Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Graphic
- brooding
- tragic
- gritty
- crime movie night
- serious weekend viewing
What critics said
Critics found the strong cast and vivid 1970s period detail compelling, but broadly regarded the familiar crime story as formulaic and too inert.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Chris's return forces police officer Frank to choose between protecting his brother and enforcing moral and legal limits.
The film emphasizes 1970s cars, decorated exteriors, record players, and classic songs to evoke New York in 1974.
Chris leaves prison on good behavior, receives housing, work, and family support, but returns to crime and betrays Frank's trust.
Chris is an ex-convict drawn back into gangland crime while Frank is a promising police officer trying to build a lawful future.
Films like Blood Ties, and why
The Yards
1970s crime drama centered on morally divided brothers, criminal loyalty, and family betrayal
We Own the Night
brooding urban crime thriller with period texture, doomed relationships, and escalating violence
The Departed
crime-family drama about brothers pulled between law enforcement and organized crime
American Gangster
stylish New York crime film pairing familial conflict with criminal underworld tensions
Movie Details
- Director
- Guillaume Canet
- Release Date
- 2013-08-22
- Runtime
- 128 min
- Rating
- 6.1 / 10 (521)
Cast
- Clive Owen
- Billy Crudup
- Marion Cotillard
- Mila Kunis
- Zoe Saldaña
- Matthias Schoenaerts
- James Caan
- Noah Emmerich
- Lili Taylor
- Domenick Lombardozzi
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Starz Apple TV channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Blood Ties about?
- A released ex-convict and his police-brother struggle to preserve family loyalty as criminal habits turn their shared history into an irreversible feud.
- What is Blood Ties like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Blood Ties as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Blood Ties violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Blood Ties as graphic.
- What did critics think of Blood Ties?
- Critics found the strong cast and vivid 1970s period detail compelling, but broadly regarded the familiar crime story as formulaic and too inert.
- Which films are like Blood Ties?
- Films with a similar feel include The Yards, We Own the Night, The Departed, and American Gangster.
- How long is Blood Ties?
- Blood Ties runs 128 minutes.
- Where can I watch Blood Ties?
- In United States, Blood Ties streams on Amazon Prime Video, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Starz Apple TV channel.
