Reservoir Dogs (1992)
A botched robbery indicates a police informant, and the pressure mounts in the aftermath at a warehouse. Crime begets violence as the survivors -- veteran Mr. White, newcomer Mr. Orange, psychopathic parolee Mr. Blonde, bickering weasel Mr. Pink and Nice Guy Eddie -- unravel.
Details
Budget
$1,200,000
Rating
8/10 (14506 votes)
Status
Released
Production Companies
Live Entertainment, Dog Eat Dog Productions
About Reservoir Dogs
Quentin Tarantino's 1992 debut feature, "Reservoir Dogs," centers on the aftermath of a diamond heist that goes severely awry. Following a botched robbery, a group of criminals, identified by color-coded pseudonyms, gather in a warehouse. The central tension comes from their belief that one of them is a police informant, leading to escalating paranoia, suspicion, and violence. The film uses a nonlinear timeline, jumping between the present warehouse standoff and flashbacks that fill in details about the planning of the heist and how the crew was assembled.
The film explores themes of betrayal and the dynamics within a criminal gang under pressure. Its approach, combining crime and thriller elements, maintains a sustained level of suspense. The narrative relies heavily on dialogue and character interaction, particularly as the group attempts to identify the traitor among them. Despite the high body count and graphic violence, much of it occurs off-screen or is implied, with the focus remaining on the characters' psychological unraveling and their reactions to the unfolding disaster. It received an 8.3/10 on IMDb, a 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, and an 81/100 on Metacritic.
Why you might be searching for Reservoir Dogs
People search for this film due to its memorable stylized dialogue, its non-linear narrative structure, and specific violent scenes like the ear incident. The premise of a heist gone wrong and the subsequent search for a 'rat' among criminals is a strong draw, as are queries related to its cast members and it being an early work from a prominent director.
What reviewers are saying
One reviewer praised the film as a stylish and intelligent take on the heist genre, noting its blend of humor with violence and drawing parallels to earlier works by Martin Scorsese for its use of music and engaging violence.
Read the full reviewA reviewer found the film unsatisfactory, describing it as 99 minutes of uninteresting characters and dull dialogue, primarily set in one location, and felt it did not live up to the director's later works despite its status as a debut.
Read the full reviewAnother reviewer did not understand the film's appeal, citing a lack of sophistication in its characters and excessive expletives. They found the plot predictable and the violence unoriginal, concluding the film was generally dull.
Read the full reviewA reviewer expressed confusion about the film's appeal, feeling that little significant action occurs throughout, though they noted the presence of a specific actor as a positive point.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about finding and identifying movies
You can stream "Reservoir Dogs" on Amazon Prime Video, Peacock Premium, YouTube TV, or Amazon Prime Video with Ads. It's also available for rent or purchase on platforms like Amazon Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home, and FlixFling. Additionally, it can be purchased on DVD or Blu-ray.
"Reservoir Dogs" is not based on a true story. It is a 1992 American heist film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino in his feature-length directorial debut.
In the chaotic ending, Mr. Pink escapes with the diamonds. Mr. White holds a dying Mr. Orange, who confesses he is an undercover police officer. As police storm the warehouse, gunfire erupts, and Mr. White collapses, wounded after presumably shooting Mr. Orange.
"Reservoir Dogs" is widely considered a classic independent film that launched Quentin Tarantino's career. It has an approval rating of 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and an average score of 81 out of 100 on Metacritic, indicating "universal acclaim."