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Righteous Kill
2008 101 min United States of America, United Kingdom R 18+
★5.4
Crime, Thriller, Mystery
Director: Jon Avnet
Trailers
Description
Two veteran New York City detectives work to identify the possible connection between a recent murder and a case they believe they solved years ago; is there a serial killer on the loose, and did they perhaps put the wrong person behind bars?
Budget:
$60M
US Gross:
$40.08M
Worldwide:
$79.5M
Starring
Robert De Niro
Actor
Al Pacino
Actor
Carla Gugino
Actor
Awards
1 win & 2 nominations total
Key opinion
The film functions primarily as a star vehicle for Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, drawing polarized reactions based on whether viewers prioritize the legends' presence or the quality of the surrounding production. While some praise the shocking climax and the exploration of moral vigilantism, many critics dismiss the script as derivative and the direction as uninspired, resulting in a project that feels like a squandered opportunity.
| Ending | The film features a striking and unpredictable climax that successfully surprises a significant portion of the audience. | |
| Screenplay | The narrative relies on a thin, unoriginal script that fails to fully explore its potential as a complex moral thriller. | |
| Direction | The directing is frequently described as conventional and lacking the auteurist vision required to elevate the material beyond a standard procedural. | |
| Acting | Opinions on the lead performances are sharply split: some viewers find the pairing of Pacino and De Niro iconic and impressive, while others believe the two stars deliver lackluster work, bordering on self-parody. |