Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead

Before the Devil Knows You're Dead

2007Movie117 minEnglish

When two brothers organize the robbery of their parents' jewelry store, the job goes horribly wrong, triggering a series of events that send them and their family hurtling towards a shattering climax.

Read Reviews

Insights

IMDb6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes90%
Metacritic80/100
Google Users83%
Director: Sidney LumetGenres: Crime, Drama, Thriller

Plot Summary

Two brothers, Andy and Hank Hanson, are struggling financially and decide to rob their parents' jewelry store. What starts as a seemingly simple plan quickly spirals into a chaotic and violent nightmare. The robbery goes terribly wrong, leading to tragic consequences that entangle their family, including their parents and Andy's wife, in a web of deceit, betrayal, and escalating desperation. The film follows the unraveling of the brothers' lives as they attempt to cover up their crime and deal with the devastating fallout.

Critical Reception

Before the Devil Knows You're Dead was widely acclaimed by critics, lauded as a triumphant return for veteran director Sidney Lumet. Reviewers praised the film's taut direction, sharp screenplay, and powerful performances from its ensemble cast, particularly Philip Seymour Hoffman and Ethan Hawke. The dark and unflinching portrayal of family dysfunction and criminal consequences resonated strongly, securing its place as one of the best films of 2007.

What Reviewers Say

  • A masterfully directed and impeccably acted crime drama that plunges into the dark heart of familial desperation.
  • The film's non-linear structure and escalating tension keep audiences on edge, leading to a shocking and tragic conclusion.
  • Features outstanding performances that delve into complex characters pushed to their absolute limits.

Google audience: Google users largely praised the film for its gripping storyline, excellent acting, and Lumet's masterful direction. Many found the movie to be a tense and compelling thriller with a satisfyingly dark and complex narrative, although some noted its bleakness.

Awards & Accolades

Philip Seymour Hoffman received a nomination for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role. The film was also recognized on numerous critics' year-end top ten lists.

Fun Fact

Sidney Lumet, who was 83 years old when he directed the film, considered it one of his most satisfying directorial efforts, noting his admiration for the script and the commitment of his cast.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

The outwardly successful "Andy" (Philip Seymour Hoffman) needs to raise some cash before his business gets an IRS audit. His weaker brother "Hank" (Ethan Hawke) needs cash to settle some childcare costs with his divorced wife. The two conco...
John Chard

John Chard

The world is an evil place Charlie. Some of us make money off that and others get destroyed. Before the Devil Knows You're Dead is directed by Sidney Lumet and written by Kelly Masterson. It stars Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ethan Hawke, M...