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We Own the Night

Play trailer Poster for We Own the Night R Released Oct 12, 2007 1h 58m Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
57% Tomatometer 154 Reviews 61% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
In 1988, New York's police wage an all-out war on drugs, and guilty and innocent alike become casualties. Bobby Green (Joaquin Phoenix), manager of a nightclub that is often frequented by gangsters, tries to remain neutral but hides a potentially fatal secret: His brother (Mark Wahlberg) and father (Robert Duvall) are both cops. After his brother is wounded in an assassination attempt, Bobby can no longer remain neutral. He joins forces with his brother for an all-out assault on the mob.
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We Own the Night

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Critics Consensus

Bland characters, clichéd dialogue and rickety plotting ensure We Own The Night never lives up to its potential.

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Critics Reviews

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Anthony Lane The New Yorker Gray steeps his tale in murky complication, and the staging of every scene, be it downbeat or frantic, is so assured that you barely notice the implausibilities. May 23, 2022 Full Review Adam Nayman The Ringer This is complex stuff, and Gray gives it a sense of gravity that comes through not only in the acting-with Phoenix's increasingly heavy-souled performance anchoring things in nearly every shot-but also the filmmaking. Jul 5, 2018 Full Review Hank Sartin Time Out Rated: 3/5 Nov 18, 2011 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Though we’ve seen this film before in various forms, Gray concocts a well-laid plan for a satisfying crime drama. He may not be Scorsese, and this certainly isn’t The Departed, but it’s pretty damned entertaining. Rated: 3/4 Mar 8, 2024 Full Review Taylor Baker Drink in the Movies One of the top ten chase scenes of the 2000's... Rated: 88/100 Aug 22, 2021 Full Review Bárbara Escamilla Cinemanía (Spain) The talent of the three protagonists shines. [Full review in Spanish] Rated: 3.5/5 Nov 5, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Cfunk D There is a reason this movie is never talked about and not aired on cable ever. It's a waste of time. A bunch of cliches. No great dialogue Rated 1 out of 5 stars 09/26/24 Full Review Jerod S Both sides of the drug culture in New York - Wahlberg and Phoenix as brothers under long time cop Duvall as dad. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 08/25/24 Full Review Huggy B "We Own the Night" emerges as a thriller in the classic sense, masterfully intertwining the gritty elements of crime and drama that aficionados of the genre deeply appreciate. Joaquin Phoenix delivers an excellent performance, embodying the complexity of his character with an intensity that anchors the film's emotional core. Mark Wahlberg, on the other hand, doesn't quite hit the same mark, leaving something to be desired in his role. Robert Duvall, true to form, delivers a profoundly moving performance that's likely to bring tears to the eyes, reminding us of his veteran prowess and depth as an actor. The film doesn't shy away from the raw and real—emotions run high against a backdrop of violence, suspense, and adrenaline-pumping car chases, making for a riveting viewing experience. "We Own the Night" stands out not just for its stellar cast, but for how it skillfully balances these elements to keep viewers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Highly recommended for those who love a well-crafted thriller that knows how to keep the heart racing while touching the soul. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/07/24 Full Review Stoner J I don't get the critic consensus, this movie is my favorite James gray movie by far, super deep and thrilling! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/17/24 Full Review Kyle M If this were made earlier in the pioneering position for the genre, it would be better accepted. Otherwise, with the exception between the resonating performances from the brotherly, well-cast duo and one uniquely fogged up sequence, it's overshadowed by classier hits. (B-) Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/15/24 Full Review Alec B The ending feels a little too abrupt and the Eva Mendes character isn't well defined. However, visually the film is often mesmerizing (the car chase and the final gunfight are both beautiful and frightening) and I like how Gray sets up several different potentially cliched Cop film scenarios, only to knock them down. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 11/10/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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We Own the Night

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Movie Info

Synopsis In 1988, New York's police wage an all-out war on drugs, and guilty and innocent alike become casualties. Bobby Green (Joaquin Phoenix), manager of a nightclub that is often frequented by gangsters, tries to remain neutral but hides a potentially fatal secret: His brother (Mark Wahlberg) and father (Robert Duvall) are both cops. After his brother is wounded in an assassination attempt, Bobby can no longer remain neutral. He joins forces with his brother for an all-out assault on the mob.
Director
James Gray
Producer
Nick Wechsler, Marc Butan, Mark Wahlberg, Joaquin Phoenix
Screenwriter
James Gray
Distributor
Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co
2929 Productions, Industry Entertainment
Rating
R (Drug Material|Brief Nudity|Language|Some Sexual Content|Strong Violence)
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 12, 2007, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 11, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA)
$28.6M
Runtime
1h 58m
Sound Mix
Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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