Overview
A war veteran confronts his past and a ruthless gangster in a hurricane-ravaged hotel.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- tense
- claustrophobic
- foreboding
- classic movie night
- rainy night viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly regard it as an enthralling, atmospheric film noir powered by its performances, suspenseful chamber-piece construction, and John Huston's direction, despite occasional criticism of its overemphatic dialogue and social allegory.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Most of the action confines Frank, Nora, James, and the gangsters inside the Florida Keys hotel during the hurricane.
Frank's postwar disillusionment initially makes him avoid confrontation, until Rocco's cruelty and killings force him to act.
The approaching hurricane isolates the hotel and heightens the suspense surrounding the gangsters' hostage situation.
Johnny Rocco's greed and contempt for human dignity reflect the film's concern with postwar American despair and moral corruption.
Films like Key Largo, and why
The Maltese Falcon
shared film noir atmosphere, gangster menace, moral conflict, and postwar disillusionment
To Have and Have Not
shared florida keys setting, romantic tension, wartime aftermath, and crime thriller suspense
The Petrified Forest
shared claustrophobic hostage drama, criminal authority, and escalating psychological tension
The Desperate Hours
shared chamber-piece structure, organized crime, morally pressured civilians, and intense ensemble performances
Movie Details
- Director
- John Huston
- Release Date
- 1948-07-16
- Runtime
- 100 min
- Rating
- 7.5 / 10 (602)
Cast
- Humphrey Bogart
- Edward G. Robinson
- Lauren Bacall
- Thomas Gomez
- Lionel Barrymore
- Harry Lewis
- Dan Seymour
- William Haade
- Claire Trevor
- John Rodney
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- 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 Key Largo about?
- A disillusioned war veteran must reclaim his moral courage when a ruthless gangster turns a Florida hotel into a hurricane-bound prison.
- What is Key Largo like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Key Largo as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Key Largo violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Key Largo as moderate.
- What did critics think of Key Largo?
- Critics broadly regard it as an enthralling, atmospheric film noir powered by its performances, suspenseful chamber-piece construction, and John Huston's direction, despite occasional criticism of its overemphatic dialogue and social allegory.
- Which films are like Key Largo?
- Films with a similar feel include The Maltese Falcon, To Have and Have Not, The Petrified Forest, and The Desperate Hours.
- How long is Key Largo?
- Key Largo runs 100 minutes.
- Where can I watch Key Largo?
- In United States, Key Largo is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand.
