The Killers

A gripping tale of betrayal and intrigue unfolds in a quiet town, where danger lurks beneath the surface.

Critics praised Siodmak's atmospheric noir style, the tense, shadowy staging, and the breakout performances of Burt Lancaster and Ava Gardner, while finding the screenplay convoluted.

• Reardon traces the Swede's life through witnesses, unfolding the heist and betrayal in pieces
• the Swede waits passively for the killers who arrive at the film's start
• reviews note stark lighting throwing the post-war world into shadow

• Double Indemnityshared noir fatalism, investigator unraveling a killing through a dead man's past, femme fatale
• Out of the Pastshared fatalistic crime noir with a doomed ordinary man drawn into criminal underworld
• The Asphalt Jungleshared hard-boiled crime tension and nonlinear investigation of a criminal's backstory

Director

Robert Siodmak

Release Date

1946-08-30

Runtime

103 min

Rating

7.4 / 10 (455)

What is The Killers about?

An insurance investigator unravels the past of a murdered ex-boxer, uncovering a web of heists, betrayal, and a alluring femme fatale.

What is The Killers like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Killers as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.

Is The Killers violent?

Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Killers as moderate.

What did critics think of The Killers?

Critics praised Siodmak's atmospheric noir style, the tense, shadowy staging, and the breakout performances of Burt Lancaster and Ava Gardner, while finding the screenplay convoluted.

Which films are like The Killers?

Films with a similar feel include Double Indemnity, Out of the Past, and The Asphalt Jungle.

How long is The Killers?

The Killers runs 103 minutes.

Where can I watch The Killers?

In United States, The Killers is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home.