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The Ref

Play trailer Poster for The Ref R,  1994,  1h 33m,  Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 73% 56 Reviews Tomatometer 73% 25,000+ Ratings Popcornmeter
73% Tomatometer 56 Reviews 73% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
Bickering spouses (Judy Davis, Kevin Spacey) annoy the cat burglar (Denis Leary) who takes them hostage in their Connecticut home.
The Ref

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Undeniably uneven and too dark for some, The Ref nonetheless boasts strong turns from Denis Leary, Judy Davis, and Kevin Spacey, as well as a sharply funny script.

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Critics Reviews

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Kelly Vance Chicago Reader Jun 6, 2022
3/4
Demme and the screenwriters take care to fill out the scenario with vividly drawn characters such as Raymond J. Barry’s sardonic police chief and Robert Steinmiller Jr.’s Jesse. Go to Full Review
Jason Bailey Flavorwire Jan 4, 2017
It's not just a Denis Leary vehicle. It's a real movie, with drama and grace and intelligence (and slapstick and drunk Santa gags and crude laughs). Go to Full Review
Jeff Shannon Seattle Times Dec 6, 2013
3/4
It's miraculous casting, and the Australian Davis -- for my money the finest actress around, bar none -- is simply uncanny in her command of East Coast gentility combined with razor-sharp timing and comedic expression. Go to Full Review
Jeff Simon Buffalo News Feb 29, 2024
3.5/5
No matter how clever the script sometimes is, the laughs elicited by this movie are cheap, tinny sitcom laughs. Go to Full Review
Patrick McDonald HollywoodChicago.com Dec 17, 2023
3.5/4
Often cited by many as a favorite Christmas film. Why? Because it depicts family ties at its most honest and painful, which is closest to the truth of what and who we are, especially in the midst of fake cheer of the holidays. W/Pat&Ken At the Holidays! Go to Full Review
Rachel Wagner rachelsreviews.net Mar 21, 2019
C+
If you are in the mood for something different at Christmas than The Ref might be a fun choice for you. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Feb 2, 2019 The best comedy movie ever made!
Luke S Jan 17, 2019 The kind of comedy I'm talking about here is not of forced jokes and silly slapstick. It is smart, and with a point. Certainly, a must-see using boxxy software app! See more
Nov 4, 2018 We watch it EVERY Christmas, and find ourselves quoting it all year long.
Abraham S Aug 14, 2018 This is one of my very favorite Xmas movies. It's razor sharp dialogue is delivered by a brilliant cast, Spacey and Davis in particular shine. So few people I know have seen this film, which I first bought on VHS in Ireland under the name Hostile Hostages. Brilliant around Xmas time, see it! See more
Han W Jun 22, 2018 Ted Demme directed this funny dark comedy which might be too shrill for some viewers.
Hermione M Feb 15, 2018 A fun and different kind of Christmas movie.
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The Ref

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Ted Demme

Director

Denis Leary

Gus

Judy Davis

Caroline Chasseur

Kevin Spacey

Lloyd Chasseur

Robert J. Steinmiller Jr.

Jesse Chasseur

Glynis Johns

Rose Chasseur

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The Ref

The Ref (1994) The Ref (1994) The Ref (1994) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Bickering spouses (Judy Davis, Kevin Spacey) annoy the cat burglar (Denis Leary) who takes them hostage in their Connecticut home.
Director
Ted Demme
Producer
Ronald M. Bozman, Richard LaGravenese, Jeff Weiss
Screenwriter
Marie Weiss, Richard LaGravenese
Distributor
Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co
Touchstone Pictures
Rating
R (Language)
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 9, 1994, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 18, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$11.3M
Runtime
1h 33m
Sound Mix
Dolby, Surround
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