Kill the Irishman
Performance & Direction: Kill the Irishman Review
Last updated: February 18, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Kill the Irishman (2011) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.8/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Action.
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?
Story & Plot Summary: Kill the Irishman
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2011, Kill the Irishman is a Action, Crime, Thriller, Drama film directed by Jonathan Hensleigh. The narrative delivers highly intense sequences and pulse-pounding confrontations that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Ray Stevenson.
Story Breakdown
In this high-octane feature, Jonathan Hensleigh establishes a narrative structure that follows a classic action blueprint: establishing the protagonist's world, introducing a formidable antagonist, and escalating the stakes. 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 for Ray Stevenson, ensuring the action serves the story rather than overwhelming it.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The title 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. Ray Stevenson's 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.
Ending Explained: Kill the Irishman
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Jonathan Hensleigh, 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 involving Ray Stevenson, 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 directed by Jonathan Hensleigh, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement for Ray Stevenson's character.
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 Ray Stevenson or the director
- Want an adrenaline rush without demanding perfection
Box Office Collection: Kill the Irishman
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Worldwide Gross | $1.2M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Top Cast: Kill the Irishman
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Where to Watch Kill the Irishman Online?
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YouTubeKill the Irishman Parents Guide & Age Rating
2011 AdvisoryWondering about Kill the Irishman age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Kill the Irishman is 106 minutes (1h 46m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.8/10, and global performance metrics, Kill the Irishman is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2011 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kill the Irishman worth watching?
Kill the Irishman is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Action movies. It has a verified rating of 6.8/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Kill the Irishman parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Kill the Irishman identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Kill the Irishman?
The total duration of Kill the Irishman is 106 minutes, which is approximately 1h 46m long.
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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 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.









