Chinatown

Play trailer

Chinatown

R

1974

2h 11m

Crime

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

98%

Tomatometer

144 Reviews

93%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

When Los Angeles private eye J.J. Jake Gittes (Jack Nicholson) is hired by Evelyn Mulwray to investigate her husband's activities, he believes it's a routine infidelity case. Jake's investigation soon becomes anything but routine when he meets the real Mrs. Mulwray (Faye Dunaway) and realizes he was hired by an imposter. Mr. Mulwray's sudden death sets Gittes on a tangled trail of corruption, deceit and sinister family secrets as Evelyn's father (John Huston) becomes a suspect in the case.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

As bruised and cynical as the decade that produced it, this noir classic benefits from Robert Towne's brilliant screenplay, director Roman Polanski's steady hand, and wonderful performances from Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway.

Read Critics Reviews

Adam Kempenaar

Filmspotting

07/12/2024

5/5

Among its myriad alluring – and lurid – contradictions, Chinatown is overtly stylish yet understated, depicting inveterate moral decay and corruption so matter-of-factly that Huston’s emphatic refusal to accept any blame... makes your skin crawl.

Go to Full Review

Charles Champlin

Los Angeles Times

03/08/2024

In its total recapturing of a past, in its plot, its vivid characterizations, its carefully calculated and accelerating pace, its whole demonstration of a medium mastered, Chinatown reminds you again that motion pictures are larger, not smaller than life.

Go to Full Review

Penelope Gilliatt

The New Yorker

03/08/2024

The film, set in the thirties, from a script by Robert Towne, is wickedly skillful, funny, and socially alert.

Go to Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Jul 12

4/4

...a progressively enthralling piece of work that admittedly takes its time in wholeheartedly grabbing the viewer’s attention...

Go to Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 2

4/4

An enduring masterpiece.

Go to Full Review

Morgan Shaunette

Willamette Week

08/12/2025

Feelings of pessimism, powerlessness and futility in the face of overwhelming odds lie at the film noir genre’s core. Chinatown boasts these in spades.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Jack

Sep 30

Greatest noir ever filmed

See more

Michael

Sep 30

51 years on still one of the most arresting American films ever made. Its a masterpiece.

See more

Will L

@Will05 Jul 16

Although I love noir and Chinatown is supposed to be the crown jewel of film noir, this wasn't my favorite. It's still an incredible movie and I'm sure there's something deep I'm missing.

See more

Michael R

@Michael2003 Jun 28

A beautiful film with a heartbreaking ending. The acting, direction, story, and mystery are all outstanding. The twist completely caught me off guard, and the ending is devastating. It's rare to see a film where the villain truly wins. Brilliant.

See more

Ed S

@jamesonbueno May 2

From beginning to end, a breathtakingly beautiful film.

See more

Ronnie M

@spuncake Mar 28

I can't say enough about Chinatown...Powerful cast and great script. Roman Polanski hit a homerun with this one.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Roman Polanski

Director

Jack Nicholson

J. J. (Jake) Gittes

Faye Dunaway

Evelyn Cross Mulwray

John Huston

Noah Cross

Perry Lopez

Lt. Lou Escobar

John Hillerman

Russ Yelburton

Chinatown: Official Clip - It's Chinatown

1:14

Chinatown: Official Clip - My Sister, My Daughter

2:12

Chinatown: Official Clip - A Respectable Man

2:12

Chinatown: Official Clip - Capable of Anything

1:23

Chinatown: Official Clip - Jake Likes His Nose

1:01

Chinatown: Official Clip - Nosy Fella

0:43

Chinatown: Official Clip - Evelyn's Last Stand

2:12

Chinatown: Official Clip - Find the Girl

1:53

Chinatown: Official Clip - Screwing Like a Chinaman

1:27

View more videos

Hustle

50%

46%

Hustle

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Hustle

The Godfather

97%

98%

The Godfather

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Godfather

The Godfather, Part II

96%

97%

The Godfather, Part II

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Godfather, Part II

Internal Affairs

79%

58%

Internal Affairs

Watchlist

The Untouchables

83%

89%

The Untouchables

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Untouchables

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Know Your Critic: Max Weiss, Editor-in-Chief at Baltimore Magazine

William H. Macy’s Five Favorite Films

Scoot McNairy’s Five Favorite Films

View more photos

Synopsis

When Los Angeles private eye J.J. Jake Gittes (Jack Nicholson) is hired by Evelyn Mulwray to investigate her husband's activities, he believes it's a routine infidelity case. Jake's investigation soon becomes anything but routine when he meets the real Mrs. Mulwray (Faye Dunaway) and realizes he was hired by an imposter. Mr. Mulwray's sudden death sets Gittes on a tangled trail of corruption, deceit and sinister family secrets as Evelyn's father (John Huston) becomes a suspect in the case.

Director: Roman Polanski
Producer: Robert Evans
Screenwriter: Robert Towne
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 20, 1974, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Runtime: 2h 11m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings