Layer Cake
User Score
7.8 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 58 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 54 out of 58
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 58
  3. Negative: 2 out of 58

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  1. AdamC.
    Feb 4, 2008
    10
    too good
  2. JackT.
    Feb 19, 2008
    10
    The Greatest Gangster Thriller I have Ever Seen
  3. WesM
    Jul 28, 2008
    10
    The ultimate synthesis of recent British crime classis; the seriousness, characterization and aesthetics of Sexy Beast and the loopy, multilayered plotting and style of Lock Stock... and Snatch. Very highly recommended.
  4. fiona
    May 11, 2005
    9
    I found this to be a real gem, especially in the wake of the too-many-to-mention below par british gangster film flops we have been subjected to in this post-Lock Stock world we live in. Layer Cake is smart, stylish, sexy, witty, meticulously acted and intelligently directed. Daniel Craig excels, and more than proves his ability to hold a whole film together in a more mainstream production.
  5. yoluv.
    Oct 16, 2005
    9
    Excellent in it's complexity.
  6. JohnC.
    Jun 5, 2005
    9
    Stunning. Tough to follow. Cinematography is a joy to watch.
  7. johnp.
    Jun 9, 2005
    9
    Well acted. well shot. well writen. great directing. hard to follow at times with all the characters but still an amazing british crime thriller.
  8. EdK.
    Jun 21, 2005
    9
    Layer Cake is, to me, the perfect movie: the characters are genuine and well acted; the plot is original; and there's some great action and cinematography. You have to listen carefully (at least I did) to the actors due to their accents, but the lead character is excellently portrayed. You can truly imagine him as a real guy just trying to eke out a reasonable living in a dangerous, unpredictable business. This is one I'll probably buy on DVD.… Expand
  9. [Anonymous]
    Jun 4, 2005
    10
    Best movie of 2005 as of June 1st. Exceptional acting combined with a smart, side-winding story that creates a fully engrossing film.
  10. KishoreK.
    May 25, 2005
    10
    Its a classic gangster thriller. Film holds your the attention and makes you think while watching and after it.
  11. FabienL.
    Nov 28, 2005
    9
    All is good in this movie: great cast, great story, great tempo, perfect tempo: from start to finish. A movie you can see again and again.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
73 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 30 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. Film Threat
    Reviewed by: Chris Barsanti
    70
    The writing is crisp and deeply layered, and the filmmakers gave themselves a rich array of actors to work with.
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  2. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Ray Bennett
    80
    Smartly put together, with interesting characters and caustic wit.
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  3. Variety
    Reviewed by: Leslie Felperin
    80
    There's a proper lived-in believability about Layer Cake's depiction of how the worlds of the rich, the criminal and the criminally rich intersect.
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