The Rattle Rat Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 12, 2026
Movie Overview: The Rattle Rat
| Movie | The Rattle Rat |
| Release Year | 1987 |
| Director | Wim Verstappen |
| Genre | Crime / Action / Drama / Thriller / Comedy |
| Runtime | 90 minutes (1h 30m) |
| Language | NL |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Rattle Rat (1987) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.4/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Crime.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in The Rattle Rat are led by Rijk de Gooyer . The supporting cast, including Peter Faber and Marc Klein Essink , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
While The Rattle Rat does not fully realize its potential, it still contains moments that may appeal to viewers who enjoy Crime films.
- Interesting concept or premise
- Some entertaining scenes
- Supporting cast delivers occasional highlights
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, The Rattle Rat 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 Crime fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: The Rattle Rat
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1987, The Rattle Rat is a Crime, Action, Drama, Thriller, Comedy film directed by Wim Verstappen, written by Rogier Proper. The narrative dives into the criminal underworld with a grounded sense of realism and complex morality. As part of the Grijpstra & de Gier Collection, it provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Rijk de Gooyer as Adjudant Grijpstra.
Ending Explained: The Rattle Rat
The Rattle Rat Ending Explained: A rich Frisian farmer has been murdered in Amsterdam and police duo Grijpstra & De Gier are sent to investigate. Directed by Wim Verstappen, this 1987 crime film stars Rijk de Gooyer (Adjudant Grijpstra), alongside Peter Faber as Brigadier de Gier, Marc Klein Essink as Hoofdagent Cardozo, Bernhard Droog as Commissaris. Rated 5.4/10, the conclusion has sparked discussion among viewers.
What Happens at the End of The Rattle Rat?
A rich Frisian farmer has been murdered in Amsterdam and police duo Grijpstra & De Gier are sent to investigate. Adjutant Grijpstra has problems at home again and is happy to leave for Friesland to investigate the murder. Sgt. De Gier finds the Frisian Hylke much more interesting than the murder case. In Leeuwarden there is a real Chinese war and a brutal robbery at the cattle market. Suddenly there is that friendly rattling, asthmatic rat who provides an unexpected solution.
Wim Verstappen's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Rijk de Gooyer (Adjudant Grijpstra)'s journey. Adjutant Grijpstra has problems at home again and is happy to leave for Friesland to investigate the murder.
As part of the Grijpstra & de Gier Collection, the ending carries additional weight for fans following the franchise.
How Does Rijk de Gooyer (Adjudant Grijpstra)'s Story End?
- Rijk de Gooyer: Rijk de Gooyer's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
- Peter Faber (Brigadier de Gier): Peter Faber's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Marc Klein Essink (Hoofdagent Cardozo): Marc Klein Essink's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of The Rattle Rat Mean?
The ending of The Rattle Rat brings the narrative to a close, though viewer reception has been mixed. The resolution of Rijk de Gooyer's story may not satisfy all audiences.
The Rattle Rat Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is The Rattle Rat Based on a True Story?
Yes, The Rattle Rat draws from real criminal cases and investigative records. Directed by Wim Verstappen and starring Rijk de Gooyer, this crime, action, drama, thriller, comedy film explores how real events have been adapted into a dramatic narrative.
Real Story vs Movie Version of The Rattle Rat
The film takes creative liberties to strengthen its narrative. Certain scenes are likely dramatized to enhance emotional impact.
While inspired by real events, the narrative focuses more on storytelling than strict historical accuracy.
Accuracy Assessment: The Rattle Rat uses real-life inspiration as the foundation for a dramatized narrative. The film prioritizes thematic storytelling over strict documentary accuracy.
Who Should Watch The Rattle Rat?
Age Advisory: Rated Not Rated.
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 Rattle Rat Parents Guide & Age Rating
1987 AdvisoryWondering about The Rattle Rat age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Rattle Rat (1987) is 90 minutes (1h 30m). Directed by Wim Verstappen, the film runs for 90 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.4/10, and global performance metrics, The Rattle Rat is classified as a AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1987 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Rattle Rat worth watching?
The Rattle Rat is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Crime movies. It has a verified rating of 5.4/10 and stands as a AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Rattle Rat parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Rattle Rat identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of The Rattle Rat (1987)?
The runtime of The Rattle Rat (1987) is 90 minutes (approximately 1h 30m).
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.
Useful Links
More with Rijk de Gooyer
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Part of the Grijpstra & de Gier Collection
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