Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- sleek
- seductive
- date night
- heist movie night
What critics said
Critics found the film stylish and charming, with engaging stars and clever scams, but considered its many twists and shallow writing uneven.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Nicky's scams move through upscale settings and rely on status performance, luxury, and spectacle.
Nicky and Jess are romantically drawn together while both live through lies and manipulation.
The plot emphasizes cons, double-crosses, misdirection, and competing attempts to outmaneuver marks and allies.
Nicky takes amateur con artist Jess under his wing and trains her in the trade.
Films like Focus, and why
The Sting
Shared con artist plotting, elaborate scams, romantic tension, and polished escapist entertainment.
Ocean's Eleven
Shared glossy ensemble crime caper structure, charismatic performers, and intricate deception.
Out of Sight
Shared romantic distrust, professional swindling, double-crosses, and twist-driven crime storytelling.
House of Games
Shared con artist tradecraft, psychological manipulation, and morally slippery relationships.
Movie Details
- Directors
- Glenn Ficarra, John Requa
- Release Date
- 2015-02-25
- Runtime
- 105 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (8432)
Cast
- Will Smith
- Margot Robbie
- Adrian Martinez
- Gerald McRaney
- Rodrigo Santoro
- BD Wong
- Brennan Brown
- Robert Taylor
- Griff Furst
- Dotan Bonen
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, Starz Amazon Channel, Starz, Starz Apple TV channel, Starz Roku Premium Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex
- 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 Focus about?
- A veteran grifter trains an ambitious novice while discovering that professional deception makes genuine romance nearly impossible.
- What is Focus like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Focus as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Focus violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Focus as mild.
- What did critics think of Focus?
- Critics found the film stylish and charming, with engaging stars and clever scams, but considered its many twists and shallow writing uneven.
- Which films are like Focus?
- Films with a similar feel include The Sting, Ocean's Eleven, Out of Sight, and House of Games.
- How long is Focus?
- Focus runs 105 minutes.
- Where can I watch Focus?
- In United States, Focus streams on Philo, Starz Amazon Channel, Starz, Starz Apple TV channel, Starz Roku Premium Channel.
