Customer Ratings & Reviews

Before the Devil Knows You're Dead is probably the most unfortunately overlooked film of 2008. It's a crime film as only Sidney Lumet (one of the great masters of the genre) can make them: a tale of plans gone wrong in which no one gets out clean and there isn't an easy answer to any of the characters' problem anywhere in sight. It's so dark it's almost overwhelming; but with this cast, under Lumet's masterful direction, that's a great thing. The story begins with the monetary problems of Andy (Phillip Seymour Hoffman), who is a businessman who appears wealthy enough, and his brother Hank (Ethan Hawke), who leads a modest life. They cook up a plan to rob their parents' jewelry store. Since the store is insured, they're certain that no one will be harmed but the insurance company. However, Hank, who is too nervous to do the deed himself, as Andy planned, hires a friend of his, who has experience in the field of crime, to rip off the store by himself, not telling him all of the details. When everything goes horribly wrong, the family is sent into a spiral of destruction which continues through the final reel. This is not an easy film to watch, because once things start to spiral into nihilism and doom, they never let up. However, it is also one of the most mesmerizing tales of greed and desperation that I've ever seen, and it's study of family and what the actions of some family members will lead the others to do left me captivated. It's a great shame that this film was ignored during the Oscar season in 2008, largely due to its fairly limited release and lack of press, since it is a film that genuinely tackles the difficult ideas of what people will do to thsoe they love to serve themselves. This is a great acting film and a fascinating crime film. If either of these things appeal to you, I strongly recommend this film.

I really enjoyed this film until the end. I honestly think that only one film can get away with an ending like this and that film was based on a book by Ken Kesey and stars Jack Nicholson. I hope that doesn't give it away to easily. Hoffman is flawless as usual. Good film, just don't expect any revenge or sudden emotion.

This movie is great. You get different character perspectives of one major incident that happened. Philip Seymor Hoffman was great as usual and so was Ethan Hawk. This is a must see movie!!

the movie kept me interested for about an hour then it got a little dicey. acting was good but it just didnt hit the bill for me.