Is The Factory Worth Watching?
Answer: Maybe not, The Factory is likely a skip if you enjoy Crime movies.
It features a runtime of 108 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to mature audiences.
The Factory Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 2012, The Factory emerges as a significant entry in the Crime, Thriller, Mystery domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of An obsessed cop is on the trail of a serial killer prowling the streets of Buffalo, N. Unlike standard genre fare, The Factory attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Crime is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Factory features a noteworthy lineup led by John Cusack . Supported by the likes of Jennifer Carpenter and Mae Whitman , 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 The Factory (2012) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.6/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
The Factory Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: The Factory is a Crime, Thriller, Mystery film that delves into the criminal underworld with gritty realism and moral complexity. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
The Factory Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: The Factory attempts to tie together its various plot elements. 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 The Factory reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
The Factory Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
The Factory incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a crime, thriller, mystery 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: The Factory adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch The Factory?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Crime films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
The Factory Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $25.0M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
The Factory Budget
The estimated production budget for The Factory is $25.0M. 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.
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Full Cast & Crew of The Factory
- John Cusack – Mike Fletcher
- Jennifer Carpenter – Kelsey Walker
- Mae Whitman – Abby Fletcher
- Dallas Roberts – Gary Gemeaux
- Sonya Walger – Shelley
Top Highlights
John CusackMike Fletcher
Jennifer CarpenterKelsey Walker
Mae WhitmanAbby Fletcher
Dallas RobertsGary Gemeaux
Sonya WalgerShelley
Michael TrevinoTad
Ksenia SoloEmma
Mageina TovahBrittany
Katherine WaterstonLauren
Gary Anthony WilliamsDarryl
Where to Watch The Factory Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoApple TVGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeParents Guide & Age Rating
The Factory is rated R. Parents should be aware that it contains mature themes, violence. It is intended for mature audiences only.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 5.6/10, and global collection metrics, The Factory stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2012 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Factory movie hit or flop?
The Factory has received mixed reviews with a 5.6/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is The Factory worth watching?
The Factory is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Crime, Thriller, Mystery movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch The Factory online?
The Factory may be available for rent or purchase on digital platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video. Specific streaming availability can vary by country.
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How The Factory Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The Factory
**Fundamentals, reception.** 1. American/Canadian live action feature length film, 2012, rated R, 108 minutes, crime, mystery, thriller. 2. IMDB: 5.7/10.0 from 5,365 audience ratings. Estimated budget, 25 million USD. 3. Rotten Tomatoes: 'No score yet...' and 42% liked it from 1,128 audience ratings. 4. Netflix: 3.5/5.0 from 636,300 audience ratings. 5. Directed by: Morgan O'Neill. 6. Starring: John Cusack as Mike Fletcher, Jennifer Carpenter as Kelsey, Dallas Roberts as Carl, Mae Whitman as Abby Fletcher, Sonya Walger as Shelley Fletcher, Ksenia Solo as Emma, Gary Anthony Williams as Darryl. **Setup and Plot** 1. Mike and Kelsey have been on the case of a serial killer for quite some time, but the department is shutting their efforts down for lack of progress. It's Thanksgiving, and Mike asks Kelsey to stop by to say hello to his wife Shelley, and daughter Abby. 2. There is tension between Shelly and Abby, and between Shelley and Mike. Mike and Kelsey revive the case somewhat over a murder of a transsexual. Abby gets more discouraged with Shelley, and takes off. She breaks up with her boyfriend, and the serial killer kidnaps her. Shelley finally notices Abbey is gone. She alerts Mike, and the police engage more strongly. 3. Mike and Kelsey get a lead on the accomplice of the killer. Mike goes off on him, and physically assaults him. After trying to follow the accomplice, they give up after a while. The accomplice was on a long shift and stayed in the hospital where he worked to avoid being followed. Mike loses his composure at home. 4. Abbey, meanwhile, has a wretched time in captivity with other young women who have been kidnapped. Mike starts looking at his daughter's life as he would if he were not his father; then the clues start coming. 5. Will Abbey get rescued? Will Mike still have a career? **Conclusions** 1. **One line summary**: Cop needs to find his daughter emotionally to find her physically. 2. Three stars of five. **Scores** 1. Cinematography: 8/10 Better than VHS quality, but not by much. 2. Sound: 4/10 Sound levels were absurdly out of control. 3. Acting: 6/10 Cusack and Carpenter were fine. Dallas Roberts, whose role was pivotal, was unconvincing, beginning to end. Mae Whitman was rather good, but Sonya Walger not so much. 4. Screenplay: 6/10 The story was clever and engaging, but the poor choices in casting nullified much of that. I enjoyed the onscreen time of Cusack and Carpenter, but when Roberts was onscreen, the urge to leave to get a cup of coffee was enormous. The ending was tough to stomach, but it certainly explained the difficulties in the investigation.
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This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
