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Burn After Reading

Play trailer Poster for Burn After Reading R 2008 1h 35m Comedy Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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78% Tomatometer 241 Reviews 65% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
When a disc containing memoirs of a former CIA analyst (John Malkovich) falls into the hands of Linda Litzke (Frances McDormand) and Chad Feldheimer (Brad Pitt), the two gym employees see a chance to make enough money for her to have life-changing cosmetic surgery. Predictably, events whirl out of control for the duo of doofuses and those in their orbit.
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Burn After Reading

Burn After Reading

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Critics Consensus

With Burn After Reading, the Coen Brothers have crafted another clever comedy/thriller with an outlandish plot and memorable characters.

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Critics Reviews

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Shubhra Gupta The Indian Express Apr 29, 2019
Burn After Reading is a comedy that makes fun of almost everything, reminding you that almost none of it is laughing matter. Go to Full Review Deborah Ross The Spectator Aug 23, 2018
Although there are a couple of vaguely amusing moments, it fails as a comedy because it just isn't funny, and it fails as a thriller because it just isn't suspenseful and it fails as entertainment of any kind because it is all so ludicrously improbable. Go to Full Review Steven D. Greydanus Decent Films Oct 29, 2008
C+
It's morbidly absurdist, thoroughly pointless, and can certainly be funny at times. Go to Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Sep 5, 2023
3.5/4
In setting up a spy thriller that, given the idiocy of its characters, just-so-happens to proceed like a comedy, the Coens’ best humorist qualities emerge after years of slumber, now well-rested and ready to play. Go to Full Review James Croot The Post NZ Apr 28, 2021
4/5
The Coen Brothers [return] to their comedic-crime roots... with engaging and ebullient results. Go to Full Review Richard Crouse Richard Crouse Jan 31, 2021
2.5/5
I know I am about to commit film critic heresy, but I found the film's overly clever story left me cold. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Fran T @RT25042779 Sep 3, 2026 I rate this film frantastic! This could have been a three-star movie, but the gratuitous sexual device built by George Clooney's character and the two completely unnecessary uses of the blasphemous phrase "Jesus F***** Christ" which elevated it for me. It's frantastic that the Coen brothers would use the name of Jesus Christ in such a gratuitous and disrespectful way. If they truly understood who they were dealing with, perhaps they would do it more. For those reasons, I can't recommend this movie highly enough. In my opinion, what could have been just an entertaining film was lifted by inventive sexual content and hilarious blasphemy. I'd say go check out this masterpiece and genius. See more John V @RT67154737 Aug 11, 2026 This could have been a three-star movie, but the gratuitous sexual device built by George Clooney's character and the two completely unnecessary uses of the blasphemous phrase "Jesus F***** Christ" ruined it for me. It's unfortunate that the Coen brothers would use the name of Jesus Christ in such a gratuitous and disrespectful way. If they truly understood who they were dealing with, perhaps they would think differently. For those reasons, I can't recommend this movie. In my opinion, what could have been an entertaining film was unnecessarily dragged down by tasteless sexual content and offensive blasphemy. I'd say stay away from this piece of filth and garbage. See more Steve O @olshewsky Aug 10, 2026 superb acting & interesting character development - plot was tight but leaned on unlikely entanglements with enough odd twists. See more Ryan D @ryandizz Jul 29, 2026 Pretty entertaining and a good story See more Landon J @Minxsykitty Jul 29, 2026 Just alright. Some strong moments, but ends far too suddenly. Malkovitch is really the meat and potatoes here. See more Sean C @SeanMCollinsRMN May 31, 2026 Fun and very much in the Coen brothers style. See more Read all reviews
Burn After Reading

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Cast & Crew

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Joel Coen

Director

Ethan Coen

Director

George Clooney

Harry Pfarrer

Frances McDormand

Linda Litzke

John Malkovich

Osborne Cox

Tilda Swinton

Katie Cox

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Burn After Reading

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Burn After Reading

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Movie Info

Synopsis When a disc containing memoirs of a former CIA analyst (John Malkovich) falls into the hands of Linda Litzke (Frances McDormand) and Chad Feldheimer (Brad Pitt), the two gym employees see a chance to make enough money for her to have life-changing cosmetic surgery. Predictably, events whirl out of control for the duo of doofuses and those in their orbit.
Director
Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Producer
Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Screenwriter
Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Distributor
Focus Features
Production Co
Relativity Media, StudioCanal, Working Title Films, Focus Features
Rating
R (Some Sexual Content|Pervasive Language|Violence)
Genre
Comedy, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 12, 2008, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 1, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$60.3M
Runtime
1h 35m
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