Clay Pigeons

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Clay Pigeons

R

1998

1h 44m

Mystery & Thriller

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

63%

Tomatometer

52 Reviews

68%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

In a small Montana town, Clay Bidwell (Joaquin Phoenix) finds himself increasingly surrounded by dead bodies, making him the chief suspect of an FBI murder investigation. First, his best friend kills himself during a hunting trip after discovering Clay is having an affair with his wife, Amanda (Georgina Cates). A remorseful Clay starts dating waitress Gloria (Nikki Arlyn), who is killed by the vengeful Amanda. Meanwhile, Clay becomes friends with serial killer Lester Long (Vince Vaughn).

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Critics Consensus

Joaquin Phoenix, Janeane Garofalo, and Vince Vaughn play for kills in this dark comedy, but the film's aim misses some of those Clay Pigeons.

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Paul Tatara

CNN.com

Feb 6, 2018

One of those post-Coen Brothers crime thingys that goes to extremes to make sure that everyone knows the filmmakers are too painfully cool to really mean anything they're showing you.

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Dennis Harvey

Variety

Mar 26, 2009

Slanted as a black comedy, but fails to secure the sufficiently outre tone (let alone any real suspense) needed to make it more than a middling retread.

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Derek Adams

Time Out

Feb 9, 2006

This quirky comedy thriller, produced by Ridley Scott, is both blackly funny and, at times, tensely disturbing and quite macabre.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Jul 31, 2021

2.5/4

Playing twitchy crazies isn't Vaughn's strong suit, a point made crystal clear with the subsequent release of the same year's abysmal Psycho remake with Vaughn as Norman Bates.

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Joe Leydon

The Moving Picture Show

Jul 26, 2014

2.5/4

Call this one Fargo Lite, and you won't be far off the mark.

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Ron Wells

Film Threat

Dec 6, 2005

4/5

Vince Vaughn may play the two best movie serial killers this year if his Norman Bates rendition can match his performance in Clay Pigeons.

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Metal S

@MetalSombreros Oct 11, 2026

Largely forgotten movie, really good flick Vaughn as Lester the Molester is hilarious and great

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S. O

@Col._Angus Aug 13, 2026

Fun to watch young versions of Vince Vaughn and Joaquin Phoenix. Movie isn't terrible either, although it does feel like Student Bodies at times

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Ari V

@RT59419633 May 14, 2025

Ultimately shies away from saying anything clearly, but aomething about it stuck with me over the years. Especially Vaughn's work.

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Laurence d

@RT21828700 Jul 25, 2021

dont know how i missed this cracking film. Dont let silly title put you off this noire gem

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Jun 4, 2021

Entertaining and we'll done. Was destined for cult classic commedy from the word go.

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Courtney K

@c0urtn3y Feb 27, 2021

pleasantly surprised! i can't tell if Vince Vaughn made a good serial killer or not, haha -- but i really enjoyed it. the twists & turns happen basically right out of the gate, but the story is good & it has a satisfying ending. would recommend this one, for sure.

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David Dobkin

Director

Vince Vaughn

Lester Long

Janeane Garofalo

Agent Shelby

Joaquin Phoenix

Clay Bidwell

Georgina Cates

Amanda

Phil Morris

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Synopsis

In a small Montana town, Clay Bidwell (Joaquin Phoenix) finds himself increasingly surrounded by dead bodies, making him the chief suspect of an FBI murder investigation. First, his best friend kills himself during a hunting trip after discovering Clay is having an affair with his wife, Amanda (Georgina Cates). A remorseful Clay starts dating waitress Gloria (Nikki Arlyn), who is killed by the vengeful Amanda. Meanwhile, Clay becomes friends with serial killer Lester Long (Vince Vaughn).

Director: David Dobkin
Producer: Ridley Scott, Chris Zarpas
Screenwriter: Matthew L. Healy
Distributor: Gramercy Pictures
Production Co: PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 15, 1998, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 10, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.8M
Runtime: 1h 44m
Sound Mix: Surround, DTS, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, Flat (1.85:1)

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