Triple 9

Triple 9 Review


Before we start, I love how they have the '999' on the movie poster just so we know what Triple 9 stands for.

Also, I watched this film as part of Cineworld's Secret Screenings for Unlimited customers where you don't know what you're gonna be watching until the opening titles role. The screening was packed out as I believe many people, myself included, were expecting Deadpool to be the showing. When it was revealed that the movie was in fact Triple 9, half of the audience left before it even started and some left after watching the first ten minutes. This is basically a blind viewing for me as I had only heard of this movie from an ad on the side of a bus. Anyway, onto the review.


Triple 9 is a crime drama directed by John Hillcoat, best known for The Road and Lawless.

The movie stars Kate Winslet, Woody Harrelson, Casey Affleck, Anthony Mackie, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Aaron Paul and Norman Reedus. Quite the cast list.

The movie follows five gangsters, two of whom work for the police, who are given heist-style jobs by a group of Russian mobsters, led by Kate Winslet, in order to have their leader released from prison.

Let's start with the performances. Aside from Winslet, who looked like she was just there for a quick payday, everyone gave a solid performance here, especially Chiwetel who impressed as the seeming leader of the gang. Although I do feel he should have better roles than this after 12 Years A Slave.

As a fan of Breaking Bad and The Walking Dead, I did feel disappointed that Aaron Paul and Norman Reedus did not appear more in the story. Woody Harrelson gave my favourite performance as he looked like he was having the most fun in his role and even managed to give us a couple of laughs.

I was also hoping to see Gal Gadot in action as her performance as Wonder Woman draws nearer, but she only has two lines in the whole damn thing.

I do think that the main problem stems from the fact that is no character development at all. Except maybe from Casey Affleck who, aside from Harrelson, is the only likable character in the film, and even then he is still bland and unmemorable.

It really doesn't help that almost all main characters could be considered villains for the crimes they commit, so it is difficult to become invested with the apparent stakes at hand.

You could be mistaken for thinking this a sequel, as there's no explanation given for why these detectives are involved in organised crime, and why they have any connection to the Russian mobsters. Several gangster movie cliches do appear, but I won't mention those as they are spoilers.

I'm not saying the movie is bad though. I never really felt bored, but I never felt truly invested as many scenes are forgettable and have been done better in other films.

There was one scene that was very well done though. This takes place as the police force, including Anthony Mackie's character who is part of the crime gang, aim to take out a suspect in the heist at the start of the flick through an apartment building. Without spoilers, the scene is great at building tension as each room is thoroughly searched through, while gunfire could come straight at the cops at any point.

Overall I'd say it's a decent crime movie that should have had more interesting characters and the runtime could be a little shorter too. If crime movies are your thing then you may enjoy it. If not, then this one's not for you as you won't remember it 24 hours after seeing it. Maybe rent it on Blu-Ray to give it a chance to see if it's for you.

Grade: C-