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Hoodlum

1997·Movie
2h 10min·R
56
DecentGoodWatch score
IMDb6.3Metacritic507.3Rotten Tomatoes43%65%
IMDb6.3Metacritic507.3Rotten Tomatoes43%65%

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Hoodlum fingerprint

High energy, strong craft, a touch of humor.

Energy

Fast-paced and violent

Fast from start to finish.

  • Fast Pace8
  • Violence8
  • Adrenaline7

Heart

Emotionally reserved

  • Catharsis6
  • Pathos5
  • Melancholy5

Humor

Some dark humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Dark Humor5
  • Wit & Wordplay3
  • Physical Comedy3

World

History, crime, and class and money

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout performances and characters

  • Acting8
  • Character Depth8
  • Intrigue8

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightSolo WatchThought-Provoking

Skip it if

Graphic violence bothers you

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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

Power is measured in enemies.

In 1934, the second most lucrative business in New York City was running 'the numbers'. When Madam Queen—the powerful woman who runs the scam in Harlem—is arrested, Ellsworth 'Bumpy' Johnson takes over the business and must resist an invasion from a merciless mobster.
1930s HarlemGangster Crime DramaPolitical IntrigueClass WarfareHistorical SettingComplex CharactersViolent ConflictPower StruggleGritty Realism

Crew

Directed by:
Bill Duke, Otis Sallid, Anthony Mason
Written by:
Chris Brancato
Produced by:
Laurence Fishburne, Bill Duke, Chris Brancato
Composed by:
Elmer Bernstein

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Hoodlum

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Hoodlum legally?

PrimeMGM+VIX Amazon Prime Video Free with AdsTubi TVAmazon MX Player

Hoodlum is included with a subscription to Amazon Prime Video, MGM+, and Amazon Prime Video with Ads in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on VIX , YouTube Free, and Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads. 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 Hoodlum worth watching?

56
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 56/100 (IMDb 6.3, Rotten Tomatoes 43%, and Metacritic 50). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Hoodlum rated?

RViolenceStrong language

It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: violence and strong language.

How long is Hoodlum?

2 h 10 min

Hoodlum runs 2 h 10 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on Hoodlum?

Critics47
Audiences67

Not quite. Audiences rate Hoodlum higher (67) than critics (47). It's more of a crowd-pleaser than a critics' pick.

Was Hoodlum a box office hit?

Budget$30 million
Box office$23 million

No. It cost about $30 million to make and earned $23 million worldwide, 78% of its budget.

What language is Hoodlum in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch Hoodlum?

133ADAEAGALAOARATAUAZBABBBEBFBG+119

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Hoodlum in 133 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Hoodlum use?

Bittersweet EndingRewarded as a Traitor DeservesSpiritual SuccessorSpinning PaperNay-TheistKosher NostraPunctuated! For! Emphasis!Anti-HeroBerserk ButtonSlasher SmileFoilNobody Poopsand 18 more

TV Tropes lists 30 storytelling tropes for Hoodlum, including Bittersweet Ending, Rewarded as a Traitor Deserves, Spiritual Successor.