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Criminal

Play trailer Poster for Criminal R 2004 1h 27m Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
69% Tomatometer 119 Reviews 57% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Needing a new partner capable of intricate cons, Richard Gaddis (John C. Reilly), recruits Rodrigo (Diego Luna), a crook with a perfect poker face. The two plan a big-time scam: selling a fake Silver Certificate to currency collector William Hannigan (Peter Mullan). Rodrigo distrusts his new associate, but needs money to help out his ill father. The situation becomes more complicated when Rodrigo falls for Gaddis' sister, Valerie (Maggie Gyllenhaal), drawing another player into the game.
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Criminal

Criminal

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Critics Consensus

If you saw Nine Queens, it may feel redundant, but the snappy performances make it fun to watch.

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Critics Reviews

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Nell Minow Common Sense Media Dec 22, 2010
3/5
This con man movie is best for older teens and up. Go to Full Review Nick Schager Lessons of Darkness May 3, 2005
C+
A second-generation photocopy of a David Mamet cryptogram. Go to Full Review Susan Walker Toronto Star Sep 24, 2004
3/5
With dashes of black humour and pointed glimpses of the American class system, Criminal is a taut con-versus-con game whose deft artistry isn't fully revealed until the last few minutes. Go to Full Review James Mottram The List Apr 23, 2019
3/5
There's nothing stars John C. Reilly and Diego Luna can do to make you forget you're watching the same story. Go to Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews Nov 23, 2017
3/4
Filmmaker Gregory Jacobs, making his debut here, delivers an opening half hour that's perhaps not as compelling as it could (or should) have been... Go to Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Sep 16, 2017
C
A witless high-concept action film that's forgettable. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jeremy A @RT36671323 Jan 2, 2025 A good little con movie. Not predictable and the ending was good. 4* See more Kyle M @RT77296778 Apr 12, 2024 A successful con isn't the expectation simplifying its presentation, it's the sensed trick in the sleeve waiting to be pulled out, and that went meta through the detours to make the slick direction's-built revelation the more surprising even though it couldn't go further for preferred satisfaction. In addition, while you have the con all set up, it needs to be convincing which beneficially relies on the cast to smoothly flow the narrative quite effectively to uphold engagement. (B) See more Jeffrey P @vanillavoodoo1 Mar 25, 2024 Uncomplicated and snappy with a twist that works even though you basically know it's coming. Main plot needed to be better explained, and how it was supposed to work. See more Frank P @FrankieP543 Oct 6, 2023 enjoyable film. Saw this on an airplane during an 8 hour flight, which may be the reason I had difficulty understanding the ending. Pretty good plot and acting, but you get the idea that somebody's gonna get screwed from the very beginning, it's just a matter of who. See more Harrison R @clinthoward May 25, 2023 Not the best heist/switcheroo movie ever, but pretty entertaining See more georgan g @RT98616417 Jan 8, 2023 If you like con artist movies, this is for you. Its complex plot keeps you guessing until the very end. See more Read all reviews
Criminal

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Cast & Crew

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Gregory Jacobs

Director

John C. Reilly

Richard Gaddis

Diego Luna

Rodrigo

Maggie Gyllenhaal

Valerie Gaddis

Jonathan Tucker

Michael Gaddis

Peter Mullan

William Hannigan

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Criminal

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Movie Info

Synopsis Needing a new partner capable of intricate cons, Richard Gaddis (John C. Reilly), recruits Rodrigo (Diego Luna), a crook with a perfect poker face. The two plan a big-time scam: selling a fake Silver Certificate to currency collector William Hannigan (Peter Mullan). Rodrigo distrusts his new associate, but needs money to help out his ill father. The situation becomes more complicated when Rodrigo falls for Gaddis' sister, Valerie (Maggie Gyllenhaal), drawing another player into the game.
Director
Gregory Jacobs
Producer
Steven Soderbergh, George Clooney
Screenwriter
Gregory Jacobs, Fabián Bielinsky, Steven Soderbergh
Distributor
Warner Independent
Production Co
Warner Brothers, Criminal Films Inc., Section Eight Ltd.
Rating
R (Language)
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 10, 2004, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 2, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA)
$923.4K
Runtime
1h 27m
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