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Trailer

Lawless

2012Movie1 h 55 minR

CrimeDrama
66
GoodGoodWatch score
IMDb7.2Letterboxd3.4/5Metacritic587.0Rotten Tomatoes67%74%

A brutally violent, tense crime movie about history and crime, with standout performances and world-building.

Good for friends night · teens · thought-provoking

Skip it if graphic violence bothers you

Where to watch

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Not for warmth, laughs or comfort.

Movies with

Story

When the law became corrupt, outlaws became heroes.

In 1931, the Bondurant brothers of Franklin County, Virginia, run a multipurpose backwoods establishment that hides their true business — bootlegging. Middle brother Forrest is the brain of the operation; older Howard is the brawn, and younger Jack, the lookout. Though the local police have taken bribes and left the brothers alone, a violent war erupts when a sadistic lawman from Chicago arrives and tries to shut down the Bondurants operation.

Feels like

  • Prohibition Era
  • Rural Gangster Drama
  • Brutal & Gritty
  • Family Loyalty
  • Historical Crime Thriller
  • Survival & Resistance
  • Character-Driven
  • American South
  • Justice vs. Law

Cast

23 of 23

Crew

Directed by
John Hillcoat
Written by
Nick Cave, Matt Bondurant
Produced by
Megan Ellison, Lucy Fisher, Douglas Wick
Music by
Nick Cave, Warren Ellis

Everyone

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

Facts

August 29, 2012 · 1 h 55 min · R

Released
August 29, 2012
Runtime
1 h 55 min
Age rating
R
Content
Violence, Strong Language, Drug Use
Genres
Crime, Drama, Western
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Budget
$26 million
Box office
$55 million
Available in
40 countries
Keywords
based on novel or book

Tropes

Smug Snake, Non-Action Guy, Ambition Is Evil +9

  • Smug Snake
  • Non-Action Guy
  • Ambition Is Evil
  • You Have Failed Me
  • Defiled Forever
  • Promotion to Parent
  • Neck Snap
  • Big Brother Instinct
  • Gorn
  • Why Don't You Just Shoot Him?
  • Creator Cameo
  • Tranquil Fury

12 of 56 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

5 questions, like "Where can I stream Lawless?"

Questions about Lawless

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Lawless?

PhiloKanopyStarzFawesomeLionsgate+

In the United States, Lawless streams on Philo, Starz, and Lionsgate+, and it is free with ads on Kanopy and Fawesome. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. It also streams in 32 other countries.

Is Lawless worth watching?

66
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 66 (IMDb 7.2, Letterboxd 3.4 out of 5, Rotten Tomatoes 67%, and Metacritic 58).

Will Lawless scare me?

Not scaryTerrifying

It's more unsettling than scary: the title analysis rates it 8 of 10 for tension, but 2 for scares.

Is Lawless plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on character depth (8 of 10) and dialogue centrality (8 of 10) more than on its plot.

What tropes does Lawless use?

Smug SnakeNon-Action GuyAmbition Is EvilYou Have Failed MeDefiled ForeverPromotion to ParentNeck SnapBig Brother InstinctGornWhy Don't You Just Shoot Him?Creator CameoTranquil Furyand 44 more

TV Tropes lists 56 tropes for it, including Smug Snake, Non-Action Guy, and Ambition Is Evil.