Watch Righteous Kill
- R
- 2008
- 1 hr 43 min
-
6.0 (92,917)
Righteous Kill is a 2008 American crime thriller film directed by Jon Avnet, starring Hollywood legends Robert De Niro and Al Pacino as two New York City veteran detectives who are on the hunt for a serial killer targeting criminals who have managed to slip through the cracks of the judicial system. The film also features Carla Gugino, John Leguizamo, Donnie Wahlberg, and 50 Cent.
The movie follows the story of veteran NYPD detectives, Turk (Robert De Niro) and Rooster (Al Pacino), who have been partners for more than 30 years. They are investigating a series of murders of criminals who were previously prosecuted, but released on technicalities. The duo is convinced that the killer is a vigilante who is bringing justice to those who got away with their heinous crimes.
As the investigation wears on, the partners begin to suspect they might be chasing one of their own. Some of Turc and Rooster's colleagues have mixed up in some shady business activities and they believe that one of them might be responsible for the murders. Meanwhile, they continue to receive letters and clues from the killer, who appears to be taunting them, leading them deeper into the investigation.
Throughout the film, the audience is presented with a series of flashbacks, including scenes from the murderer's past, which provide a glimpse into the vigilante's traumatic past, which is believed to be the driving force behind their dangerous obsession to seek justice in their own way.
Turc and Rooster's personal relationship is strained because of their different approaches to solving the case, as well as their philosophical differences on how to ensure justice is served. Rooster is a no-nonsense officer who believes in following protocol, while Turk is more of a loose cannon, willing to bend the rules if it means catching the killer.
Righteous Kill is a gripping thriller that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. De Niro and Pacino deliver strong performances as usual, although their combination in the film is not as dynamic as their previous collaboration in "Heat." Carla Gugino plays a sharp district attorney who is working with the detectives during the investigation and serves as the love interest for De Niro's character.
The film also has a great supporting cast, including Donnie Wahlberg, who plays a young cop, and 50 Cent as a bitter ex-con who once served with Rooster and becomes a key figure in the investigation.
The film is notable for its twists and turns, with the killer's identity remaining a mystery until the very end. Righteous Kill also touches on themes of morality, ethics, and the corrupting influence of power. The script is skillfully written and keeps the audience guessing until the end.
Overall, Righteous Kill is an enjoyable thriller with a solid cast and a well-crafted script. While it may not be the best of De Niro and Pacino's collaborations, it is still a compelling and suspenseful film that is definitely worth a watch.
Righteous Kill is a 2008 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 43 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0 and a MetaScore of 36.