Overview
A relentless gangster seeks vengeance in the dark underbelly of Newcastle.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- bleak
- gritty
- tense
- late night noir viewing
- crime film marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regard Get Carter as a tightly constructed, darkly entertaining British neo-noir whose gritty realism and professional craftsmanship are balanced against concerns about its amorality, complex plotting, and excessive violence.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Jack Carter travels to Newcastle for his brother's funeral and pursues those responsible for his death.
The Newcastle underworld is presented through pubs, backhanders, cover-ups, and sudden brutality.
Carter's pursuit is driven by personal loyalty but conducted through intimidation, violence, and casual sadism.
The film is identified as British neo-noir and filters hard-boiled crime through bleak northern English locations.
Films like Get Carter, and why
The Long Good Friday
British neo-noir, ruthless revenge quest, bleak urban atmosphere, and morally compromised protagonist
Point Blank
Hard-boiled crime plotting, stylized violence, terse antihero, and revenge-driven momentum
The Friends of Eddie Coyle
Gritty gangster world, brutal underworld reprisals, and coolly controlled neo-noir tone
The French Connection
British crime realism, working-class urban setting, and uncompromising criminal protagonist
Movie Details
- Director
- Mike Hodges
- Release Date
- 1971-02-03
- Runtime
- 112 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (592)
Cast
- Michael Caine
- Ian Hendry
- Britt Ekland
- John Osborne
- Tony Beckley
- George Sewell
- Geraldine Moffat
- Rosemarie Dunham
- Petra Markham
- Alun Armstrong
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 Get Carter about?
- A remorseless London gangster turns his brother’s funeral into a merciless investigation of Newcastle’s corrupt underworld.
- What is Get Carter like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Get Carter as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Get Carter violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Get Carter as graphic.
- What did critics think of Get Carter?
- Critics broadly regard Get Carter as a tightly constructed, darkly entertaining British neo-noir whose gritty realism and professional craftsmanship are balanced against concerns about its amorality, complex plotting, and excessive violence.
- Which films are like Get Carter?
- Films with a similar feel include The Long Good Friday, Point Blank, The Friends of Eddie Coyle, and The French Connection.
- How long is Get Carter?
- Get Carter runs 112 minutes.
- Where can I watch Get Carter?
- In United States, Get Carter is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
