Overview
In the gritty underbelly of Copenhagen, a desperate man fights for survival after a drug deal goes wrong.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- gritty
- tense
- bleak
- late night
- crime movie marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regard it as a solid, breakthrough Danish crime thriller distinguished by its cast and gritty underworld atmosphere, though its repetitive plotting and uneven stylistic choices draw some criticism.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Frank loses a large shipment of drugs, becomes indebted to Milo, and scrambles through Copenhagen's underworld to raise the money.
Frank moves between dealers, suppliers, police, and associates in a sustained attempt to repair the damage caused by the failed deal.
The film follows a Copenhagen drug dealer through practical underworld negotiations and police pressure rather than presenting an idealized criminal empire.
The film is recognized as the first Danish-language gangster film and became a breakthrough for Danish crime filmmaking.
Films like Pusher, and why
Goodfellas
shared gritty crime thriller intensity, criminal underworld setting, and morally compromised protagonist
Uncut Gems
shared urban criminal milieu, escalating debt, and relentless pressure from violent associates
The Guilty
shared Danish crime drama atmosphere, street-level realism, and doomed criminal ambition
Trainspotting
shared bleak neo-noir tone, drug-world desperation, and escalating consequences
Movie Details
- Director
- Nicolas Winding Refn
- Release Date
- 1996-08-30
- Runtime
- 110 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (922)
Cast
- Kim Bodnia
- Mads Mikkelsen
- Laura Drasbæk
- Zlatko Burić
- Slavko Labović
- Peter Andersson
- Vanja Bajicic
- Lisbeth Rasmussen
- Levino Jensen
- Nicolas Winding Refn
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, Philo, Magnolia Selects Amazon Channel, Warriors and Gangsters Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Pusher about?
- A Copenhagen drug dealer races through a hostile criminal underworld to repay a debt after a police bust destroys his biggest deal.
- What is Pusher like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Pusher as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Pusher violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Pusher as moderate.
- What did critics think of Pusher?
- Critics broadly regard it as a solid, breakthrough Danish crime thriller distinguished by its cast and gritty underworld atmosphere, though its repetitive plotting and uneven stylistic choices draw some criticism.
- Which films are like Pusher?
- Films with a similar feel include Goodfellas, Uncut Gems, The Guilty, and Trainspotting.
- How long is Pusher?
- Pusher runs 110 minutes.
- Where can I watch Pusher?
- In United States, Pusher streams on fuboTV, Philo, Magnolia Selects Amazon Channel, Warriors and Gangsters Amazon Channel.
