Burn After Reading
Directed by Ethan Coen, Joel CoenWhen a disc containing memoirs of a former CIA analyst falls into the hands of gym employees, Linda and Chad, they see a chance to make enough money for Linda to have life-changing cosmetic surgery. Predictably, events whirl out of control for the duo, and those in their orbit.
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Burn After Reading Ratings & Reviews
- EmApril 15, 2025Burn After Reading is a hilariously offbeat satire that deftly skewers American absurdity with its eccentric characters and razor-sharp wit. So don’t Burn after Watching.
- Michael Heimgartner5d agoChaos, Paranoia, and Perfect Idiocy: A Summer Night with Burn After Reading I finally got the chance to watch Burn After Reading during a special summer open-air screening by Lake Zurich, with the Alps in the background - honestly, one of the most stunning settings I’ve ever experienced for a film. This one had been on my list for quite a while, and I’m glad I caught it in such an atmospheric way. The film is sharp, darkly funny, and pure Coen Brothers through and through. From the very start, the story taps into the absurdity of bureaucratic paranoia. A disc containing the memoirs of a recently dismissed CIA analyst ends up in the hands of two dim-witted gym employees who mistake it for top-secret intelligence. What unfolds is a chaotic chain of events built entirely on misunderstanding, vanity, and stupidity - and it works brilliantly because the Coens treat even the dumbest characters with surprising nuance. The cast is loaded with talent, and almost everyone has their moment. John Malkovich is hilarious and completely unhinged as the ex-analyst, Brad Pitt is unforgettable as the energetic but clueless Chad, and George Clooney once again proves he thrives in offbeat comedic roles. I’ve always felt Clooney doesn’t get enough credit for how naturally funny he can be. Frances McDormand and Tilda Swinton add weight to the chaos with more grounded but equally eccentric characters. The chemistry between all of them is spot-on. What I really appreciated is the pacing. At just over 90 minutes, the film moves fast and doesn’t waste time. Not every gag hits, but the humor remains dry and biting throughout. It's one of those films that’s both silly and razor-sharp, managing to comment on government surveillance, personal ambition, and everyday stupidity all at once. There’s a sense of controlled madness in how the story escalates, and that’s something the Coens do better than almost anyone. Visually, the film is slick and polished - nothing overly flashy, but effective. The music, while subtle, complements the ironic tone. What makes Burn After Reading stand out is that it never tries too hard to be bigger than it is. It’s compact, self-aware, and doesn’t pretend to offer any deeper message beyond the fact that people are often the architects of their own chaos. It’s not the Coens’ best film, but it’s one of their most entertaining. If you enjoy dark, satirical comedies with a sharp script and top-tier performances, this one’s worth your time. It doesn’t try to change your life - it just wants you to sit back and watch the idiocy unfold. And sometimes, that’s exactly what I need.
- mickerdooJune 28, 2025AKA desperate idiots get themselves in a complete clusterfuck in the most hilarious way. Kudos Coens.
- RyezooFebruary 20, 2025This movie is simple hilarious from the opening moments all the way to the credits. The whole cast bring it, especially Brad Pitt. This is the funniest role I have ever seen him in. Maybe I loved this movie because I'm a cynical person but this dark comedy was firing on all cylinders. Every thing is connected so brilliantly, this is the Coen brothers that I love.
- CitizenFictionJune 16, 2025Such a fun movie about a bunch of things happening with no real direction for them to be happening. Just a lot of people doing a lot of things that happen to be connected. So much fun.
- GrimeFiVideoJune 9, 2025Absurd and hilarious
