Fargo

1996

Fargo

Critics Consensus

Violent, quirky, and darkly funny, Fargo delivers an original crime story and a wonderful performance by McDormand.

93%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 92

93%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 233,853

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Movie Info

A pregnant police chief is investigating a series of homicides across the frozen tundra. Against a sprawling Minnesota landscape, a car salesman hires two criminals to kidnap his wife. But when the scheme goes sour, and wood chippers get involved, the haphazard kidnapping plot turns deadly serious.

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Cast

Frances McDormand
as Marge Gunderson
Steve Buscemi
as Carl Showalter
William H. Macy
as Jerry Lundegaard
Peter Stormare
as Gaear Grimsrud
Harve Presnell
as Wade Gustafson
Kristin Rudrud
as Jean Lundegaard
John Carroll Lynch
as Norm Gunderson
Steve Park
as Mike Yanagita
Tony Denman
as Scotty Lundegaard
Stephen Park
as Mike Yanagita
Steve Reevis
as Shep Proudfoot
Warren Keith
as Reilly Diefenbach
Larry Brandenburg
as Stan Grossman
Bruce Campbell
as Soap Opera Star on TV
Bruce Bohne
as Lou
Cliff Rakerd
as Officer Olson
Jose Feliciano
as Himself
Bain Boehlke
as Mr. Mohra
Rose Stockton
as Valerie
Gary Houston
as Irate Customer
Sally Wingert
as Irate Customer's Wife
Kurt Schweickhardt
as Car Salesman
Larissa Kokernot
as Hooker No. 1
Melissa Peterman
as Hooker No. 2
Steve Edelman
as Morning Show Host
Sharon Anderson
as Morning Show Hostess
James Gaulke
as State Trooper
Michelle Suzanne Le Doux
as Victim in Car
Petra Boden
as Cashier
Wayne A. Evenson
as Customer
Jessica Shepherd
as Hotel Clerk
Peter Schmitz
as Airport Lot Attendant
Steve Shaefer
as Mechanic
Michelle Hutchinson
as Escort
David S. Lomax
as Man in Hallway
Don William Skahill
as Night Parking Attendant
Robert Ozasky
as Bismarck Cop No. 1
John Bandemer
as Bismarck Cop No. 2
Don Wescott
as Bark Beetle Narrator
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News & Interviews for Fargo

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Critic Reviews for Fargo

All Critics (92) | Top Critics (32)

  • The Coen Brothers are among the most able practitioners in America and this film is one of their best attempts to turn a familiar genre -- the True Crime drama -- into something miles away from the ordinary.

    Mar 20, 2018 | Full Review…

    Derek Malcolm

    Guardian
    Top Critic

  • [Frances] McDormand is excellent and has a lot of fun with her tenacious and competent character, who is dedicated to duty and her sweet, supportive husband.

    Mar 19, 2018 | Full Review…

    David Hunter

    Hollywood Reporter
    Top Critic

  • Two words. Marge Gunderson.

    Mar 10, 2016 | Rating: 5/5

    Kate Muir

    Times (UK)
    Top Critic

  • The film is a work of brick-by-brick world-building in the service of characters whose ordinariness is just as carefully crafted.

    Jan 19, 2016 | Full Review…

    Chris Packham

    Village Voice
    Top Critic

  • Fargo, with its grotesque murders and cheery detectives, is a cold gem that takes us to the far north. Its seemingly pitiless light opens up the realms of darkness concealed beneath that world of white.

    Apr 21, 2014 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…

    Michael Wilmington

    Chicago Tribune
    Top Critic

  • A small, supremely satisfying film. Heck and you betcha, it is.

    Apr 21, 2014 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…

    Steven Rea

    Philadelphia Inquirer
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (92)

Audience Reviews for Fargo

  • Nov 29, 2014
    Marvelously acted and just as wonderfully quirky as would be expected from the Coens, Fargo represents the brothers in fine form as they craft a juicy crime tale amidst memorable characters and sharp dialogue.
    Isaac H Super Reviewer
  • Oct 19, 2014
    Fargo, in its darkness and eccentricity, proves to be too interesting to ignore and too good to not applaud.
    Maymay A Super Reviewer
  • Jul 09, 2014
    It's as pessimistic as it's optimistic, as serious as it's funny, and as ugly as it's beautiful.
    Eddie C Super Reviewer
  • Jul 02, 2014
    God Bless Frances McDromand. Fargo is a hilarious black comedy about a kidnapping plot gone wrong. It's funny, it's violent and it's exciting. Fargo features a cast of talented actors with a cleverly written script.
    Sylvester K Super Reviewer
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