True Story

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2:32

True Story

R

2015

1h 44m

Crime

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

45%

Tomatometer

167 Reviews

38%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

New York Times journalist Michael Finkel loses his job when it's revealed that he was not entirely truthful in a cover story he wrote on contemporary slave trading in Africa. His world collapses even further when he learns he's a victim of identity theft; a man named Christian Longo assumed Finkel's name and stood accused of murdering his own family. Seeing a way to rebuild his shattered reputation, Finkel meets with Longo to hear his story.

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Critics Consensus

James Franco and Jonah Hill make a watchable pair, but True Story loses their performances -- and the viewer's interest -- in a muddled movie that bungles its fact-based tale.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

09/01/2017

D

... True Story just never feels like it gets anywhere.

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David Sims

The Atlantic

10/14/2015

Franco and Hill's early scenes together maintains intrigue for a while, but True Story never quite indicates that it has something compelling going on beneath the surface.

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Mark Kermode

Observer (UK)

07/19/2015

2/5

The result is disappointingly televisual, the verdict wholly predictable.

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David Bax

Battleship Pretension

01/20/2021

Unfortunately, all the fine work being done by Hill and Franco is, in effect, bulldozed by Goold and David Kajganich's screenplay...

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

12/04/2020

8/10

Mind games, poetic symbolism, moving observations, and humorous notes compose an utterly mesmerizing script.

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Chris McCoy

Memphis Flyer

01/09/2020

It's a worthy addition to the true crime genre -- even if it leaves viewers questioning the meaning of "true."

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kevenquinlan T

@RT75276071 Jul 26

Ok, the acting is really good, as you'd expect, but like the other reviewers agree- it just doesn't really grab you. Why the dude did it seems an afterthought and that they use this kind of machiavellian vibe doesn't ring true to the character. It trys to be a few things but manages not to be any of them and it's not a very great watch. This is going to be one of the few 3 1/2 star movies I don't keep. I'm glad I seen it but it's not going to be something I'm going to want to watch again nor is anything special enough about it to keep for memorabilias sake. (Jonah is really fun to watch though, an actors, actor.)

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Rich S

@RPS1963 Apr 27

Jonah Hill is a great choice to play this part. He is nothing if not a rube for Franco to play with -- both on screen and off it.

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Frans B

@FransB 03/30/2025

Jonah & Franco very convincing in character. I think this movie deserves a thumbs up. Great story, well choreographed and filmed. Very good cinematography. Twists and turns that will keep you entertained and excited. Lots of detail in the works and meticulous editing. Covers such a wide range of emotions. Touching to say the least. One man can make a difference, contrary to popular believe. Remember, it is a movie dramatized and all that, so just keep an open mind, you will probably enjoy it

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Leopold S

@RT71373031 11/08/2024

A real smug, self important bore with point, no focus, no real reason ton have been made. The director/writer reeks of being from the "theahtah" and clearly though he was creating a masterpieces.... Zzzzzz

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Jacques B

@RT58124865 05/10/2024

Underrated and a hidden gem for some. Critics will say this movie didn’t get anywhere, but it does a lot of things very well. As a fan of the cast (Jonah and Franco) this was a refreshing and intriguing film for sure, it’s not perfect but a good watch nonetheless.

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donnie m

@RT64375194 05/05/2024

i can't get past how James Franco talks-his tounge hits the roof of his mouth and he's WAY too dramatic in a bad way

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Rupert Goold

Director

Jonah Hill

Michael Finkel

James Franco

Christian Longo

Felicity Jones

Jill Barker

Robert John Burke

Greg Ganley

Gretchen Mol

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True Story: Trailer 1

2:32

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Synopsis

New York Times journalist Michael Finkel loses his job when it's revealed that he was not entirely truthful in a cover story he wrote on contemporary slave trading in Africa. His world collapses even further when he learns he's a victim of identity theft; a man named Christian Longo assumed Finkel's name and stood accused of murdering his own family. Seeing a way to rebuild his shattered reputation, Finkel meets with Longo to hear his story.

Director: Rupert Goold
Producer: Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Anthony Katagas
Screenwriter: Rupert Goold, David Kajganich
Distributor: Fox Searchlight
Production Co: New Regency Pictures, Plan B Entertainment
Rating: R (Some Disturbing Material|Language)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 17, 2015, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 15, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $4.7M
Runtime: 1h 44m

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