Is Kill the Irishman Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, Kill the Irishman is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Action movies.
It features a runtime of 106 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to mature audiences.
Kill the Irishman Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 2011, Kill the Irishman emerges as a significant entry in the Action, Crime, Thriller, Drama domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of Over the summer of 1976, thirty-six bombs detonate in the heart of Cleveland while a turf war raged between Irish mobster Danny Greene and the Italian mafia. Unlike standard genre fare, Kill the Irishman attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Action is often anchored by its ensemble, and Kill the Irishman features a noteworthy lineup led by Ray Stevenson . Supported by the likes of Vincent D'Onofrio and Val Kilmer , 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 Kill the Irishman (2011) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.8/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Kill the Irishman Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Kill the Irishman is a Action, Crime, Thriller, Drama film that delivers high-octane sequences and adrenaline-pumping confrontations that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The narrative structure follows a classic action blueprint: establish the protagonist's world, introduce a formidable antagonist, and escalate the stakes through increasingly intense confrontations. Over the summer of 1976, thirty-six bombs detonate in the heart of Cleveland while a turf war raged between Irish mobster Danny Greene and the Italian mafia. Based on a true story, Kill the Irishman chronicles Greene's heroic rise from a tough Cleveland neighborhood to become an enforcer in the local mob. The film balances spectacular set pieces with character moments, ensuring the action serves the story rather than overwhelming it.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The film opens with an explosive sequence that immediately establishes the stakes and introduces our protagonist in action.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The final confrontation delivers on the buildup, with stakes at their highest and the protagonist using everything they've learned.
Kill the Irishman Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: Kill the Irishman concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to action 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 action themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Kill the Irishman reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Kill the Irishman Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Kill the Irishman incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a action, crime, thriller, drama 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: Kill the Irishman adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch Kill the Irishman?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Action films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want an adrenaline rush without demanding perfection
Kill the Irishman Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Worldwide Gross | $1.2M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
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Full Cast & Crew of Kill the Irishman
- Ray Stevenson – Danny Greene
- Vincent D'Onofrio – John Nardi
- Val Kilmer – Joe Manditski
- Christopher Walken – Shondor Birns
- Linda Cardellini – Joan Madigan
Top Highlights
Ray StevensonDanny Greene
Vincent D'OnofrioJohn Nardi
Val KilmerJoe Manditski
Christopher WalkenShondor Birns
Linda CardelliniJoan Madigan
Tony DarrowMikey Mendarolo
Robert DaviRay Ferritto
Fionnula FlanaganGrace O'Keefe
Bob GuntonJerry Merke
Jason Butler HarnerArt Sneperger
Where to Watch Kill the Irishman Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Starz Apple TV Channel🎟️ Rent on
Google Play Movies
YouTube🏷️ Buy on
Google Play MoviesYouTubeParents Guide & Age Rating
Kill the Irishman is rated R. Parents should be aware that it contains violence, action sequences, mature themes. It is intended for mature audiences only.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.8/10, and global collection metrics, Kill the Irishman stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2011 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kill the Irishman movie hit or flop?
Kill the Irishman has received mixed reviews with a 6.8/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Kill the Irishman worth watching?
Kill the Irishman is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Action, Crime, Thriller movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch Kill the Irishman online?
Kill the Irishman is currently available for streaming on Starz Apple TV Channel. You can also check for it on platforms like Starz Apple TV Channel depending on your region.
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Critic Reviews for Kill the Irishman
This is the story of the irishman, Danny Greene (Ray Stevenson), a corrupt union man, who ended up as sort of a Robin Hood figure of Cleveland. This is the story of how he rose in the ranks, making countless of enemies along the way. This is also the story of how they tried to kill him, but failed. I've never heard of Danny Greene, but the movie paints a nice realistic picture of the 1970s. This is not a pleasant world, but one where everyone is trying to get their piece of the cake. Danny himself is a hard one to figure out, is he good, is he bad? The one moment he helps out a friend in need, the next... he is killing people. I kinda like the fact that he is a person with both sides to him, allowing us to make up our own mind about him. Life is never as simple as most movies would like us to think it is. The movie itself is a little messy, and I had expected a bit more from the cast, but of course, this is a movie based on actual events and characters, and of course that means that they can't change too much. In minor roles we find Val Kilmer and Christopher Walken, both excellent actors that tend to make quirky and interesting characters, but not so much here. Last words... a solid movie that gives us some insight into a man who really lived and breathed. It has some heart, for sure, but ain't all that interesting when it comes down to it. I probably won't ever see it a second time, but I definitely survived seeing it once.
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This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
