Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- melancholic
- lyrical
- wistful
- quiet evening
- rainy day
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a visually poetic, beautifully acted, and emotionally affecting New Hollywood-inspired crime romance, while noting that its conventional plot can drift toward romanticization.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film frames Bob and Ruth's outlaw romance with mythic, lyrical imagery and a gospel-inflected soundtrack.
David Lowery lingers over meticulously composed Texas hills, ruined structures, costumes, and production details.
The film delays contextual details about the shooting, separation, and family relationships before revealing them incrementally.
Bob escapes prison not for wealth or revenge but to reunite with Ruth and meet his daughter Sylvie.
Films like Ain't Them Bodies Saints, and why
The Place Beyond the Pines
poetic independent crime drama, romanticized outlaws, and lyrical rural landscapes
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
intimate outlaw romance, melancholic Americana, and mythic crime storytelling
Badlands
New Hollywood-inspired crime drama, doomed romance, and stylized rural violence
The Rider
slow-burn western atmosphere, fugitive protagonists, and emotionally restrained romantic drama
Movie Details
- Director
- David Lowery
- Release Date
- 2013-07-03
- Runtime
- 96 min
- Rating
- 6.1 / 10 (472)
Cast
- Rooney Mara
- Casey Affleck
- Ben Foster
- Keith Carradine
- Kennadie Smith
- Jacklynn Smith
- Nate Parker
- Robert Longstreet
- Charles Baker
- Augustine Frizzell
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Roku Premium Channel, AMC+, Sundance Now
- Rent
- Apple TV Store
- Buy
- Apple TV Store
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Ain't Them Bodies Saints about?
- An outlaw's escape across the Texas hills becomes a lyrical, melancholy quest for lost love, family, and redemption.
- What is Ain't Them Bodies Saints like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Ain't Them Bodies Saints as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Ain't Them Bodies Saints violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Ain't Them Bodies Saints as moderate.
- What did critics think of Ain't Them Bodies Saints?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a visually poetic, beautifully acted, and emotionally affecting New Hollywood-inspired crime romance, while noting that its conventional plot can drift toward romanticization.
- Which films are like Ain't Them Bodies Saints?
- Films with a similar feel include The Place Beyond the Pines, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, Badlands, and The Rider.
- How long is Ain't Them Bodies Saints?
- Ain't Them Bodies Saints runs 96 minutes.
- Where can I watch Ain't Them Bodies Saints?
- In United States, Ain't Them Bodies Saints streams on Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Roku Premium Channel, AMC+, Sundance Now.
