Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Brutal
- pulped
- suspenseful
- rough-edged
- action movie night
- crime thriller marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly viewed the film as a weak, confusing B movie whose pulpy premise and capable cast were undermined by poor direction and an incoherent plot.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Tim Kearney must pose as the recently deceased drug dealer Bobby Z during a hostage exchange.
After the negotiation collapses, Kearney flees with Bobby Z's son in tow.
The plot moves through Baja California locations including a vineyard and drug lord's estate.
The DEA offers imprisoned former Marine Tim Kearney a way out through the impersonation scheme.
Films like The Death and Life of Bobby Z, and why
Face/Off
shared identity-swapping crime premise, drug-trade intrigue, and brisk action-thriller tone
Point Break
shared crime-action structure involving a criminal underworld, double crosses, and an unwilling protagonist under pressure
The Getaway
shared fugitive-on-the-run energy, criminal conspiracies, and pulpy action storytelling
Movie Details
- Director
- John Herzfeld
- Release Date
- 2007-07-23
- Runtime
- 97 min
- Rating
- 6.2 / 10 (416)
Cast
- Paul Walker
- Laurence Fishburne
- Olivia Wilde
- Jason Lewis
- Michael Bowen
- Richard Bairos
- Jarrod Bunch
- Shirly Brener
- Keith Carradine
- Chuck Liddell
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
- 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 The Death and Life of Bobby Z about?
- An imprisoned former Marine impersonates a dead drug lord, then becomes a hunted fugitive while protecting the criminal’s son.
- What is The Death and Life of Bobby Z like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Death and Life of Bobby Z as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Death and Life of Bobby Z violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in The Death and Life of Bobby Z as brutal.
- What did critics think of The Death and Life of Bobby Z?
- Critics broadly viewed the film as a weak, confusing B movie whose pulpy premise and capable cast were undermined by poor direction and an incoherent plot.
- Which films are like The Death and Life of Bobby Z?
- Films with a similar feel include Face/Off, Point Break, and The Getaway.
- How long is The Death and Life of Bobby Z?
- The Death and Life of Bobby Z runs 97 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Death and Life of Bobby Z?
- In United States, The Death and Life of Bobby Z is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
