lawless movie reviews

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Lawless Reviews

The percentage of elevated violence impregnates and propels almost every facet of the protagonists' life. [Full review in Spanish]

Full Review | Original Score: 8/10 | Apr 12, 2023

There isn't much dimension to these proceedings and not an inkling of greater meaning beyond the story at hand, but it’s such a well-made picture that one can hardly protest.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Oct 3, 2022

“Lawless” is a tough, bloody, and violent action picture that’s very honest in what it’s trying to be. The story is simple and nothing will catch you by surprise. But it’s also compelling and the characters are easy to invest in.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 23, 2022

There are simply too many characters.

Full Review | Original Score: B- | Sep 18, 2021

This graphically bloody film forgets to develop a memorable story.

Full Review | Original Score: 5/10 | Dec 2, 2020

With so many talented people at work, this should have been a much better film.

Full Review | Original Score: B- | Jul 30, 2020

On every level, it is impossible to turn away from the story unfolding onscreen. Emotionally and historically immersive, Lawless is close to flawless.

Full Review | Nov 27, 2019

While this movie doesn't reach the heights of those films, it is better than most dramatic action films you'd see.

Full Review | Jul 30, 2019

The cast, while impressive, does little with what they have.

Full Review | Original Score: 5/10 | Jul 2, 2019

When Hardy and the rest of the adults are allowed to do the heavy lifting, "Lawless" is a kind of fun period piece. But every time LeBeouf takes center stage, it feels more like someone playing dress up.

Full Review | Original Score: C | Apr 11, 2019

Lawless is basically a tale of Badass Vs. Badass, with some additional Badasses thrown in for good measure.

Full Review | Mar 4, 2019

Complex, horrifying, pitch-perfect and exceedingly well acted, it's the near-brilliant film you never expected at the end of summer.

Full Review | Feb 27, 2019

Lawless wants to be something larger than life, but it's too joyless to be a tall tale and too self-satisfied for tragedy.

Full Review | Feb 22, 2019

The average script ensures that the film is memorable only for its remarkably poor representations of women.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Feb 2, 2019

Overall, Lawless is good. It looks and feels right, and a balance of grit and fun that makes us appreciate the filmic tradition being celebrated here, as well as Lawless itself.

Full Review | Original Score: B | Jan 31, 2019

Not quite as great as Hillcoat & Cave's previous collaborations, but still a strong analyzation of damaged and violent men.

Full Review | Jan 19, 2019

The genre of the Western is nearly as old as the medium itself... Lawless shows there are plenty of ways to modernize the category while still showing it respect.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4 | Dec 21, 2018

It's interesting, if not gripping. It's well-acted, if not brilliantly acted. It's beautiful, if not breathtaking.

Full Review | Original Score: 7/10 | Nov 2, 2018

The MVP of the film is most certainly Jessica Chastain.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Aug 27, 2018

The recurring act of violence In 'Lawless' is a brass-knuckle punch to the throat. It's not pretty. The movie's not pretty either, but it's an instant gangster classic.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jun 29, 2016

Cast & crew

User reviews

Tom Hardy, Shia LaBeouf, and Jessica Chastain in Lawless (2012)

Much better than most Hollywood fare

WildBullWriter
Oct 10, 2012

Prohibition time: the most interesting battles are not just in the cities...

joebloggscity
Oct 12, 2012

Bondurant Family Values

Apr 1, 2013

good but not memorable

Aug 3, 2013

Lacking chemistry, humour and grit, "Lawless" feels like nobody's heart was in it.

Sergeant_Tibbs
Jun 25, 2013

Very good historical film about the 1920s

Irishchatter
Feb 8, 2020

Everything seemed to good to be true. And it was, but only a little bit.

ThePadraigMoista
Sep 11, 2012

Something's went wrong

Sep 10, 2012

Tom Hardy solidifies himself as the baddest badass of our time

UberGoober1411
Oct 6, 2012

A terrific (true?) story. 87.5+%

Oct 23, 2012

Commercial Considerations Let It Down

Theo Robertson
Jul 10, 2013

Brilliant drama

jessicareid
Aug 6, 2013

Pretty decent

Jan 2, 2021

Less Than Lawless

littlemartinarocena
Aug 31, 2012

A unique perspective of prohibition criminals

Jul 3, 2014

Lawless is a typical B-movie in structure

Nov 14, 2020

Good gangster thriller

Jan 9, 2020
Jun 10, 2024

Bad ending for a good movie

veera-54554
Apr 6, 2021

Violent but great acting

Nov 18, 2012

A modern Gangster classic of good old boy bootleggers

May 24, 2012

Good, but a bit disappointing

Sep 21, 2015

This is a really fine movie

JohnRayPeterson

A little bit of mafias, cowboys, and a sprinkle of romance

Sep 3, 2014

Disappointingly Average

god_is_a_myth
Mar 25, 2013

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