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Trailer

The Ref

1994Movie1 h 37 minR

67

GoodGoodWatch score

Rotten Tomatoes

A fast-paced comedy movie about everyday modern life and family.

Good for date night · family movie night · friends night

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Story

They might be his hostages but what they're doing to this guy is criminal.

A cat burglar is forced to take a bickering, dysfunctional family hostage on Christmas Eve.

Feels like

Christmas Comedy
Dysfunctional Family
Hostage Situation
Cat Burglar
Darkly Humorous
Suburban Chaos
Holiday Mayhem
Cynical Humor

Crew

Directed by: Ted Demme
Written by: Richard LaGravenese, Marie Weiss
Produced by: Richard LaGravenese, Ron Bozman, Jeffrey Weiss
Music by: Dave Stewart

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

March 9, 1994 · 1 h 37 min · R

Released: March 9, 1994
Runtime: 1 h 37 min
Age rating: R
Content: Strong Language
Genres: Comedy, Crime, Drama
Original language: English
Made in: United States
Budget: $11 million
Box office: $11 million
Available in: 8 countries

Tropes

Pity the Kidnapper, Everyone Has Standards, Ignored Enemy +9

Pity the Kidnapper
Everyone Has Standards
Ignored Enemy
Affably Evil
Shut Up, Hannibal!
Brutal Honesty
Token Good Cop
Women Are Wiser
Calling The Old Woman Out
Nostalgia Filter
Mama Bear
Momma's Boy

12 of 64 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

5 questions, like "Where can I stream The Ref?"

Questions about The Ref

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Ref?

In the United States, The Ref streams on Prime, and it is free with ads on Hoopla. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 2 other countries.

Is The Ref worth watching?

67

GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 67 (IMDb 6.9, Rotten Tomatoes 73%, and Metacritic 59).

Is The Ref okay for kids?

RStrong language

Yes: it's rated R in the United States for strong language, and the viewing guide lists it for family nights.

Will The Ref make me laugh?

Funny

Yes: the humor is mostly situational comedy (8 of 10) and sharp wit (7 of 10).

What tropes does The Ref use?

Pity the KidnapperEveryone Has StandardsIgnored EnemyAffably EvilShut Up, Hannibal!Brutal HonestyToken Good CopWomen Are WiserCalling The Old Woman OutNostalgia FilterMama BearMomma's Boyand 52 more

TV Tropes lists 64 tropes for it, including Pity the Kidnapper, Everyone Has Standards, and Ignored Enemy.