The Guilty

  • 2021
  • R
  • 89m
movieMx RATING
6.4
3.1K
VERDICT
ABOVE AVERAGE
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The Guilty Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict

Last updated: April 18, 2026

movieMx Editorial
📅 Updated: April 18, 2026 🎟️ Verified Screening

Movie Overview: The Guilty

MovieThe Guilty
Release Year2021
DirectorAntoine Fuqua
GenreDrama / Thriller
Runtime89 minutes
LanguageEN

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is The Guilty (2021) 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 Drama.

🎭 Cast & Character Study

The performances in The Guilty are led by Jake Gyllenhaal . The supporting cast, including Ethan Hawke and Riley Keough , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.

💡 movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?

After analyzing the verified data, our assessment of The Guilty (2021) is mixed. It has its moments but fails to leave a lasting impression. With a platform rating of 6.4/10, it currently stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our database.

What Works in the Movie

While The Guilty does not fully realize its potential, it still contains moments that may appeal to viewers who enjoy Drama films.

  • Interesting concept or premise
  • Some entertaining scenes
  • Supporting cast delivers occasional highlights

What Doesn't Work

Despite its strengths, The Guilty 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 Drama fanbase

Story & Plot Summary: The Guilty

Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2021, The Guilty is a Drama, Thriller film directed by Antoine Fuqua. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Jake Gyllenhaal.

Story Breakdown

This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. A demoted police officer assigned to a call dispatch desk is conflicted when he receives an emergency phone call from a kidnapped woman. The screenplay takes time to develop Jake Gyllenhaal's journey, allowing audiences to connect emotionally with their struggles and triumphs. Each scene builds upon the last, creating a cumulative emotional impact.

Narrative Structure

  • Opening Hook: We meet the main character in their ordinary world, establishing the emotional baseline before the inciting incident disrupts their life.
  • Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Jake Gyllenhaal's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
  • Climax & Resolution: The emotional climax brings character arcs to their natural conclusion, providing catharsis while staying true to the story's core themes.

Ending Explained: The Guilty

The Guilty Ending Explained: Directed by Antoine Fuqua, The Guilty wraps up the main storyline while leaving some interpretation to viewers. The ending highlights the core drama themes developed throughout the film.

The final twist encourages viewers to reconsider earlier moments in the story, particularly in scenes involving Jake Gyllenhaal. 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 drama themes introduced earlier in the film.

The final moments of The Guilty reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.

Who Should Watch The Guilty?

Worth Watching If You:

  • Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
  • Are a fan of Jake Gyllenhaal or the director
  • Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
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Top Cast: The Guilty

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Where to Watch The Guilty Online?

Streaming Hub

📺 Stream on

NetflixNetflix

The Guilty Parents Guide & Age Rating

2021 Advisory
R

Official Age Rating

Wondering about The Guilty age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

The Guilty is rated R. Parents should be aware that it contains mature themes, violence. It is intended for mature audiences only.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of The Guilty is 89 minutes (1h 29m). 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, The Guilty is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2021 cinematic calendar.

ABOVE AVERAGE
Official movieMx status for The Guilty. Rating: 6.4/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Guilty worth watching?

The Guilty is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama 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 The Guilty parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for The Guilty identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of The Guilty?

The total duration of The Guilty is 89 minutes, which is approximately 1h 29m long.

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How The Guilty Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for The Guilty

🛡️

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
★ 6.4
The Guilty
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