Joe (2014)
80%RT Audience Score: 68%
Awards & Nominations: 2 wins & 3 nominations
Rich in atmosphere and anchored by a powerful performance from Nicolas Cage, Joe is a satisfying return to form for its star — as well as director David Gordon Green
Joe is a movie that will make you feel like you’re in the middle of a Texas summer, sweating and swatting away flies. Nicolas Cage gives a performance that’s both restrained and explosive, and the film’s naturalistic style makes you feel like you’re watching real people in a real place. It’s not a feel-good movie, but it’s a movie that will make you feel something. And if you’re a fan of His Cageness, you won’t be disappointed. Just make sure you have a cold drink and a fan nearby.
Production Company(ies)
New Line Cinema, Zupnik Cinema Group II GGR
Distributor
Roadside Attractions
Release Type
Streaming, Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for drug use, language and some sexual content
Year of Release
2015
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:2.35 : 1
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Runtime:1h 57m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Apr 11, 2014 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 17, 2014
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Nicolas Cage, Tye Sheridan, Gary Poulter, Ronnie Gene Blevins, Sue Rock, Adriene Mishler, directed by David Gordon Green, written by Gary Hawkins, drama, R rating, Lisa Muskat, David Gordon Green, Christopher Woodrow, Derrick Tseng, box office gross $371.9K, reviewed by Jason Bailey, Mark Kermode, Ryan Gilbey, Tara Brady, Charlotte O’Sullivan, Geoffrey Macnab, Kip Mooney, Dan Brightmore, Richard Crouse, John Bleasdale, Paula Fleri-Soler, abuse, father-son relationship, lumber crew, ex-con, protective, intense, powerful performance, southern drama, gritty, emotional, haunting, intense, coming of age, dark, slow-moving, naturalism, Malick-style lyricism, brutal, bleak, tender-hearted, soundtrack, electronic pulse, winter’s bone, abused young boy, dangerous father, outstanding acting, Shakespearean level terrifying, southern, gripping, deeply moving, knockout, unforgettable, must-see, impressive, brilliant, riveting, horror, thriller, action, adventure, comedy, romance, sci-fi, fantasy, animation, musical, crime, mystery, western, war, documentary, independent, limited release, streaming, rent/buy
Worldwide gross: $54,051
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $67,470
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 3,063
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 7,358
US/Canada gross: $54,051
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $67,470
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,717
US/Canada opening weekend: $5,278
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $6,588
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,776
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Tye Sheridan – Gary
Gary Poulter – Wade aka G-Daawg
Ronnie Gene Blevins – Willie-Russell
Sue Rock – Merle
Adriene Mishler – Connie
Director(s)
David Gordon Green
Writer(s)
Gary Hawkins
Producer(s)
Lisa Muskat, David Gordon Green, Christopher Woodrow, Derrick Tseng
Film Festivals
South by Southwest, Venice, Toronto
Awards & Nominations
2 wins & 3 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (135) | Top Critics (54) | Fresh (116) | Rotten (19)
The way director David Gordon Green uses Cage, and the way the actor modulates the performance, seems a quiet commentary on who he’s become onscreen, and how to draw upon it.
June 18, 2016
Jason Bailey
Flavorwire
TOP CRITIC
Generally as raw as the steaks that Cage manfully cuts from the carcass of an impaled deer, the high whiff of which seeps through every frame of the film.
July 27, 2014 | Rating: 3/5
Mark Kermode
Observer (UK)
TOP CRITIC
There is a pleasing synchronicity between Joe’s attempts to stem his temper and the effort made by Cage to keep his own actorly excesses in check.
July 25, 2014
Ryan Gilbey
Sight & Sound
TOP CRITIC
Bearded redneck turns out to be a good look for Cage, who puts in his best screen performance since Werner Herzog’sBad Lieutenant
July 25, 2014 | Rating: 4/5
Tara Brady
Irish Times
TOP CRITIC
With a bolder script, Joe could have been a Texan masterpiece to rank alongside Badlands.
July 25, 2014 | Rating: 3/5
Charlotte O’Sullivan
London Evening Standard
TOP CRITIC
Green specialises in a soulful naturalism, and Joe contrasts moments of Malick-style lyricism with scenes of extreme brutality.
July 24, 2014 | Rating: 4/5
Geoffrey Macnab
Independent (UK)
TOP CRITIC
A story with some power, humor and heart.
September 9, 2021 | Rating: B
Kip Mooney
College Movie Review
Green avoids the cliché…opting instead for a soundtrack fused with an electronic pulse.
May 25, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Dan Brightmore
NME
It’s bleak, with little relief from scene to scene, but is a happy medium for Green, melding his indie work with his Hollywood films in an interesting and satisfying way.
February 1, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Richard Crouse
Richard Crouse
With an air of an old Jim Thompson novel, Joe is a grungy thriller with a surprisingly tender heart.
April 3, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
John Bleasdale
CineVue
A story of genuine emotions.
March 5, 2019
Paula Fleri-Soler
Times of Malta
Funny, poignant and bleak, often all at the same time, any true fan of His Cageness should certainly give it a watch.
November 2, 2018 | Rating: 8/10
Jennifer Heaton
Alternative Lens…
Plot
Joe, a rough boss of a lumber crew, risks trouble when he defends the youngest member of his team from an abusive father, in this drama anchored by a powerful performance from Nicolas Cage.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The late Gary Poulter, who played the abusive father in the film, was actually a homeless man discovered and cast by the director.
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