Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Graphic
- aggressive
- foreboding
- darkly comic
- crime film marathon
- british cinema night
What critics said
Critics broadly found Tom Hardy’s dual performance compelling and entertaining, while judging the surrounding writing and gangster-drama formula uneven.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Tom Hardy plays both Ronald and Reginald Kray, making their contrasting temperaments and unstable bond the film’s central performance device.
The Kray brothers’ rise through intimidation and protection rackets is paired with Ronnie’s volatility and the disintegration of Reggie’s marriage.
The film portrays the notorious Kray twins through their celebrity, reputation, nightlife, and dominance of London’s criminal underworld.
Reggie’s attempts to pursue legitimacy and marriage are continually compromised by his commitment to Ronnie and their shared empire.
Films like Legend, and why
The Long Good Friday
shared british gangster setting, criminal ambition, violent underworld politics, and tragic rise-and-fall structure
The King of New York
shared biographical crime drama format, charismatic criminal protagonist, and morally corrosive ambition
Gangster No. 1
shared stylish gangster filmmaking, criminal brotherhood, violence, and doomed personal relationships
The Departed
shared dual performance conceit, psychological instability, and intense crime drama atmosphere
Movie Details
- Director
- Brian Helgeland
- Release Date
- 2015-09-09
- Runtime
- 132 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (4419)
Cast
- Tom Hardy
- Emily Browning
- Christopher Eccleston
- David Thewlis
- Taron Egerton
- Chazz Palminteri
- Colin Morgan
- Paul Bettany
- Tara Fitzgerald
- Paul Anderson
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Legend about?
- A stylish, volatile portrait of the Kray twins, whose criminal empire is undermined by family loyalty, psychological instability, and a doomed marriage.
- What is Legend like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Legend as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Legend violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Legend as graphic.
- What did critics think of Legend?
- Critics broadly found Tom Hardy’s dual performance compelling and entertaining, while judging the surrounding writing and gangster-drama formula uneven.
- Which films are like Legend?
- Films with a similar feel include The Long Good Friday, The King of New York, Gangster No. 1, and The Departed.
- How long is Legend?
- Legend runs 132 minutes.
- Where can I watch Legend?
- In United States, Legend is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home.
