The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)
Kernel Score: 79% · 2,718 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Drama, Western
Released: 2007-09-20
Runtime: 160 minutes
Is The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford worth watching?
Worth watching. A slow, hypnotic, beautifully shot Western about fame, envy and a murder that made a legend. Brad Pitt and especially Casey Affleck are excellent, though at 160 minutes it demands patience.
Watch it if you
- like slow, atmospheric Westerns
- enjoy character studies over shoot-outs
- appreciate gorgeous cinematography
Skip it if you
- want action
- dislike long, quiet, meditative films
Best for: Solo night in
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
Outlaw Jesse James is rumored to be the 'fastest gun in the West'. An eager recruit into James' notorious gang, Robert Ford eventually grows jealous of the famed outlaw and, when Robert and his brother sense an opportunity to kill James, their murderous action elevates their target to near mythical status.
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is an R-rated Western drama about betrayal and the killing of outlaw Jesse James.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — Centers on an outlaw gang, a robbery, and a murder plot against Jesse James, consistent with its R rating.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
If you liked The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Once Upon a Time in the West (1968) — 91%: Epic, slow-burn Western about legends and mortality.
- The Revenant (2015) — 84%: Visually stunning, brutal frontier story.
- Dead Man (1995) — 81%: A strange, poetic Western about a man and his destiny.
- Hell or High Water (2016) — 83%: Modern Western with outlaws, brothers and a melancholy tone.
- Bonnie and Clyde (1967) — 85%: Outlaws in the myth-making days of American crime.
- Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) — 86%: Another story of famous outlaws and their last days.
Director
Andrew Dominik
Cast
- Brad Pitt as Jesse James
- Casey Affleck as Robert Ford
- Sam Rockwell as Charley Ford
- Paul Schneider as Dick Liddil
- Jeremy Renner as Wood Hite
- Garret Dillahunt as Ed Miller
- Sam Shepard as Frank James
- Mary-Louise Parker as Zee James
- Zooey Deschanel as Dorothy Evans
- Ted Levine as Sheriff Timberlake
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford FAQ
Is The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford worth watching?
Worth watching. A slow, hypnotic, beautifully shot Western about fame, envy and a murder that made a legend. Brad Pitt and especially Casey Affleck are excellent, though at 160 minutes it demands patience.
Where can I watch The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford?
In the US you can rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford OK for kids?
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is an R-rated Western drama about betrayal and the killing of outlaw Jesse James.
What movies are like The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford?
If you liked The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, try Once Upon a Time in the West, The Revenant, Dead Man and Hell or High Water.