The Killing
1956, Crime/Drama, 1h 23m
45 Reviews 10,000+ RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
An expertly crafted noir with more on its mind than stylishly staged violence, The Killing establishes Stanley Kubrick as a filmmaker of uncommon vision and control. Read critic reviews
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Movie Info
Career criminal Johnny Clay (Sterling Hayden) recruits a sharpshooter (Timothy Carey), a crooked police officer (Ted de Corsia), a bartender (Joe Sawyer) and a betting teller named George (Elisha Cook Jr.), among others, for one last job before he goes straight and marries his fiancee, Fay (Coleen Gray). But when George tells his restless wife, Sherry (Marie Windsor), about the scheme to steal millions from the racetrack where he works, she hatches a plot of her own.
Cast & Crew
Sterling Hayden
Johnny Clay
Johnny Clay
Coleen Gray
Fay
Fay
Vince Edwards
Val Cannon
Val Cannon
Jay C. Flippen
Marvin Unger
Marvin Unger
Marie Windsor
Sherry Peatty
Sherry Peatty
Joe Sawyer
Mike O'Reilly
Mike O'Reilly
Critic Reviews for The Killing
Audience Reviews for The Killing
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Dec 24, 2020I love the early works of Stanley Kubrick as much as his literary-like masterpieces (2001, Clockwork Orange, Barry Lyndon). The Killing is a noir classic.Aldo G Super Reviewer
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Feb 11, 2016Being a relatively straightforward crime thriller makes it somewhat unique in the Kubrick filmography, and it's still one of the best movies in the genre.Alec B Super Reviewer
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Nov 08, 2014Good, establishes tension by taking its time with the elaborate set-up. The theme of irony runs strong. Well-shot. It maybe would have even been better had the studio not forced the narration onto the film, against Kubrick's request -- in that way, it brings to mind the same dilemma of 'Blade Runner' and the difference between having its narration vs. without. Overall, a good film. I'd put it 3.5-4, but I'll bump it to 4 here.Kyle M Super Reviewer
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Jun 24, 2014A decent film noir and an interesting early work by Kubrick. One that is forgotten for good reason - it is passable but not terribly memorable. One can see Kubrick just pumping this out.John B Super Reviewer
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