🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Carl Franklin
- Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
- Release year: 2003
- Runtime (length): 1h 45min
- IMDb rating: 6.5/10 (108k votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 64%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A police chief in Florida decides to help his mistress with cancer by stealing drug money, but then things get complicated when she and her abusive husband turn up dead, and his wife, who’s also a detective, starts investigating him.
🍿 Out of Time: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Introduction to Matt Whitlock
Matt Whitlock (Denzel Washington) is the police chief in the small Florida town of Banyan Key. Separated from his wife, Alex (Eva Mendes), a Miami homicide detective, Matt is having an affair with Ann Merai Harrison (Sanaa Lathan), who claims to be suffering from terminal cancer and is in an abusive relationship with her husband, Chris (Dean Cain).

The Theft and the Murders
Driven by his feelings for Ann and her supposed illness, Matt decides to help her by stealing nearly half a million dollars in seized drug money from the police evidence lock-up. However, things take a dark turn when Ann and Chris are found dead in an arson fire shortly after Matt makes her the beneficiary of a life insurance policy. Matt now becomes the prime suspect in a double homicide case led by his estranged wife, Alex.

Whitlock’s Desperate Cover-Up
As Alex investigates, Matt frantically tries to cover his tracks, manipulating evidence and evading suspicion. The DEA is also breathing down his neck for the missing drug money, adding to the pressure. He finds himself in a race against time to clear his name and recover the stolen funds before his lies unravel and Alex discovers the truth.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Matt Lee Whitlock (Denzel Washington): The police chief of a small Florida town who finds himself framed for murder after an affair gone wrong.
- Alex Diaz Whitlock (Eva Mendes): Matt’s estranged wife and a homicide detective investigating the case, creating a tense personal and professional conflict.
- Ann Merai Harrison (Sanaa Lathan): Matt’s lover, who sets the plot in motion by deceiving him and implicating him in a crime.
- Chris Harrison (Dean Cain): Ann’s abusive husband, who is part of the scheme to frame Matt and steal the drug money.
- Chae (John Billingsley): Matt’s loyal but somewhat hapless medical examiner friend who provides comedic relief and assists him.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Matt Lee Whitlock: “I gave her the Scarcetti money.” – Matt confesses to Chae that he gave the confiscated drug money to Ann.
- Chae: “Would you have given it to me if I slept with you?” – Chae jokingly questions Matt’s motives after learning about the large sum of money given away.
- Matt Lee Whitlock: “Just stupid.” – Matt admits to Alex in the ambulance that he wasn’t in love with Ann, he was just stupid when asked if he loved Ann.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $50,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $41,088,845
- Worldwide Gross: $55,495,563
💥 Out of Time Reviews
Personal Review
I really enjoyed ‘Out of Time’ because it kept me guessing. Denzel Washington is fantastic as always, and the Florida setting gives it a cool, noir vibe. The twists and turns in the plot had me on the edge of my seat, and the ending was satisfying. It’s a solid crime thriller that I’d definitely recommend!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of Denzel Washington”
- “Viewers who enjoy crime thrillers”
- “Those interested in neo-noir films”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence”
- “Sexual content”
- “Strong language”
- “Adultery”
Professional Reviews
- Entertainment Weekly: “While ‘Out of Time’ features a strong performance from Denzel Washington, the plot is predictable and the suspense feels manufactured. The Florida setting provides a nice backdrop, but the film ultimately lacks originality.
- The New York Times: “The film has some exciting action sequences and suspenseful moments, but the story is not particularly original, and the plot twists are sometimes predictable.
- Rolling Stone: “Though not among Denzel Washington’s best, ‘Out of Time’ offers enough thrills to satisfy fans of crime dramas. The film benefits from Washington’s charisma and a decent supporting cast, but it falls short of being a truly memorable thriller.
Audience Reactions
Denzel Washington’s performance really carries the movie, making it worth watching.: Viewers appreciated the suspenseful plot and the Florida setting.
The plot twists kept me guessing until the very end.: People enjoyed the exciting action sequences and well-executed suspense.
Overall Consensus: A generally well-received crime thriller, with Denzel Washington’s performance being a major highlight for many viewers. The plot, while somewhat predictable, provides enough suspense to keep audiences engaged.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Denzel Washington was reportedly paid $20 million for his role in this film.”
- “The film’s setting, Banyan Key, Florida, is fictional. Filming took place in various locations in Florida, including Sarasota and Casey Key.”
- “Carl Franklin and Denzel Washington previously collaborated on the film ‘Devil in a Blue Dress’ (1995).”
🖥️ How to Watch Out of Time?
Out of Time is available for purchase or rental on various platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check local listings for broadcast availability. Select streaming services may include it in their subscription library.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Out of Time, you might like these similar films:
- Devil in a Blue Dress (1995): Also directed by Carl Franklin and starring Denzel Washington, this is another neo-noir crime thriller with a complex plot.
- The Negotiator (1998): A cop is framed and must prove his innocence while uncovering a conspiracy within the police force.
- No Way Out (1987): A man is wrongly accused and becomes the target of a manhunt as he races to clear his name and expose the real killer.
- Blood Simple (1984): This early Coen brothers film features a tangled web of deceit, adultery, and murder in a Texas noir setting, appealing to fans of complex crime stories.
🛒 Out of Time Related Products
- Denzel Washington: A Life in Pictures: A comprehensive biography showcasing Denzel Washington’s remarkable career, filled with behind-the-scenes photos and insights.
- Florida Noir: The Crime Fiction of Carl Hiaasen: A collection of Carl Hiaasen’s best crime fiction, capturing the essence of Florida noir and its unique blend of humor and suspense.
- Denzel Washington Movie Collection (DVD): A DVD collection featuring several of Denzel Washington’s iconic films, including Training Day, Man on Fire, and The Bone Collector.
- Miami Vice: The Complete Series (DVD): Miami Vice is a crime drama that deals with similar themes such as crime, and mystery, and is set in Florida, making this series an enjoyable watch for ‘Out of Time’ movie lovers.
🎧 Soundtrack
Out of Time features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Out of Time was filmed in various locations in Florida, including Casey Key Swing Bridge, Sarasota, giving the film its distinctive Florida noir atmosphere.
No, Out of Time is a work of fiction, but the storyline draws on common themes found in film noir and crime thrillers, such as betrayal, deception, and corruption.
The movie was directed by Carl Franklin, known for his work in other crime films like ‘Devil in a Blue Dress’ and ‘One False Move’.
🔥 Bonus Content
Chris Farlowe – Out Of Time (1966)
Ever wondered about that awesome song playing in ‘In Time’? It’s Chris Farlowe’s ‘Out of Time’, and this original music video is a total vibe! Seriously, seeing this vintage performance just adds another layer to the movie’s atmosphere – you gotta check it out!
The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water (2015) – Spongebob Laughs Scene (2/10) | Movieclips
Did you know Mr. Krabs is in In Time? Watch this movie clip of Spongebob to find out! Seriously, once you know, you can’t unhear it!
Film Theory: Time is Running OUT! (Chikn Nuggit Lore)
Okay, hear me out… this Film Theory episode connects the dots with some pretty wild ideas about TIME. It’s a long video, but if you want to dive deep and discuss alternative theories, you HAVE to give it a watch. Prepare to have your mind blown!
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