Burn After Reading

R

Released Sep 12, 2008

1h 35m

Comedy

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

List

78%

Tomatometer

248 Reviews

65%

Audience Score

100,000+ Ratings

When a disc containing memoirs of a former CIA analyst (John Malkovich) falls into the hands of Linda Litzke (Frances McDormand) and Chad Feldheimer (Brad Pitt), the two gym employees see a chance to make enough money for her to have life-changing cosmetic surgery. Predictably, events whirl out of control for the duo doofuses and those in their orbit.

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Critics Consensus

With Burn After Reading, the Coen Brothers have crafted another clever comedy/thriller with an outlandish plot and memorable characters.

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Shubhra Gupta

The Indian Express

Burn After Reading is a comedy that makes fun of almost everything, reminding you that almost none of it is laughing matter.

Apr 29, 2019

Full Review

Deborah Ross

The Spectator

Although there are a couple of vaguely amusing moments, it fails as a comedy because it just isn't funny, and it fails as a thriller because it just isn't suspenseful and it fails as entertainment of any kind because it is all so ludicrously improbable.

Aug 23, 2018

Full Review

Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Rated: B

Feb 18, 2012

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

In setting up a spy thriller that, given the idiocy of its characters, just-so-happens to proceed like a comedy, the Coens’ best humorist qualities emerge after years of slumber, now well-rested and ready to play.

Rated: 3.5/4

Sep 5, 2023

Full Review

James Croot

Stuff.co.nz

The Coen Brothers [return] to their comedic-crime roots... with engaging and ebullient results.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 28, 2021

Full Review

Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

I know I am about to commit film critic heresy, but I found the film's overly clever story left me cold.

Rated: 2.5/5

Jan 31, 2021

Full Review

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Nathan W

I'm not overly impressed with this one, but it wasn't bad either. I wouldn't call it a thriller by any means, but there was some success as a comedy. The characters were over the top and amusing, with some situational comedy thrown in. The plot was messy and ridiculous, but generally entertaining if you don't think about it too much. It featured an all-star cast, but their talents were somewhat wasted on a less than stellar script and strange deliveries. The pacing was good until the third act when it slowed way down. (Normally films pick up at that point, but this one got a little boring). I'm still not really sure what the message was supposed to be, but it was an okay enough way to pass the time.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/23/24

Full Review

Audience Member

A little learning is a dangerous thing. This movie is a comedy of errors which quickly get out of hand. It’s got a great cast which is why I watched it. Not keen on the violence.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/11/24

Full Review

Coco B

This is an unexpected movie. Unexpected because I didn't know I was going to laugh so much! The ending is priceless.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/17/24

Full Review

Finn I

This movie didn't go anywhere. Plot sucked. A few mildly amusing moments kept it from being a lower score.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

04/16/24

Full Review

Koi P

Mildly entertaining. Supporting characters were more interesting than the main one.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/16/24

Full Review

James H

This is the worst Coen Brothers movie ever. It fails on every level. It is not clever, funny, intriguing, or interesting.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/31/24

Full Review

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Joel Coen

Director

Ethan Coen

Director

George Clooney

Harry Pfarrer

Frances McDormand

Linda Litzke

John Malkovich

Osborne Cox

Tilda Swinton

Katie Cox

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Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Baby Crow's Feet

2:07

Burn After Reading: Official Clip - A League of Morons

3:15

Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Raw Intelligence

1:36

Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Cocktails and Goat Cheese

1:39

Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Appearances Can Be Deceptive

2:13

Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Tuchman Marsh

2:32

Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Caught and Shot

2:11

Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Osbourne Is Out

2:06

Burn After Reading: Official Clip - I Got His Number

1:54

Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Harry and Linda's Blind Date

2:05

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Synopsis

When a disc containing memoirs of a former CIA analyst (John Malkovich) falls into the hands of Linda Litzke (Frances McDormand) and Chad Feldheimer (Brad Pitt), the two gym employees see a chance to make enough money for her to have life-changing cosmetic surgery. Predictably, events whirl out of control for the duo doofuses and those in their orbit.

Director: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Producer: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Screenwriter: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Distributor: Focus Features
Production Co: Working Title Films
Rating: R (Some Sexual Content|Pervasive Language|Violence)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 12, 2008, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 1, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $60.3M
Runtime: 1h 35m

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