Hell or High Water

Name: Hell or High Water
Genre: Drama, Crime
Released: August 12, 2016
Duration: 102 min
Rating: 88

2016

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Universal acclaim based on 47 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 741 Ratings

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8.1	User Score Universal acclaim based on 741 Ratings

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Hell Or High Water

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Movie Details & Credits

CBS Films | Release Date: August 12, 2016 | R

Summary: Two brothers—Toby (Chris Pine), a straight-living, divorced father trying to make a better life for his son; and Tanner (Ben Foster), a short-tempered ex-con with a loose trigger finger—come together to rob branch after branch of the bank that is foreclosing on their family land. The hold-ups are part of a last-ditch scheme to take back aTwo brothers—Toby (Chris Pine), a straight-living, divorced father trying to make a better life for his son; and Tanner (Ben Foster), a short-tempered ex-con with a loose trigger finger—come together to rob branch after branch of the bank that is foreclosing on their family land. The hold-ups are part of a last-ditch scheme to take back a future that powerful forces beyond their control have stolen from under their feet. Vengeance seems to be theirs until they find themselves in the crosshairs of a relentless, foul-mouthed Texas Ranger (Jeff Bridges) looking for one last triumph on the eve of his retirement. As the brothers plot a final bank heist to complete their plan, a showdown looms at the crossroads where the last honest law man and a pair of brothers with nothing to live for except family collide. … Expand

Director: David Mackenzie

Genre(s): Drama, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 102 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Owen Gleiberman

May 20, 2016

Hell or High Water is a thrillingly good movie — a crackerjack drama of crime, fear, and brotherly love set in a sun-roasted, deceptively sleepy West Texas that feels completely exotic for being so authentic. Read full review

100

Walter Addiego

Aug 11, 2016

What Mackenzie has crafted here is a crowd-pleaser with undeniable art-house elements. Read full review

100

Steven Rea

Aug 19, 2016

And Bridges? What's there to say about a man who makes it look so easy, and who - in one breathless, pivotal scene - runs through a range of emotion like a wild pony running across the land. Genius, any way you look at it. Read full review

Ann Hornaday

Aug 11, 2016

In a word, Hell or High Water is terrific. Read full review

Randall Colburn

Aug 10, 2016

A rich, complex drama that’s as much about consequence and justification as it is destiny. Read full review

Stephen Whitty

Aug 10, 2016

The terrific Hell or High Water is like a gritty new retelling of the Frank and Jesse James story — only with getaway cars instead of horses, and assault rifles replacing six-shooters. Read full review

Time Out London Tom Huddleston

Aug 12, 2016

A film with a fistful of memorable moments—most of them involving Bridges hurling insults at people—but not a great deal new to say. Read full review

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User Reviews

LamontRaymond

Aug 12, 2016

Hands down the best film of 2016. The three lead actors blew me away. Ben Foster always brings it, but he delivers a level of nuance I was even surprised by. Chris Pine finally gets a chance to demonstrate his real acting chops - he's been wasting his time in too many Star Trek flicks.Hands down the best film of 2016. The three lead actors blew me away. Ben Foster always brings it, but he delivers a level of nuance I was even surprised by. Chris Pine finally gets a chance to demonstrate his real acting chops - he's been wasting his time in too many Star Trek flicks. And The Dude? Jeff Bridges? This might be his career-defining performance. Beyond the bravura acting performances, the film just has an easy, authentic feel to it. You can almost smell West Texas. It's a beautifully shot work. Won't spoil the plot - just go see this film. It's the antidote to what's been ailing Hollywood for the last couple of years. If this sucker doesn't deliver at least 2 statues in late February 2017, I'll be disappointed. (But what else is new?)… Expand

17 of 23 users found this helpful176

ericrosar

Jun 18, 2017

Truly an amazing film-Best of 2016 IMO. Almost every shot in this movie was visually pleasing. And even more important, the script managed to "flesh-out" almost all the characters we came in contact with. Every scene managed to move the story forward without giving you the "reveal" toOTruly an amazing film-Best of 2016 IMO. Almost every shot in this movie was visually pleasing. And even more important, the script managed to "flesh-out" almost all the characters we came in contact with. Every scene managed to move the story forward without giving you the "reveal" toO early. The reveal was their motivations. A serious film which at times would show some comedic levity while showing you real characters; not what some would like to see as characters.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

