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The Set-Up

1949·Movie
1h 13min·NR
70
GoodGoodWatch score

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The Set-Up fingerprint

High energy, strong craft, no humor.

Energy

Tense and fast-paced

Fast from start to finish.

  • Tension8
  • Fast Pace8
  • Adrenaline6

Heart

Moving and melancholic

  • Pathos7
  • Melancholy7
  • Catharsis7

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Dark Humor3
  • Wit & Wordplay2
  • Situational Comedy1

World

Sports, history, and crime

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality6
  • Rewatchability5

Craft

Standout direction and performances

  • Direction8
  • Acting8
  • Narrative Structure7

Style

Standout editing

  • Editing8
  • Cinematography7
  • Music Composition6

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightSolo WatchTeensThought-Provoking

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You need an uplifting mood

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

I want a man … not a human punching bag!

Expecting the usual loss, a boxing manager takes bribes from a betting gangster without telling his fighter.
Noir DramaBoxing CorruptionFatalistic AtmosphereMoral CompromiseGritty RealismDark Cinematography1940s Urban SettingDownfall Narrative

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The Set-Up

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Set-Up legally?

The Set-Up is included with a subscription to TCM and HBO Max in the United States. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The Set-Up worth watching?

70
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 70/100 (IMDb 7.8, Rotten Tomatoes 85%, and Metacritic 75). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Set-Up rated?

NRViolence

It's rated NR in the United States. Content advisories: violence.

How long is The Set-Up?

1 h 13 min

The Set-Up runs 1 h 13 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Set-Up?

Critics80
Audiences84

Yes. Critics average 80 and audiences 84 out of 100, so both groups see The Set-Up much the same way.

What language is The Set-Up in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch The Set-Up?

8BECAESFRITLUROUS

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Set-Up in 8 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Set-Up use?

All Men Are PervertsBittersweet EndingChiaroscuroThe DeterminatorNo-Holds-Barred BeatdownSports StoriesVomit Discretion ShotEven Evil Has StandardsMood WhiplashExtremely Short TimespanScrew This, I'm Outta Here!Reality Has No Soundtrackand 3 more

TV Tropes lists 15 storytelling tropes for The Set-Up, including All Men Are Perverts, Bittersweet Ending, Chiaroscuro.