The Highwaymen

Critics Consensus

The Highwaymen depicts law enforcement's side of the Bonnie and Clyde manhunt -- a story that's unfortunately not quite as entertaining despite its marquee leads.

56%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 131

75%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 996
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Movie Info

The outlaws made headlines. The lawmen made history. From director John Lee Hancock (The Blind Side), THE HIGHWAYMEN follows the untold true story of the legendary detectives who brought down Bonnie and Clyde. When the full force of the FBI and the latest forensic technology aren't enough to capture the nation's most notorious criminals, two former Texas Rangers (Kevin Costner and Woody Harrelson) must rely on their gut instincts and old school skills to get the job done.
  • Rating:
    R (for some strong violence and bloody images)
  • Genre:
    Drama, Mystery & Suspense
  • Directed By:
    John Lee Hancock
  • Written By:
    John Fusco
  • In Theaters:
     limited
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Netflix

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Cast

Kevin Costner
as Frank Hamer
Woody Harrelson
as Maney Gault
Kathy Bates
as Governor Ma Ferguson
Kim Dickens
as Gladys Hamer
John Carroll Lynch
as Lee Simmons
Thomas Mann
as Ted Hinton
Emily Brobst
as Bonnie Parker
W. Earl Brown
as Ivy Methvin
Edward Bossert
as Clyde Barrow
David Furr
as John Quinn
Jane McNeill
as Emma Parker
Jesse C. Boyd
as Ray Hamilton
Kaley Wheless
as Jean Gault
Sheenan Cole
as Bonnie Parker Look-Alike
Jeff Pope
as Constable Cal Campbell
Josh Caras
as Wade McNabb
Luke Loveless
as Bottle Boy
Samantha Hunter Ogan
as Bonnie Parker Look-Alike
Dean Denton
as Deputy Bob Alcorn
Billy Slaughter
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Critic Reviews for The Highwaymen

All Critics (131) | Top Critics (31)

  • Kevin Costner and Woody Harrelson on a mission to hunt down Bonnie and Clyde? It's a hard idea to hate, and this Netflix movie is easy enough to enjoy.

    Apr 12, 2019 | Full Review…

    Brad Newsome

    Sydney Morning Herald
    Top Critic

  • It's hardly an insult to acknowledge that The Highwaymen is no classic on the level of Bonnie and Clyde. But it is, in its way, the perfect corrective to Penn's film.

    Apr 2, 2019 | Full Review…

    Christopher Orr

    The Atlantic
    Top Critic

  • No film is ever going unseat Bonnie and Clyde as the "definitive" telling of the crime duo's exploits but The Highwaymen's different outlook makes it a worthy, if lesser, companion piece.

    Mar 31, 2019 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    James Berardinelli

    ReelViews
    Top Critic

  • The narrative, occasionally, perhaps in a bid for authenticity, moves fitfully. But the ending is tense and Costner and co-star Woody Harrelson (as his former partner) enjoy a robust onscreen chemistry.

    Mar 29, 2019 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    Kevin Maher

    Times (UK)
    Top Critic

  • As a film, The Highwaymen has some potholes. But as an eye-catching, promotable and heavily watched attraction, it seems sure to go the extra mile.

    Mar 29, 2019 | Rating: B- | Full Review…

    Ed Bark

    Uncle Barky
    Top Critic

  • "The Highwaymen" is built to play off the chemistry of Costner and Harrelson, but the pair lacks flair, and settle too easily into cranky buddy cop clichés.

    Mar 29, 2019 | Rating: C+ | Full Review…

    Adam Graham

    Detroit News
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (131)

Audience Reviews for The Highwaymen

  • May 07, 2019
    The film purposely stays close to the two men hunting Bonnie and Clyde, while the infamous gangsters remain nearly faceless phantoms up until the finale. While we barely hear or see about their crimes, the movie also fails to explain the common man's fascination with the couple, especially when the highwaymen are facing resentment during their investigations. That makes for an oddly shallow and one sided result. Unfortunately it's also pretty slow-paced. The chemistry between Costner and Harrelson is good, but the film doesn't make enough use of it. There have been tremendously exciting films about historic events you already knew how they ended. Sadly, this is not one of them.
    Jens S Super Reviewer
  • Apr 02, 2019
    Opportunity missed. Costner and Harrelson are decent as the cops dogging Bonnie & Clyde (and their buddy cop movie vibe carries the film) but the script steers clear of depth, goes for merely passing, merely getting by, and unfortunately achieves just that. To amp the desultory proceedings, the kids are portrayed as psychos - the easy way out. Now if only the pursuing lawmen were portrayed as psychos, then this would've had some bite. Que sera sera.
    Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
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