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Poster for The Postman Always Rings Twice

The Postman Always Rings Twice

Seen it?

1981 | 122 min | Crime, Romance, Drama, Thriller

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It earned strong reviews (79% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for crime-drama fans, anyone who likes to be kept guessing and romantics. If you loved Anatomy of a Murder or Gone Girl, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Tense, dark and gritty.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 2 min.
What might put you off
Rated R: expect violence and sex.

The sensuous wife of a lunch wagon proprietor and a rootless drifter begin a sordidly steamy affair and conspire to murder her Greek husband.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    79% on Rotten Tomatoes, 61 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    6.5 out of 10

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $12 million worldwide on a $12 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 115K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Bob Rafelson

  • Jack NicholsonFrank Chambers
  • Jessica LangeCora Papadakis
  • John ColicosNick Papadakis
  • Michael LernerMr. Katz
  • John P. RyanKennedy
  • Anjelica HustonMadge
  • William TraylorSackett
  • Thomas HillBarlow
  • Jon Van NessMotorcycle Cop
  • Brian FarrellMortenson