Taking Lives
Taking Lives Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: April 14, 2026
Movie Overview: Taking Lives
| Movie | Taking Lives |
| Release Year | 2004 |
| Director | D.J. Caruso |
| Genre | Thriller |
| Runtime | 103 minutes |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Taking Lives (2004) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.4/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Thriller.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in Taking Lives are led by Angelina Jolie . The supporting cast, including Ethan Hawke and Kiefer Sutherland , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
While Taking Lives does not fully realize its potential, it still contains moments that may appeal to viewers who enjoy Thriller films.
- Interesting concept or premise
- Some entertaining scenes
- Supporting cast delivers occasional highlights
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, Taking Lives has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Thriller fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: Taking Lives
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2004, Taking Lives is a Thriller film directed by D.J. Caruso. The narrative builds tension through unpredictable twists and keeps audiences guessing until the final reveal. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Angelina Jolie.
Story Breakdown
The plot weaves a complex web of mystery and suspense. Recruited to assist Montreal police in their desperate search for a serial killer who assumes the identities of his victims, FBI profiler Illeana Scott knows it's only a matter of time before the killer strikes again. Her most promising lead is a museum employee who might be the killer's only eyewitness. Information is revealed strategically, keeping viewers engaged as they piece together clues alongside Angelina Jolie. The narrative maintains momentum through well-timed revelations and unexpected turns.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The opening scene plants the seeds of mystery, introducing questions that will drive the narrative forward.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Angelina Jolie's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: All mysteries converge in a climax that recontextualizes earlier events and delivers satisfying answers.
Ending Explained: Taking Lives
Taking Lives Ending Explained: Directed by D.J. Caruso, Taking Lives wraps up the main storyline while leaving some interpretation to viewers. The ending highlights the core thriller themes developed throughout the film.
The final twist encourages viewers to reconsider earlier moments in the story, particularly in scenes involving Angelina Jolie. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.
Key Elements of the Ending
- Narrative Resolution: The story resolves its primary conflict while leaving room for interpretation.
- Character Development: Character motivations become clearer by the final scenes.
- Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the thriller themes introduced earlier in the film.
The final moments of Taking Lives reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.
Who Should Watch Taking Lives?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Thriller films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Angelina Jolie or the director
- Want suspenseful moments and mystery
Box Office Collection: Taking Lives
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $45.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $65.5M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Taking Lives Budget
The estimated production budget for Taking Lives is $45.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Taking Lives
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Taking Lives Online?
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Amazon VideoApple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeTaking Lives Parents Guide & Age Rating
2004 AdvisoryWondering about Taking Lives age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Taking Lives is 103 minutes (1h 43m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.4/10, and global performance metrics, Taking Lives is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2004 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Taking Lives worth watching?
Taking Lives is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Thriller movies. It has a verified rating of 6.4/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Taking Lives parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Taking Lives identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Taking Lives?
The total duration of Taking Lives is 103 minutes, which is approximately 1h 43m long.
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Critic Reviews for Taking Lives
Angelina Jolie does her best here and Ethan Hawke injects just a touch of menace but otherwise it's a rather far-fetched crime thriller set in Montreal. "Martin Asher" leaves his home and by systematically killing men as he ages - and assuming their identities - has left quite a trail of corpses over almost twenty years before FBI profiler Jolie is drafted in to try and help them get to the bottom of it all. The acting is ok, by and large, but a few "guest appearances" from Kiefer Sutherland, Gena Rowlands and probably the briefest of roles in his career for Justin Chatwin, can't really develop the rather dreary writing nor give it much sparkle as we lumber towards an ending that is just plain daft. In theory, the story is complex and has enough about it to keep us guessing, but the overall execution is flat and proves pretty uninteresting after about ten minutes. Pity - had potential.
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.