StevieGJD

Oct 22, 2016

I truly enjoyed this film. The story is interesting and never boring, though the film has a seemingly lazy pace. The acting is excellent. Even Chris Pine, who I have never thought much of in other films, was very good. I loved the easy interplay between the two cops searching for theI truly enjoyed this film. The story is interesting and never boring, though the film has a seemingly lazy pace. The acting is excellent. Even Chris Pine, who I have never thought much of in other films, was very good. I loved the easy interplay between the two cops searching for the criminals. This is a cops and robbers story with a twist that I've not seen before. Loved it.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

SquaredRen

Apr 27, 2017

Good movie, Jeff's acting left me very impressed. This movie isn't slow as some reviews describe it to be, it's well paced. The overall plot is quite good, but close at the end you can tell what's going to happen. The ending was not that surprising, but overall it's worth to watch.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

LeZee

Dec 4, 2016

Early bird gets the worm.

From the British director of 'Starred Up' fame, it was like another 'The Place Beyond the Pines'. Feels like a modern western kind, because of where this story takes place, I mean Texas. There's no digital world like phones, computers et cetera, just an oldEarly bird gets the worm.

From the British director of 'Starred Up' fame, it was like another 'The Place Beyond the Pines'. Feels like a modern western kind, because of where this story takes place, I mean Texas. There's no digital world like phones, computers et cetera, just an old fashioned storytelling. This is the story of two brothers and their series of bank robbery job. They are doing it for a reason, but on the other end, two cops make their effort to find who they are and nab them red handed. So when they meet, that's where the story gets to its end part.

It has a strong opening, then slows down. Actually, it was approached like a classic crime film, which mean no high-tech. The story was a one liner, but the events in that story were extended. A simple screenplay, yet very effective presented on the screen. Of course the story ends with this film, but feels like there's more. It is very unlikely, though I'm thinking of a sequel.

The people will remember this film for Ben Foster and Chris Pine. One of the best duo on the screen. Easily one of the best films of the year, but just it is a different theme and genre. I watched it not knowing the meaning of the title, and then I googled it. It is nothing like a must see, but I believe that you might regret if you miss it or delay your watch. So I suggest you make a right choice.

8/10… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

AJ_13

Apr 1, 2021

Really enjoyed it. It's much more than a robbery film (talks about poverty, capitalism, race). Also great acting and screenplay.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Broyax

Aug 11, 2018

Deux loustics font des braquages pour arrondir les fins de mois et accessoirement pourvoir aux besoins de leur famille décomposée, payer la pension alimentaire et piquer du fric aux banques responsables de la crise des subprimes et de leur (sur)endettement... on a là un bel agenda social etDeux loustics font des braquages pour arrondir les fins de mois et accessoirement pourvoir aux besoins de leur famille décomposée, payer la pension alimentaire et piquer du fric aux banques responsables de la crise des subprimes et de leur (sur)endettement... on a là un bel agenda social et il est respecté à la lettre.

Ce n'est pas le pire cela dit même si ce prétexte est fort mal exploité... Le pire, c'est Chris Pine et sa tête de noeud : dire que ce branque est le nouveau Capitaine Kirk, ça me fout déjà les boules mais le voir errer avec sa moustache à faire l'acteur, ça fait pitié. Et que dire de son comparse frérot dans le film, incarné par Ben Foster sinon qu'il s'agit d'un bouffon hystérique insupportable ? il vaut mieux ne rien en dire, pour notre bien à tous.

Bien sûr, on a tout de même notre bon vieux Jeff Bridges toujours vert en papy ranger ringard et lourdingue : même son collègue amérindien-mexicain n'en peut plus de ses vannes pourraves... ce bon vieux Jeff mérite nettement mieux que ce rôle mal écrit, superficiel et bourré de clichés d'un scénariste alcoolique de Parkinson.

L'histoire se traîne à deux à l'heure tandis que papy court après les deux guignols ; tout sonne faux et stéréotypé et se révèle à peine digne d'un téléfilm à la petite semaine. Au moins, la mise en scène reste calme et très posée, y compris dans les rares scènes d'action... Mais que c'est mou du genou et pas crédible pour un sou ce machin ! j'ai rarement vu un film aussi bidon.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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14	#14 Best Movie of 2016
36	#36 Most Discussed Movie of 2016
33	#33 Most Shared Movie of 2016