Amsterdam
The brief
David O. Russell throws together an impressive ensemble cast for what feels like a screwball comedy that keeps forgetting it's supposed to be a historical thriller about fascism. Christian Bale does his usual eccentric shtick while Margot Robbie and John David Washington try to hold together a plot that meanders through 134 minutes of increasingly bizarre tonal shifts. The period details are gorgeous and the conspiracy at its center is genuinely wild, but Russell's kitchen-sink approach to storytelling makes it exhausting rather than entertaining. If you loved the chaotic energy of I Heart Huckabees but wished it had more murder and less coherence, this might work for you.
The verdict
If you're a David O. Russell devotee who enjoys gorgeous period pieces with stellar casts and can tolerate wildly uneven tones, this ambitious conspiracy thriller offers plenty of visual spectacle and eccentric performances. If you prefer coherent storytelling and consistent pacing over chaotic energy, the film's 134-minute runtime will feel like an endurance test rather than entertainment.
Watch with
- 👥 Fellow David O. Russell fans who enjoy chaotic ensemble pieces
- ⚠️ Viewers seeking tight, focused storytelling
Heads up
- Murder and conspiracy violence (moderate)
- Historical fascism themes (moderate)
Credits
- Director
- David O. Russell
- Cast
- Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, John David Washington, Alessandro Nivola, Andrea Riseborough, Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Rock
Official synopsis
In the 1930s, three friends—a doctor, a nurse, and an attorney—witness a murder, become suspects themselves and uncover one of the most outrageous plots in American history.
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with Last Night in Soho (2021)
Both blend period mystery with stylish paranoia and conspiracy themes.
Total runtime: 2h 14m + 1h 57m = 4h 11m
