Rotten Tomatoes

Movies / TV

    Celebrity

      No Results Found

      View All
      Movies Tv shows Shop News Showtimes

      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. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Buy Now

      Where to Watch

      Burn After Reading

      Fandango at Home Prime Video Netflix

      Watch Burn After Reading with a subscription on Netflix, rent on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, or buy on Fandango at Home, Prime Video.

      Burn After Reading

      What to Know

      Critics Consensus

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

      Read Critics Reviews

      Critics Reviews

      View All (248) Critics Reviews
      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 Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

      View All (1000+) audience reviews
      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 Read all reviews
      Burn After Reading

      My Rating

      Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

      Cast & Crew

      Burn After Reading

      Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Baby Crow's Feet Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Baby Crow's Feet 2:07 Burn After Reading: Official Clip - A League of Morons Burn After Reading: Official Clip - A League of Morons 3:15 Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Raw Intelligence Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Raw Intelligence 1:36 Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Cocktails and Goat Cheese Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Cocktails and Goat Cheese 1:39 Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Appearances Can Be Deceptive Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Appearances Can Be Deceptive 2:13 Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Tuchman Marsh Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Tuchman Marsh 2:32 Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Caught and Shot Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Caught and Shot 2:11 Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Osbourne Is Out Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Osbourne Is Out 2:06 Burn After Reading: Official Clip - I Got His Number Burn After Reading: Official Clip - I Got His Number 1:54 Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Harry and Linda's Blind Date Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Harry and Linda's Blind Date 2:05 View more videos
      60% 71% Pirate Radio 35% 39% The Last Time 55% 46% Assassination of a High School President 89% 68% A Serious Man 51% 55% Cherish Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

      Movie Info

      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
      Most Popular at Home Now