The Killers
Seen it?1946 | 103 min | Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Friday Night FlickWhy it’s a Friday Night Flick
Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), it drew serious awards attention and it's still drawing plenty of interest. Make plans for this one.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime fans and anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved Out of the Past or Sexy Beast, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Tense, gritty.
- The pace
- Fast-moving, at 1 hr 43 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1946: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Two hit men walk into a diner asking for a man called "the Swede". When the killers find the Swede, he's expecting them and doesn't put up a fight. Since the Swede had a life insurance policy, an investigator, on a hunch, decides to look into the murder. As the Swede's past is laid bare, it comes to light that he was in love with a beautiful woman who may have lured him into pulling off a bank robbery overseen by another man.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
100% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.4 out of 10
- AwardsStrong
Nominated for 4 Oscars.
- Reach & staying powerSolid
Streaming release that reached a modest audience; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 114K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
The Killers
Sunday Safe BetA 1964 remake of this film: a heist crime story, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Out of the Past
Saturday SpecialAnother small-town crime thriller.
The Last Stop in Yuma County Sunday Safe BetAnother heist crime thriller, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Den of Thieves 2: Pantera
Weeknight WatchAnother heist crime thriller, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Sexy Beast Saturday SpecialAnother heist crime thriller.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Robert Siodmak
- Edmond O'BrienJim Reardon
- Burt Lancaster'Swede' Andersen
- Ava GardnerKitty Collins
- Albert DekkerBig Jim Colfax
- Sam LeveneLt. Sam Lubinsky
- Vince BarnettCharleston
- Virginia ChristineLilly Harmon Lubinsky
- Jack Lambert'Dum-Dum' Clarke
- Charles D. BrownPacky Robinson - Ole's Manager
- Donald MacBrideR.S. Kenyon