Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Breakneck
- Intensity
- Extreme
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- frenetic
- grim
- visceral
- late night thriller viewing
- action movie marathon
What critics said
Critics found the film energetically stylized and well acted, but broadly agreed that its gratuitous violence, thin character development, and implausible plot undermine the spectacle.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The gangland world, vicious set pieces, and tonal mashup are presented as a dark, heightened fairytale realm.
The gun that killed a dirty cop is stolen by a neighbor child and becomes the object sought by Joey, police, and mob figures.
Joey's criminal obligations collide with his urgent attempt to protect the neighbor boy and preserve his family.
Desaturated cinematography, Steadicam and crane movement, and elaborate violent set pieces create a rich but dirty visual register.
Films like Running Scared, and why
Sin City
Shares hyper-stylized neo-noir crime, relentless pacing, morally compromised criminals, and graphic violence.
Smokin' Aces
Shares frenetic crime-thriller energy, nonlinear-feeling escalation, stylized brutality, and a criminal underworld populated by corrupt institutions.
The Boondock Saints
Shares a desperate criminal protagonist, mob violence, grimy urban atmosphere, and over-the-top action filtered through heightened genre style.
Running Scared
Shares a darkly comic crime thriller tone, violent underworld intrigue, and a protagonist trying to contain a rapidly escalating catastrophe.
Movie Details
- Director
- Wayne Kramer
- Release Date
- 2006-01-06
- Runtime
- 122 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (1209)
Cast
- Paul Walker
- Cameron Bright
- Vera Farmiga
- Chazz Palminteri
- Karel Roden
- Johnny Messner
- Ivana Miličević
- Alex Neuberger
- Michael Cudlitz
- Bruce Altman
Where to watch in United States
- 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 Running Scared about?
- A desperate mob-connected father races through a nightmarish criminal underworld to recover a gun and save the child who stole it.
- What is Running Scared like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Running Scared as breakneck, its intensity as extreme and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Running Scared violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Running Scared as graphic.
- What did critics think of Running Scared?
- Critics found the film energetically stylized and well acted, but broadly agreed that its gratuitous violence, thin character development, and implausible plot undermine the spectacle.
- Which films are like Running Scared?
- Films with a similar feel include Sin City, Smokin' Aces, The Boondock Saints, and Running Scared.
- How long is Running Scared?
- Running Scared runs 122 minutes.
- Where can I watch Running Scared?
- In United States, Running Scared is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
