Synopsis
A low-ranking thug is entrusted by his boss to dispose of a gun that killed corrupt cops, but things spiral out of control when the gun ends up in wrong hands.
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Cast
- Paul WalkerJoey Gazelle
- Cameron BrightOleg Yugorsky
- Vera FarmigaTeresa Gazelle
- Chazz PalminteriDetective Rydell
- Karel RodenAnzor Yugorsky
- Johnny MessnerTommy 'Tombs' Perello
- Ivana MiličevićMila Yugorsky
- Alex NeubergerNicky Gazelle
- Michael CudlitzSal "Gummy Bear" Franzone
- Bruce AltmanDez
Recommendations
- 75
ReelViews
If you like kinetic movies about crime, criminals, and all sorts of bad behavior, Running Scared will catch and hold your attention. - 75
Chicago Sun-Times
Goes so far over the top, it circumnavigates the top and doubles back on itself; it's the Mobius Strip of over-the-topness. I am in awe. It throws in everything but the kitchen sink. Then it throws in the kitchen sink, too, and the combo washer-dryer in the laundry room, while the hero and his wife are having sex on top of it. - 60
The Hollywood Reporter
There also are hints of Doug Liman and Tony Scott to be found in this hopped-up, bullet-riddled crime thriller, but while certain sequences pack an admitted visceral kick, the prevailing effect is one of utter overkill. - 50
Variety
There's no denying that viewers not prepared for the relentless stream of nasty personalities, profane invective and bone-crunching violence are in for a very long sit. - 50
Washington Post
Not surprisingly, everything feels begged, borrowed and stolen from other better movies, from Quentin Tarantino's exclamation-point violence to the slo-mo bullet trajectory shots from "The Matrix." - 50
The New York Times
Even a talented lead couldn't save Mr. Kramer from himself. As a writer, he may have fashioned a genre-busting screenplay, one that has its postmodern cake and eats it, too, but as a director he proves himself as blood simple, if generally less adept, as any Hollywood hire. - 40
Village Voice
Writer-director Wayne Kramer (The Cooler) is about as skilled at storytelling as Walker is at acting, which is to say not very. - 40
L.A. Weekly
Running Scared is decently acted and divertingly brutal, but it's also a giant step backward for its maker.
