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Poolman

Play trailer 2:28 Poster for Poolman R 2024 1h 40m Comedy Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
24% Tomatometer 59 Reviews 20% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Verified Ratings
In Chris Pine's feature directorial debut, Poolman tells the story of Darren Barrenman (Pine), a native Angeleno who spends his days looking after the pool of the Tahitian Tiki apartment block and fighting to make his hometown a better place to live. When he is tasked by a femme fatale to uncover the truth behind a shady business deal, Darren enlists the help of friends to take on a corrupt politician and a greedy land developer. His investigation reveals a hidden truth about his beloved city and himself. The film also stars Annette Bening, Danny DeVito, Jennifer Jason Leigh, DeWanda Wise, Stephen Tobolowsky, John Ortiz and Ray Wise.
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Poolman

Poolman

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Critics Consensus

First-time director Chris Pine has clearly watched and loved numerous classic L.A.-based neo-noir comedies; unfortunately, Poolman suggests he'd have been better off not trying to add his own entry to the genre.

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Critics Reviews

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Steve Rose Guardian Jun 26, 2024
1/5
Chris Pine is usually a likable screen presence but he’s let down here by a flimsy script and over-indulgent direction -- which could have something to do with the co-screenwriter (Chris Pine) and the first-time director (er, Chris Pine). Go to Full Review Emily Zemler Observer May 15, 2024
1/4
I’m sure Pine meant well. He probably had a good idea and couldn’t execute it. An incredibly stoned person wouldn’t be able to decipher Poolman—and neither can a general audience. Go to Full Review Claudia Puig FilmWeek (LAist) May 15, 2024
It's fun! Yes, I was almost pushed to the edge a few times, but it's fun if you don't expect too much. Go to Full Review Stephen Silver The SS Ben Hecht Dec 12, 2024
Very much in the Long Goodbye/Big Lebowski/Inherent Vice tradition of stoned L.A. mystery-solving. Go to Full Review Katie Hogan FILMHOUNDS Magazine Nov 13, 2024
Poolman hits the story beats found in any crime mystery with a few added random surprises. Go to Full Review John Serba Decider Nov 12, 2024
Pine tries Atlmanesque overlapping dialogue, surreal-dream indulgences, love-letter shots of L.A., bleached noir strokes... and madcap Coen Bros. homages that are such comedic failures you’ll want to rename the movie Burn After Watching. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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ALR May 19, 2024 God awful movie, I had to walk out after 45 minutes See more Peggy May 12, 2024 I didnt k ow what it really was going in but love the cast. Its different but I like the craziness and lightness to it. A little confused on the way out but left with a smile. See more eileen r May 11, 2024 Terrible...no cohesion between characters and plot. Hard to follow plot. See more vxf111 May 10, 2024 I'm lowkey upset that I put myself through this. See more Robert B @yabojason Aug 16, 2026 I really wanted to like this because I love Chris Pine and this was a cast full of exceptionally great talent. Pine just bit off more than he was ready to chew here. Screenplay (that actually had some cleverness buried in there somewhere) missed the target and the direction couldn’t save it and may have made it worse. It happens. I just wish it hadn’t happened to Pine or this group, and I really wish I hadn’t seen it. See more Ralph L @RT22242170 Jul 18, 2026 Hilarious. Great cast. Danny Devito and Annette Bening are perfect. Amazing screenplay. And Chris Pine does an amazing job as the lead and he directed. Enjoyed every minute. Thumbs way up! See more Read all reviews
Poolman

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Cast & Crew

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Chris Pine

Director

Chris Pine

Darren Barrenman

Danny DeVito

Jack

Annette Bening

Diane

Ray Wise

Van Patterson

Juliet Mills

Mrs Van Patterson

Movie Clips

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Poolman

Poolman: Exclusive Movie Clip - Packing the Car Poolman: Exclusive Movie Clip - Packing the Car 1:49 Now Playing View more videos

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Poolman

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Poolman

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Movie Info

Synopsis In Chris Pine's feature directorial debut, Poolman tells the story of Darren Barrenman (Pine), a native Angeleno who spends his days looking after the pool of the Tahitian Tiki apartment block and fighting to make his hometown a better place to live. When he is tasked by a femme fatale to uncover the truth behind a shady business deal, Darren enlists the help of friends to take on a corrupt politician and a greedy land developer. His investigation reveals a hidden truth about his beloved city and himself. The film also stars Annette Bening, Danny DeVito, Jennifer Jason Leigh, DeWanda Wise, Stephen Tobolowsky, John Ortiz and Ray Wise.
Director
Chris Pine
Producer
Ian Gotler, Patty Jenkins, Chris Pine, Stacey Sher
Screenwriter
Ian Gotler, Chris Pine
Distributor
Vertical
Production Co
Shiny Penny, Catchlight Studios, Brickell & Broadbridge International (BBI), Barry Linen Motion Pictures, Wicious Pictures
Rating
R (Some Language|Brief Sexuality)
Genre
Comedy, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 10, 2024, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
May 31, 2024
Runtime
1h 40m
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