Small Town Crime

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2:21

Small Town Crime

R

2018

1h 31m

Crime

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

82%

Tomatometer

38 Reviews

70%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

When alcoholic ex-cop Mike Kendall finds the body of a young woman, he becomes obsessed with redeeming himself by finding the killer. In the process, he puts himself and his family in danger while hanging out with an assortment of shady characters.

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Critics Consensus

Small Town Crime makes for a satisfying modern noir outing, largely thanks to the all-around impressive efforts of a solidly stocked cast led by John Hawkes.

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J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

Mar 10, 2020

The movie was written and directed by brothers Ian and Eshom Nelms, who must have thumbed through a few Elmore Leonard paperbacks in their day; their movie offers a similar mix of cagey plotting, easygoing character comedy, and punchy violence.

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Glenn Kenny

RogerEbert.com

Jan 20, 2018

2.5/4

The movie's tone never quite gels; it's too outlandish and cartoony to convince, but not so outlandish and cartoony that it takes off into a realm of over-the-top exhilaration.

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Adam Graham

Detroit News

Jan 19, 2018

B-

There are enough nice touches and details along the way - including Clifton Collins Jr. as an old school R&B-loving pimp - to make up for its shortcomings.

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Patrick Cavanaugh

The Wolfman Cometh

May 12, 2023

3/5

If you’re a fan of The Long Goodbye but wish everything about it was broader and more bland, then Small Town Crime surely is for you!

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Brian Costello

Common Sense Media

Jun 2, 2021

4/5

It's the kind of movie that pays heed to the conventions of noir stories while still carving out a space all its own.

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Tori Brazier

One Room With A View

Mar 25, 2021

5/5

A judicious balance between humour and the deadly narrative propelling the film forward ... ensures that the comedy never cheapens or undermines the storyline's impact.

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Jack F

@MovieFan111 Nov 17, 2025

It was ok. Only saw it once. Cool ass car though. Jealous.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Aug 31, 2025

Success in 1 hour and 31 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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dave e

@caseyeisenman Apr 2, 2024

I came across this film just going through what movies were playing and I recorded this one, and enjoyed it very much. The acting was good, the plot was real and I had a great time watching it. Not for children, and some bloody police action!

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Alec C

@RT70643905 Mar 1, 2024

In this small town, crime can happen in the least likely of situations! As an ex-cop attempts to redeem himself by investigating the body of a murdered prostitute, only to get himself and his loved ones into some mortal danger. Darkly comedic while still staying grounded, this underrated crime drama manages to leave its mark on those who get to watch it!

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Lee R

@RT26760281 Feb 25, 2024

Hawkes, one of my favorite character actors. Love seeing him in a lead role here. He crushes it!

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steve d

@RT35616104 Dec 11, 2022

Should have been so much better with this cast.

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Ian Nelms

Director

Eshom Nelms

Director

John Hawkes

Mike Kendall

Anthony Anderson

Actor

Octavia Spencer

Kelly Banks

Robert Forster

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Small Town Crime: Trailer 1

2:21

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Synopsis

When alcoholic ex-cop Mike Kendall finds the body of a young woman, he becomes obsessed with redeeming himself by finding the killer. In the process, he puts himself and his family in danger while hanging out with an assortment of shady characters.

Director: Ian Nelms, Eshom Nelms
Producer: Parisa Caviani, John J. Kelly, Brad Johnson
Screenwriter: Ian Nelms, Eshom Nelms
Distributor: Saban Films
Production Co: 6 Foot Films
Rating: R (Language|Strong Violence|Some Sexual References)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 19, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 19, 2018
Runtime: 1h 31m

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