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Once a Thief

1991·Movie
1h 48min·R

Where to watch

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

What's your score?

Your score

Once a Thief fingerprint

High energy, striking style.

Energy

Thrilling and fast-paced

Fast from start to finish.

  • Adrenaline8
  • Fast Pace8
  • Spectacle8

Heart

Hopeful and nostalgic

Much of it is about family.

  • Hopefulness7
  • Nostalgia7
  • Family Dynamics7

Humor

Some slapstick and sharp wit

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Physical Comedy7
  • Wit & Wordplay5
  • Situational Comedy4

World

Crime and family

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Solid, not remarkable

  • Direction7
  • Acting7
  • Narrative Structure7

Style

Standout cinematography

  • Cinematography8
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightParty VibePartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensBackground WatchComfort WatchDrop-in FriendlyPure Escapism

Skip it if

You want something quiet and calm

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

About

They only stop to reload.

Three orphans grow up to become art thieves under the tutelage of a crime boss. Romance complicates matters when the trio are double-crossed.
Stylish ActionRomantic Crime CaperHong Kong CinemaCharismatic PerformancesArt TheftNostalgic ToneVisual SpectacleFast-PacedBrotherhood & Betrayal

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Once a Thief

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Once a Thief legally?

You can watch it free with ads on Kanopy, YouTube Free, and Plex. You can also rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Once a Thief worth watching?

59
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 60/100 (IMDb 6.7 and Rotten Tomatoes 56%). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Once a Thief rated?

RViolence

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

How long is Once a Thief?

1 h 48 min

Once a Thief runs 1 h 48 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on Once a Thief?

Critics56
Audiences60

Yes. Critics average 56 and audiences 60 out of 100, so both groups see Once a Thief much the same way.

What language is Once a Thief in?

cnEnglishFrenchJapanese

It was made in cn, with some English, French, Japanese. Produced in Hong Kong SAR China.

In how many countries can I watch Once a Thief?

129ADAGALAOARATAUAZBABBBEBFBGBM+115

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Once a Thief in 129 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Once a Thief use?

Abusive ParentsBabies Ever AfterBadass BikerOh, Crap!Sticky BombDeath DealerBooby TrapBad BossUnderside RideEvery Car Is a PintoObfuscating DisabilityShot in the Assand 18 more

TV Tropes lists 30 storytelling tropes for Once a Thief, including Abusive Parents, Babies Ever After, Badass Biker.