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The Killing

1956·Movie
1h 25min·NR
IMDb7.9Metacritic917.5Rotten Tomatoes96%92%

Where to watch

PrimeHooplaYouTube TVMUBIFawesomeTubi TV

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

The Killing fingerprint

High energy, strong craft, light on feelings.

Energy

Tense and fast-paced

Fast from start to finish.

  • Tension8
  • Fast Pace8
  • Adrenaline7

Heart

Emotionally reserved

  • Melancholy5
  • Nostalgia5
  • Pathos4

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay4
  • Dark Humor4
  • Satire & Parody3

World

History, crime, and mystery

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Rewatchability7
  • Dialogue Centrality6

Craft

Standout direction, performances, and storytelling

  • Intrigue9
  • Direction8
  • Acting8

Style

Standout editing and cinematography

  • Editing9
  • Cinematography8
  • Music Composition6

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightSolo WatchTeensThought-Provoking

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About

In all its fury and violence...

Career criminal Johnny Clay recruits a sharpshooter, a crooked police officer, a bartender and a betting teller named George, among others, for one last job before he goes straight and gets married. But when George tells his restless wife about the scheme to steal millions from the racetrack where he works, she hatches a plot of her own.
HeistFilm NoirCrime DramaComplex PlotCaperBetrayalGreed1950sStylishCynical

Crew

Directed by:
Stanley Kubrick, Howard Joslin, Milton Carter
Written by:
Stanley Kubrick, Jim Thompson, Lionel White
Produced by:
Alexander Singer, James B. Harris, Clarence Eurist
Composed by:
Gerald Fried, Gerald Fried, Gilbert D. Marchant

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

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Questions about The Killing

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Killing legally?

PrimeHooplaYouTube TVMUBIFawesomeTubi TV

The Killing is included with a subscription to Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, MUBI, and Amazon Prime Video with Ads in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on Hoopla, YouTube Free, and Fawesome. 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 Killing worth watching?

87
ExcellentGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 87/100 (IMDb 7.9, Rotten Tomatoes 96%, and Metacritic 91). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Killing rated?

NRViolenceStrong language

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

How long is The Killing?

1 h 25 min

The Killing runs 1 h 25 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Killing?

Critics94
Audiences82

Not quite. Critics rate The Killing higher (94) than audiences (82). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

What language is The Killing in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch The Killing?

122ADAEALAOARATAUAZBABEBFBGBHBM+108

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Killing in 122 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Killing use?

The StoicNot-So-Harmless VillainMenacing MaskFilm NoirMalevolent Masked MenOh, Crap!Genius BruiserWrestler in All of UsAsshole VictimAffably EvilIronic EchoDirty Copand 32 more

TV Tropes lists 44 storytelling tropes for The Killing, including The Stoic, Not-So-Harmless Villain, Menacing Mask.