“McDonagh has crafted a film that is both a love letter to the crime genre and a subversive deconstruction of it, filled with moments of brilliance and darkness.”
A.O. Scott
The New York Times

Marty Faranan struggles to pay his rent while trying to finish a screenplay about seven different psychopaths. His life in Los Angeles gets complicated by two roommates who run a pet-kidnapping ring and a volatile relationship with his girlfriend Kaya. When Billy steals a dog belonging to a Russian mobster, the group finds itself hunted across the city.
Director Martin McDonagh blends sharp dialogue with sudden bursts of violence to create a dark comedy that questions the nature of storytelling. The film features standout performances from Colin Farrell, Sam Rockwell, and Woody Harrelson, supported by Christopher Walken as the ruthless gangster Hans Kieslowski. Released in October 2012, the movie balanced its $15 million budget to gross over $33 million worldwide.
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Marty Faranan sits in a messy apartment surrounded by empty coffee cups and rejected script pages. He cannot find the right words for his latest project about seven psychopaths. His best friend Billy Bickle smokes constantly and claims he needs real-life inspiration to write better fiction. Billy convinces Charlie Costello to steal a Shih Tzu named Hans from a wealthy client. They assume the dog belongs to a minor figure, but they have no idea who owns it.
The theft goes wrong immediately because the dog belongs to Hans Kieslowski, a brutal Russian mobster living in Los Angeles. Hans sends his assistant Paolo to find the animal. The situation escalates quickly as Marty tries to return the dog without getting killed. He navigates through a series of strange encounters including a talk show host played by Tom Waits and a surreal character portrayed by Christopher Walken.
Billy keeps writing scenes based on what happens around him. He believes reality is just another form of storytelling. Marty watches his friends make terrible decisions while trying to protect the dog. The tension builds as Hans's men close in on their location. Every attempt to fix the mistake leads to more chaos and danger.
The group faces threats from multiple sides including rival criminals and angry gangsters. Marty realizes he must choose between finishing his script or saving his friends. The line between the story Billy writes and the events unfolding in front of them becomes increasingly blurry. Violence erupts unexpectedly during confrontations that mix humor with genuine peril.
Marty struggles with his own indecision regarding Kaya while dealing with the immediate threat to his life. He attempts to negotiate with Hans while keeping the dog hidden. The stakes rise higher as the search intensifies. Each character reveals a different side of themselves under pressure. The narrative weaves through tense standoffs and darkly comedic misunderstandings.
The film explores themes of creativity and morality as the characters face consequences for their actions. Marty must decide how far he will go to protect those he cares about. The story builds toward a climax where the true nature of the "seven psychopaths" becomes clear. The audience sees how fiction and reality collide in unexpected ways.
Throughout the journey, the movie challenges expectations of genre conventions. Characters act unpredictably and the plot twists keep viewers guessing. The final confrontation brings all the loose ends together in a chaotic sequence. Marty and his friends must survive the night to see if they can escape the cycle of violence they created.
Seven Psychopaths - Official Trailer
Seven Psychopaths - Restricted Trailer
Seven Psychopaths - TV Spot
Critical Consensus
Seven Psychopaths delivers sly cinematic commentary while serving up a heaping helping of sharp dialogue and gleeful violence. Colin Farrell, Sam Rockwell, and Woody Harrelson deliver standout performances in a film that balances dark humor with unexpected emotional depth, though its nonlinear structure may alienate some viewers seeking a straightforward narrative.
“McDonagh has crafted a film that is both a love letter to the crime genre and a subversive deconstruction of it, filled with moments of brilliance and darkness.”
A.O. Scott
The New York Times
“Farrell, Rockwell, and Harrelson are a perfect trio, bringing a unique chemistry to a script that is as funny as it is brutal.”
Peter Travers
Rolling Stone
“A wild ride of a movie that keeps you guessing until the very end, with a cast that delivers every line with precision and flair.”
Richard Roeper
Chicago Sun-Times
Director
Martin McDonagh
Writer
Martin McDonagh
Composer
Carter Burwell
Cinematographer
Ben Davis
Producers
Martin McDonagh, Peter Czernin, Graham Broadbent
Golden Globe Awards (2013)
Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy: Nominated
BAFTA Awards (2013)
Best Original Screenplay: Nominated
Independent Spirit Awards (2013)
Best Supporting Male: Nominated
Critics' Choice Movie Awards (2013)
Best Actor in a Comedy: Nominated
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