Taking Lives
Performance & Direction: Taking Lives Review
Last updated: February 19, 2026
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 Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Thriller is often anchored by its ensemble, and Taking Lives features a noteworthy lineup led by Angelina Jolie . Supported by the likes of Ethan Hawke and Kiefer Sutherland , 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: 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
Ending Breakdown: Directed by D.J. Caruso, Taking Lives concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to thriller resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes involving Angelina Jolie, 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 thriller themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Taking Lives reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
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
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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.
