullets and Broken Glass

2:52

The Way of the Gun: Official Clip - Pregnant Pause

2:32

The Way of the Gun: Official Clip - Sperm Donors

1:47

The Way of the Gun: Official Clip - Stopped by Sarno

2:59

The Way of the Gun: Official Clip - Raving Bitch Knock-Out

2:06

The Way of the Gun: Official Clip - Second Thoughts

2:51

The Way of the Gun: Official Clip - Shootout at the Whorehouse

3:09

The Way of the Gun: Official Clip - Longshot for Mr. Longbaugh

2:52

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Synopsis

They make no excuses. They don't ask forgiveness. Their story is without compromise, brutal and simple. For contemporary desperados Parker and associate Longbaugh, crime means survival at any cost. Their impromptu plan to kidnap surrogate mother Robin, just weeks from delivering the son of Hale and Francesca Chidduck, seems to be a fast way to cash in on a fat ransom and head for the border. But their haste does indeed make waste.

Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Producer: Kenneth Kokin
Screenwriter: Christopher McQuarrie
Distributor: Artisan Entertainment
Production Co: Artisan Entertainment
Rating: R (Sexuality|Language|Violence)
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 8, 2000, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 1, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $6.0M
Runtime: 1h 59m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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