Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Graphic
- bleak
- grim
- tense
- late night thriller viewing
- crime film marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found Michael Caine’s committed performance and the film’s emotional force gripping, while its lurid violence and simplistic social politics divided opinion.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Harry turns to vigilante action after police fail to secure justice for Leonard’s murder.
The plot foregrounds gang intimidation, drug dealing, riots, and police inability to control Harry’s neighborhood.
The film’s bleak English setting, shadowy criminal networks, and morally compromised vigilante premise align with neo-noir conventions.
Leonard’s old bayonet is introduced as self-defense, then becomes central to the police case and the gang’s legal defense.
Films like Harry Brown, and why
Gran Torino
shares an aging protagonist, vigilante revenge, urban crime, and morally contentious social commentary
Death Wish
shares neo-noir crime tension, vigilante justice, bleak urban atmosphere, and escalating revenge violence
You Were Never Really Here
shares a solitary older protagonist, violent criminal underworld, and grim revenge-thriller intensity
The Long Good Friday
shares British crime realism, social decay, and a protagonist pushed toward extrajudicial violence
Movie Details
- Director
- Daniel Barber
- Release Date
- 2009-11-11
- Runtime
- 103 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (1206)
Cast
- Michael Caine
- Emily Mortimer
- Iain Glen
- Lee Oakes
- Liam Cunningham
- Sean Harris
- Charlie Creed-Miles
- David Bradley
- Plan B
- Jack O'Connell
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+, Sundance Now, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Harry Brown about?
- A grieving retired marine wages a grim one-man war against the gang violence that has swallowed his neighborhood.
- What is Harry Brown like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Harry Brown as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Harry Brown violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Harry Brown as graphic.
- What did critics think of Harry Brown?
- Critics broadly found Michael Caine’s committed performance and the film’s emotional force gripping, while its lurid violence and simplistic social politics divided opinion.
- Which films are like Harry Brown?
- Films with a similar feel include Gran Torino, Death Wish, You Were Never Really Here, and The Long Good Friday.
- How long is Harry Brown?
- Harry Brown runs 103 minutes.
- Where can I watch Harry Brown?
- In United States, Harry Brown streams on Amazon Prime Video, Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+, Sundance Now, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
