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Before the Devil Knows You're Dead

Play trailer Poster for Before the Devil Knows You're Dead R 2007 1h 56m Crime Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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89% Tomatometer 180 Reviews 72% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Andy (Philip Seymour Hoffman), a debt-ridden broker, needs some quick cash. He ropes his younger brother, Hank (Ethan Hawke), into a scheme to commit the perfect crime: to rob their parents' (Albert Finney, Rosemary Harris) jewelry store. The scheme goes horribly awry, and the family patriarch takes justice into his own hands, unaware that the criminals he is hunting are his own sons.

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Before the Devil Knows You're Dead

Before the Devil Knows You're Dead

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Critics Consensus

A tense and effective thriller, Before the Devil Knows You're Dead marks a triumphant return to form for director Sidney Lumet.

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Critics Reviews

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Candice Frederick Reel Talk Online 09/12/2017
A-
I enjoyed it all the way through the last second. Go to Full Review Jordan Hoffman UGO 08/14/2009
A-
Suspense and action would be enough to seal this film, but the feeling of dread, that under different circumstances this could be us, makes this a heist picture for the ages. Go to Full Review Christopher Orr The New Republic 09/18/2008
The movie's title comes from the Irish toast, 'May you be in Heaven half an hour before the Devil knows you're dead.' Unfortunately, everyone in the film is running about 35 minutes late. Go to Full Review Joseph Tomastik Loud and Clear Reviews Jul 12
4/5
A hectic unraveling of two men whose very different lives bring them to the same violent head. Go to Full Review Ray Pride Newcity 08/29/2024
10/10
Told with force and assurance, hewing to primal archetypes of family and fate; economy of means; elegance of composition; a sense of time and place that is immediately coherent and memorable; a bracing sense of humor. Go to Full Review Kathy Fennessy Seattle Film Blog 03/17/2024
3.4/4
Fortunately, [Sidney] Lumet's hard work has paid off this time around--the title comes from the Irish toast, "May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil knows you're dead"--and he's currently at work on his 45th feature in 50 years. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Meri S. @mschroeder Mar 6 Great cast. This is one of those movies where it’s just one bad decision after another with some really dysfunctional people, and disastrous outcomes. No real redeeming characters. It did Keep my attention. The ending fell a little flat since we don’t find out what happens to Hank, Ethan Hawke’s character. See more Oaklee D @ODie63 Feb 21 Two brothers make a choice that destroy their lives and many others. The film builds up and up to a devastating conclusion. Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Ethan Hawke have fantastic chemistry. Definitely recommend it. See more Troy R @Grim16 Feb 17 Decent acting, decent story, but nothing too special. Some interesting twists and unclear motives, but ultimately just a kind of middle of the road crime/mystery movie. Also not a fan of the jumping around. Didn't really feel like it added a ton to the movie and extended the run time a little. Ending was good but a little underwhelming. See more Rick D @RT94139684 Feb 10 This movie was terrific as the key characters kept being dragged into a deeper and deeper hole by the events that unfold. I kept thinking it can't get worse, and then it does. Great cast and acting. See more Paul S @PManRager Dec 25 It might've been a little slow, but other than that, I can't find a single thing wrong with this movie. It had a great story, amazing acting, and was really fun to watch. I definitely recommend it for crime and drama fans! See more Steven S. @stevesneed Dec 21 Not a good movie. Wasted 2 hours. See more Read all reviews
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead

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Cast & Crew

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Sidney Lumet

Director

Philip Seymour Hoffman

Andy Hanson

Ethan Hawke

Hank

Marisa Tomei

Gina

Albert Finney

Charles

Rosemary Harris

Nanette

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Before the Devil Knows You're Dead

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Movie Info

Synopsis Andy (Philip Seymour Hoffman), a debt-ridden broker, needs some quick cash. He ropes his younger brother, Hank (Ethan Hawke), into a scheme to commit the perfect crime: to rob their parents' (Albert Finney, Rosemary Harris) jewelry store. The scheme goes horribly awry, and the family patriarch takes justice into his own hands, unaware that the criminals he is hunting are his own sons.
Director
Sidney Lumet
Producer
Michael Cerenzie, Brian Linse, Paul Parmar, William S. Gilmore
Screenwriter
Kelly Masterson
Distributor
ThinkFilm
Production Co
Capitol Films, Funky Buddha Productions, Unity Productions
Rating
R (Language|Drug Use|Nudity|Strong Graphic Sexuality|Violence)
Genre
Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 26, 2007, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 15, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$7.1M
Runtime
1h 56m