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What Doesn't Kill You
What Doesn't Kill You Image
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Metascore
71 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critics What's this?

User Score
5.3 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 11 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Starring: Brian Goodman, Ethan Hawke, Mark Ruffalo
  • Summary: Brian and Paulie are friends who grew up like brothers on the gritty streets of south Boston. They do whatever it takes to survive, living by the code of their dog-eat-dog neighborhood. Petty crimes and misdemeanors grow into more serious offenses and eventually, they fall under sway to organized crime boss Pat Kelly. As Brian becomes increasingly lost in a haze of drugs and ‘jobs,’ even the love he has for his wife and his children does not seem like it will be enough to redeem him. Meanwhile, Paulie plans “one last heist” but knows it will take both of them to pull it off. How can they escape the only life they know? (Yari Film Group)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Peter Brunette
    100
    With Mark Ruffalo and Ethan Hawke registering personal bests in the performance category as well as playing magnificently and ultraconvincingly off each other, What Doesn't Kill You, a true story that is powerful and completely riveting from beginning to end.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Lisa Schwarzbaum
    83
    A tough, authentic street drama born, bred, and shot in the no-spin zone of working-class South Boston.
  3. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Nicolas Rapold
    40
    Goodman's movie tends to limp along.

See all 10 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. bobs
    10
    More like an 8, but gotta try to skew that dopey user rating - makes us all look bad. This was a fine film - can't wait for Goodman's next.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. JayH
    7
    Powerful but very heavy, exceptionally well acted, gritty, realistic and believable. Fine cinematography, good direction. Good job overall. The characters are well defined.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

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