Inside Man (2006)
Kernel Score: 82% · 6,240 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Released: 2006-03-17
Runtime: 129 minutes
Is Inside Man worth watching?
Worth watching. A bank robbery turns into a battle of wits between a negotiator and a thief who seems to know more than he should. It's smart, confident and well acted, with a twist that's more clever than shocking.
Watch it if you
- like heist thrillers built on clever planning
- enjoy a cat-and-mouse battle of wits
- want strong performances from Washington, Owen and Foster
Skip it if you
- want constant action
- dislike a plot that slowly reveals itself
Best for: Tense night in
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Inside Man
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
When an armed, masked gang enter a Manhattan bank, lock the doors and take hostages, the detective assigned to effect their release enters negotiations preoccupied with corruption charges he is facing.
Inside Man parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that Inside Man is an R-rated crime thriller about a tense bank heist and hostage standoff in Manhattan.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — A tense hostage situation and bank robbery involve threatened violence, though the film is more cerebral than graphic.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Inside Man
If you liked Inside Man, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Dog Day Afternoon (1975) — 89%: The classic bank-siege crime drama
- Heat (1995) — 89%: Cops and thieves matched in a serious, tense crime story
- The Usual Suspects (1995) — 91%: Clever crime story built on misdirection
- The Town (2010) — 83%: Bank-robbery crew story with real tension
- The Departed (2006) — 96%: Twisty crime thriller with smart cat-and-mouse
- Do the Right Thing (1989) — 89%: Spike Lee's other sharp New York film
Director
Cast
- Denzel Washington as Keith Frazier
- Clive Owen as Dalton Russell
- Jodie Foster as Madeleine White
- Christopher Plummer as Arthur Case
- Willem Dafoe as John Darius
- Chiwetel Ejiofor as Bill Mitchell
- Carlos Andrés Gómez as Steve
- Kim Director as Stevie
- James Ransone as Steve-O
- Bernie Rachelle as Chaim
Inside Man FAQ
Is Inside Man worth watching?
Worth watching. A bank robbery turns into a battle of wits between a negotiator and a thief who seems to know more than he should. It's smart, confident and well acted, with a twist that's more clever than shocking.
Where can I watch Inside Man?
In the US you can rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Inside Man OK for kids?
Inside Man is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Inside Man is an R-rated crime thriller about a tense bank heist and hostage standoff in Manhattan.
What movies are like Inside Man?
If you liked Inside Man, try Dog Day Afternoon, Heat, The Usual Suspects and The Town.