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25th Hour

Play trailer Poster for 25th Hour R 2003 2h 14m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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79% Tomatometer 175 Reviews 85% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
In New York City in the days following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Monty Brogan (Edward Norton) steels himself for a lengthy jail term. Brogan is a convicted drug dealer about to start a seven-year prison sentence, and his final hours of freedom are devoted to hanging out with his closest buddies (Philip Seymour Hoffman, Barry Pepper) and trying to prepare his girlfriend, Naturelle Riviera (Rosario Dawson), for his extended absence.

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25th Hour

25th Hour

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Critics Consensus

An intelligent and well-acted film despite the usual Spike Lee excesses.

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Critics Reviews

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Joshua Rothkopf In These Times 03/16/2020
Spike Lee's latest-his 20th feature including TV work-is at long last the raging masterpiece many have suspected him capable of. 25th Hour eclipses everything he's done before, including Do the Right Thing... Go to Full Review Barbara Ellen The Times (UK) 01/03/2018
It's an odd movie, maybe odder than it should have been if this is Lee's attempt to make a more widely accessible, less issue-based movie. Go to Full Review Candice Frederick Reel Talk Online 09/12/2017
A
If you're in any way a Spike Lee fan, check this out. Go to Full Review Fico Cangiano CineXpress Podcast 03/28/2025
4/5
Spike Lee's most un-Spike Lee film, results in a powerful and profound (post-9/11) story. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Dave Giannini Loud and Clear Reviews 09/19/2024
4.5/5
25th Hour doesn’t give you an easy answer, because there are none. [...] Pressure can make us heroes or cowards, criminals or saints, traitors or loyal partners. The choice is only up to us. Go to Full Review Diana Tuova Spotlight on Film 08/09/2024
4.5/5
What would have been a simple story with meandering dialogues is strangely transformed into something special and profound, largely due to some interesting directional choices, powerful imagery, Norton’s commitment, and...a beautiful score. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Carlton S @seadweller Feb 22 My initial take was Meh. I slept on it and decided the movie was a complete waste of my time. I like Spike Lee for making Do The Right Thing. I say that knowing he and I have opposite worldviews while acknowledging he made a movie that will endure. Alternatively, 25th Hour is slow, built on a very simple and pointless premise that is not developed to accomplish anything memorable, interesting, classic or realistic. There is one rant in the mirror that was well done but it completely lacks context other than Ed Norton's character admitting all of his mistakes are his own doing and not everyone elses fault. OK. But the movie stunk. Two scenes with the DEA lead...his acting was terrific. PSHoffman...yeah, great actor but any new comer would have worked. The role was like the movie: boring and dull. Pepper was the only character who was at least consistent and real albeit an absolute empty loser. Just a way, way, way over rated movie. See more William R. @MileHighMilk Jan 27 Great acting, engaging storyline. The bathroom mirror scene is phenomenal. See more Ronnie M @spuncake Oct 19 Well worth the watch .....good acting See more Michael D @RT58591283 Aug 9 I thought it was absolutely rubbish, honestly. It’s hard to empathise with any of the characters or their relationships. Surprised at the RT & IMDb ratings. Comparing to films of that era, like Lock Stock, this hasn’t aged well. I don’t know why it was made. See more Horror fan 4 @Horrorfan4life Jul 8 A well made movie with Spike behind the camera. Tim Treakle See more Alan L. @alanloyola Jul 8 Edward Norton is Superb! See more Read all reviews
25th Hour

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Cast & Crew

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Spike Lee

Director

Edward Norton

Monty Brogan

Philip Seymour Hoffman

Jacob Elinsky

Barry Pepper

Francis Xavier Slaughtery

Rosario Dawson

Naturelle Riviera

Anna Paquin

Mary D'Annuzio

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25th Hour

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Movie Info

Synopsis In New York City in the days following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Monty Brogan (Edward Norton) steels himself for a lengthy jail term. Brogan is a convicted drug dealer about to start a seven-year prison sentence, and his final hours of freedom are devoted to hanging out with his closest buddies (Philip Seymour Hoffman, Barry Pepper) and trying to prepare his girlfriend, Naturelle Riviera (Rosario Dawson), for his extended absence.
Director
Spike Lee
Producer
Jon Kilik, Tobey Maguire, Julia Chasman
Screenwriter
David Benioff, David Benioff
Distributor
Touchstone Pictures
Production Co
Gamut Films, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, Industry Entertainment
Rating
R (Strong Language|Some Violence)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 10, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$13.1M
Runtime
2h 14m
Sound Mix
Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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