A Gun in the House

  • 1981
  • Not Rated
  • 100m
movieMx RATING
6.3/103
VERDICT
ABOVE AVERAGE
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Performance & Direction: A Gun in the House Review

Last updated: February 5, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: February 5, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is A Gun in the House (1981) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.3/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Crime.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Crime is often anchored by its ensemble, and A Gun in the House features a noteworthy lineup led by Sally Struthers . Supported by the likes of David Ackroyd and Dick Anthony Williams , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.

Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.

💡 Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?

In summary, our editorial assessment of A Gun in the House (1981) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.3/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Result: ABOVE AVERAGE
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, A Gun in the House stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE.

Story & Plot Summary: A Gun in the House

Quick Plot Summary: A Gun in the House is a Crime, Thriller, Drama, TV Movie film that dives into the criminal underworld with a grounded sense of realism and complex morality. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.

Ending Explained: A Gun in the House

Ending Breakdown: A Gun in the House concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to crime resolution.

The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.

Ending Analysis:

  • Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
  • Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
  • Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the crime themes established throughout the runtime.

The final moments of A Gun in the House reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

A Gun in the House Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?

A Gun in the House incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a crime, thriller, drama, tv movie film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.

Historical Context

The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.

Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.

Accuracy Assessment: A Gun in the House adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.

Who Should Watch A Gun in the House?

Worth Watching If You:

  • Enjoy Crime films and don't mind familiar tropes
  • Are a fan of the cast or director
  • Want solid genre entertainment
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Top Cast: A Gun in the House

All Cast & Crew →
Sally Struthers
Sally StruthersEmily Cates
David Ackroyd
David AckroydJoe Cates
Dick Anthony Williams
Dick Anthony WilliamsDet. Frank Campbell
Joel Bailey
Joel BaileyMatt Grine
Frank Koppala
Frank KoppalaHenry Galsworthy
Jeffrey Tambor
Jeffrey TamborLance Kessler
Allan Rich
Allan RichRoy Grutman
Belita Moreno
Belita MorenoMarcie Clark
Melissa Francis
Melissa FrancisDiana Cates
Valorie Armstrong
Valorie ArmstrongPhyllis Thatcher
Max Showalter
Max ShowalterPeter Schechter
Gary Wood
Gary WoodTompall Shockley
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Where to Watch A Gun in the House Online?

Streaming Hub

🎟️ Rent on

Amazon VideoAmazon Video

🏷️ Buy on

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A Gun in the House Parents Guide & Age Rating

1981 Advisory
Not Rated

Official Age Rating

Wondering about A Gun in the House age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

A Gun in the House has not been officially rated yet. Based on its genres (Crime, Thriller, Drama, TV Movie), it contains mature themes, violence.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of A Gun in the House is 100 minutes (1h 40m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.3/10, and global performance metrics, A Gun in the House is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1981 cinematic calendar.

ABOVE AVERAGE
Official movieMx status for A Gun in the House. Rating: 6.3/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is A Gun in the House worth watching?

A Gun in the House is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Crime movies. It has a verified rating of 6.3/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.

Where can I find A Gun in the House parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for A Gun in the House identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of A Gun in the House?

The total duration of A Gun in the House is 100 minutes, which is approximately 1h 40m long.

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How A Gun in the House Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for A Gun in the House

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movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 6.3
A Gun in the House
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