Taking Lives

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Taking Lives

R

2004

1h 43m

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

21%

Tomatometer

157 Reviews

54%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

An insidious serial killer is impersonating his victims' identities as he travels across Canada. A recent spate of murders in Montreal has brought FBI Agent Illeana Scott north to investigate. Scott's unusual methods quickly earn the suspicion of the local police but bring her close to art dealer James Costa, who says he was an eyewitness to the latest murder. Sparks develop between the two as Costa's role becomes crucial in their effort to apprehend the killer.

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Critics Consensus

A stylish, but predictable thriller where the only thrills are offered by the sensuous Angelina Jolie.

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Antonia Quirke

London Evening Standard

12/15/2017

Taking Lives is a foolish thriller full of actors who deserve better.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

12/28/2010

2/5

A couple of genuine thrills but not for kids.

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Nick Schager

Lessons of Darkness

05/04/2005

D+

Taking Lives won't kill you, but it will steal precious hours you'll never have back.

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Kaleem Aftab

The List

04/18/2019

2/5

Taking Lives nicks characters from other flicks without any shame.

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Kevin Carr

Fat Guys at the Movies

01/17/2016

2/5

From the opening credits, it was nearly impossible to shake the feeling that Taking Lives was desperately trying to be the next Seven.

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Peter Canavese

Groucho Reviews

05/20/2009

2/4

Willfully stupid and obvious for most of its running time, this serial-killer thriller lulls the audience into one gasp-worthy, rug-pulling moment that, while stupid, isn't exactly obvious. [Blu-ray]

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Jelisije J

@jjosifovic Oct 2

An enjoyable who done movie where a killer is taking the lives of the victims he kills and its up to Angelina Jolie to stop him.

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Pedro Henrique C

@Pedro2005 Sep 2

Taking Lives (2004) could have been a great crime thriller, but its execution was very disappointing and weak. I have to say I spotted the criminal early on.

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Erdem M

@RT91119921 Aug 17

Fair warning, spoilers ahead. While the killer was predictable, the bad guy was not. The ending is worth watching the whole movie for. While you think you have it all figured out throughout the entire movie, the director manages to whack you with a curve ball that you simply could not see coming with the last scene. Probably the most disturbing film I've seen in years starring Angelina Jolie.

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Rob M

@RT40062848 05/12/2025

This Movie is just as bad as it's worst critics say it is. Cheap and nasty on a decent budget with a star studded cast and a plot that sickens by degrees as it continues. Around about the car chase, even the most cup half full viewer will reach for the remote unless they've decided to ride it out just to see how bad it gets. I felt dirty and used but I deserved it for hanging in there till the bitter end!

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Oaklee D

@ODie63 10/09/2024

A predictable and far fetched crime film that tries really hard to be the next SE7EN.

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John A

@ExcessMale 01/12/2024

(Uncut Version) Far better than the reviews across the internet indicate. Striking visuals and auteur style direction.

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D.J. Caruso

Director

Angelina Jolie

Illeana

Ethan Hawke

Costa

Kiefer Sutherland

Hart

Olivier Martinez

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Tchéky Karyo

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Synopsis

An insidious serial killer is impersonating his victims' identities as he travels across Canada. A recent spate of murders in Montreal has brought FBI Agent Illeana Scott north to investigate. Scott's unusual methods quickly earn the suspicion of the local police but bring her close to art dealer James Costa, who says he was an eyewitness to the latest murder. Sparks develop between the two as Costa's role becomes crucial in their effort to apprehend the killer.

Director: D.J. Caruso
Producer: Bruce Berman, Mark Canton
Screenwriter: Jon Bokenkamp
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Warner Brothers, Village Roadshow Prod., Taking Lives Films
Rating: R (Language|Disturbing Images|Some Sexuality|Strong Violence)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 16, 2004, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 23, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $32.7M
Runtime: 1h 43m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)