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Blood Simple

Play trailer Poster for Blood Simple R,  1984,  1h 37m,  Mystery & Thriller/ Crime/ Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Stream Now Watchlist 94% 114 Reviews Tomatometer 88% 25,000+ Ratings Popcornmeter
94% Tomatometer 114 Reviews 88% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
"Blood Simple" was the first feature film from Joel and Ethan Coen. This is the newly restored and re-edited director's cut of the film, introduced by Mortimer Young. The stylish crime thriller premiered at film festivals in 1984. "Blood Simple" begins deep in the heart of Texas, where a jealous saloon owner hires a cheap divorce detective to kill the saloon owner's younger wife and her bartender lover. But the detective gets a better idea.
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Blood Simple

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Brutally violent and shockingly funny in equal measure, Blood Simple offers early evidence of the Coen brothers' twisted sensibilities and filmmaking ingenuity.

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Critics Reviews

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Jay Scott Globe and Mail Dec 6, 2022
Blood Simple is entirely self-concious, and good for it. Go to Full Review
Adam Nayman The Ringer Apr 15, 2019
What holds up best about Blood Simple, besides its vice-tight plotting and the rotten charisma of M. Emmet Walsh's evil, manipulative private eye Visser, is the sheer exuberance of the Coens's visual style. Go to Full Review
Simran Hans Observer (UK) Oct 8, 2017
4/5
Blood Simple is a reminder that the Coens are formalist film-makers first, with keen noses for composition and taut, structured storytelling, as well as masters of black comedy. Go to Full Review
Jack Hawkins HeyUGuys Oct 6, 2026
4/5
Blood Simple is a classic noir puzzle straight out of James M. Cain, in which reversals of fortune and dark, scheming logic inch towards violence like an amoral flowchart. Go to Full Review
Jordon Searle Loud and Clear Reviews Oct 2, 2025
5/5
One of the most engaging crime films of all time. Go to Full Review
Alan Jones Radio Times Aug 19, 2025
4/5
A modern classic. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Ron L Mar 10, 2019 Has the artistry and deliberate pace of the Cohen Brothers, but the misassumptions are too contrived and numerous, spoiling the overall package. See more
Jan 27, 2019 The best thrilling movie ever made!
Leia W Nov 6, 2018 This film was amazing!
Draco R Oct 27, 2018 An outstanding debut for the Coen Brothers, Blood simple is an excellent outing for fans of dark comedy.
George S Oct 24, 2018 Surprisingly simple and gripping. Can see themes which will be developed in Fargo and No Country For Old Men.
Poe R Oct 24, 2018 Blood Simple was the debut of the director due of the Coen Brothers and Frances Mcdormand who stars as the main lead. Everything one has come to expect of the Coens- the shady characters, unpredictable plot and small-town setting can be found in Blood Simple. The film's plot concerns a man who hires a PI to kill his wife and her new man as he senses that she is cheating on him. Young Frances Mcdormand is very pretty and as good an actor as she later came to be known for. If you are a fan of crime thrillers or wish to see where the talented brothers began their Hollywood career- Blood Simple is the film to watch. See more
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Blood Simple

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Cast & Crew

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Joel Coen

Director

John Getz

Ray

Frances McDormand

Abby

M. Emmet Walsh

Private Detective

Dan Hedaya

Julian Marty

Samm-Art Williams

Meurice

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Blood Simple

Blood Simple (1984) Blood Simple (1984) Dan Hedaya and E. Emmet Walsh. (Left to right) Directors/producers Joel Coen and Ethan Coen. Frances McDormand. E. Emmet Walsh stars as private detective Loren Visser. Dan Hedaya and Frances McDormand. Blood Simple (1984) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis "Blood Simple" was the first feature film from Joel and Ethan Coen. This is the newly restored and re-edited director's cut of the film, introduced by Mortimer Young. The stylish crime thriller premiered at film festivals in 1984. "Blood Simple" begins deep in the heart of Texas, where a jealous saloon owner hires a cheap divorce detective to kill the saloon owner's younger wife and her bartender lover. But the detective gets a better idea.
Director
Joel Coen
Producer
Ethan Coen
Screenwriter
Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Distributor
USA Films
Production Co
River Road
Rating
R
Genre
Mystery & Thriller, Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 7, 1984, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Jul 1, 2016
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 1, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$1.7M
Runtime
1h 37m
Sound Mix
Stereo
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