What Doesn't Kill You

Name: What Doesn't Kill You
Genre: Drama, Crime
Released: December 12, 2008
Duration: 100 min
Rating: 71
Cast: Brian Goodman, Ethan Hawke, Mark Ruffalo

2008

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 10 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 15 Ratings

See All

5.5

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

5.5	Your Score
5.5	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 15 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

What Doesn't Kill You

Now Playing: What Doesn't Kill You

Movie Details & Credits

Yari Film Group Releasing | Release Date: December 12, 2008 | R

Starring: Brian Goodman, Ethan Hawke, Mark Ruffalo

Summary: Brian and Paulie are friends who grew up like brothers on the gritty streets of south Boston. They do whatever it takes to survive, living by the code of their dog-eat-dog neighborhood. Petty crimes and misdemeanors grow into more serious offenses and eventually, they fall under sway to organized crime boss Pat Kelly. As Brian becomesBrian and Paulie are friends who grew up like brothers on the gritty streets of south Boston. They do whatever it takes to survive, living by the code of their dog-eat-dog neighborhood. Petty crimes and misdemeanors grow into more serious offenses and eventually, they fall under sway to organized crime boss Pat Kelly. As Brian becomes increasingly lost in a haze of drugs and ‘jobs,’ even the love he has for his wife and his children does not seem like it will be enough to redeem him. Meanwhile, Paulie plans “one last heist” but knows it will take both of them to pull it off. How can they escape the only life they know? (Yari Film Group)… Expand

Director: Brian Goodman

Genre(s): Drama, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 100 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Stream On

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Peter Brunette

With Mark Ruffalo and Ethan Hawke registering personal bests in the performance category as well as playing magnificently and ultraconvincingly off each other, What Doesn't Kill You, a true story that is powerful and completely riveting from beginning to end. Read full review

Peter Rainer

The overfamiliarity of What Doesn't Kill You is redeemed by a full-scale performance from Mark Ruffalo. Read full review

Lisa Schwarzbaum

A tough, authentic street drama born, bred, and shot in the no-spin zone of working-class South Boston. Read full review

Noel Murray

Goodman doesn't allow even a hint of postmodernism or self-consciousness to creep into What Doesn't Kill You, and though the movie's various heists and shootouts are gripping, they aren't especially kinetic or stylish. Read full review

Sam Adams

Ruffalo's feral vulnerability gives the familiar form a jolt. Read full review

Scott Mendelson

It is worth seeking out for a brutally honest, achingly realistic, and emotionally compelling look at the other side of petty crime – the slow, painful path to legitimacy. Read full review

Nicolas Rapold

Goodman's movie tends to limp along. Read full review

SEE ALL 10 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

bobs

Sep 13, 2009

More like an 8, but gotta try to skew that dopey user rating - makes us all look bad. This was a fine film - can't wait for Goodman's next.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

JayH

Apr 26, 2009

Powerful but very heavy, exceptionally well acted, gritty, realistic and believable. Fine cinematography, good direction. Good job overall. The characters are well defined.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Tss5078

Feb 22, 2013

This was a pretty intense movie, but it felt as though as I watching it in fast forward. What Doesn't Kill You is the story of two brothers, who grow up in poverty and whom turned to organized crime to survive. For fifteen years, they did what they were told, but with the boss on his way toThis was a pretty intense movie, but it felt as though as I watching it in fast forward. What Doesn't Kill You is the story of two brothers, who grow up in poverty and whom turned to organized crime to survive. For fifteen years, they did what they were told, but with the boss on his way to prison, they decide to go off on their own. Admittedly, it's a tremendous story that follows the paths of these brothers over the course of the next few years, the problem was that in this movie, years translate into about 10 minute intervals. Instead of giving us a complete and accurate portrayal, the director decided to cut the story into small fragments, usually no longer than a minute or two. Something is said, something happens, and then were on to another something, when? where? who knows!? The movie moved so fast and was so choppy, that it left my head spinning. Despite the confusion, it was pretty entertaining and Mark Ruffalo gives an unbelievable performance. Here's another example of a guy I've seen around, never thought much of, who randomly shows up in a B-movie and just makes the whole film worth watching. If you're able to keep up, and this movie doesn't confuse you into an absolute stupor, it's not bad. The story is solid, the cast is good, and it has it's moments, but again only if you can get passed the ridiculous pace the director has decided to set for us.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

DawdlingPoet

Nov 28, 2021

This film has a good cast and a semi decent plot but it was just so depressing. There are many similar films, with similar plots and its not especially memorable, I'd say. Mark Ruffalo and Ethan Hawke do alright, certainly not bad - their performances seemed pretty solid, just I didn't thinkThis film has a good cast and a semi decent plot but it was just so depressing. There are many similar films, with similar plots and its not especially memorable, I'd say. Mark Ruffalo and Ethan Hawke do alright, certainly not bad - their performances seemed pretty solid, just I didn't think it was any better than ok frankly. The action sequences aren't particularly great - not bad either. This is very much an ok film. I wouldn't go out of your way to see this as such, no.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SEE ALL 4 REVIEWS