🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Paul McGuigan
- Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller, Mystery, Comedy
- Release year: 2006
- Runtime (length): 1h 50min
- IMDb rating: 7.7/10 (331K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 52%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Dude gets mistaken for someone else, murders a bunch of people, and it turns out his whole life was revenge plot; surprise!
🍿 Lucky Number Slevin: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Mistaken Identity and Rising Debts
Slevin arrives in New York City, intending to stay with his friend Nick. However, he’s quickly mistaken for Nick by two rival crime bosses, The Boss and The Rabbi, both of whom believe Nick owes them a substantial amount of money. Slevin finds himself caught in a dangerous game, forced to navigate the demands of these powerful figures.

Forced into a Deadly Contract
The Boss demands that Slevin kill The Rabbi’s son as payment for the supposed debt. Simultaneously, The Rabbi also threatens Slevin, adding to his precarious situation. Slevin’s neighbor, Lindsey, a coroner, becomes intrigued by the situation and starts her own investigation, offering Slevin some much-needed assistance.

Unveiling the Conspiracy
As Slevin tries to navigate the escalating conflict, he uncovers a deeper conspiracy involving a mysterious assassin known as Mr. Goodkat. Lindsey’s investigation reveals connections between the crime bosses and Slevin’s predicament, hinting at a much larger plot at play.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Slevin (Josh Hartnett): Slevin, mistaken for someone else, is drawn into a deadly game of revenge, but is secretly enacting a decades-long plan of his own.
- The Boss (Morgan Freeman): The Boss is a powerful crime lord seeking retribution for his son’s death, unaware of the manipulations surrounding him.
- The Rabbi (Ben Kingsley): The Rabbi is a ruthless crime boss locked in a bitter rivalry, who becomes a pawn in Slevin’s elaborate scheme.
- Mr. Goodkat (Bruce Willis): Mr. Goodkat is a professional assassin with a complex past, whose true loyalties are gradually revealed.
- Lindsey (Lucy Liu): Lindsey is a curious and intelligent coroner who becomes entangled with Slevin and aids in uncovering the truth.
- Brikowski (Stanley Tucci): Brikowski is a detective investigating the crime bosses, unknowingly playing a part in Slevin’s revenge.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Mr. Goodkat: “A Kansas City Shuffle is when everybody looks to the left, and you go right.” – Explains a strategy of misdirection, setting up the film’s twisty plot.
- Slevin: “I have a condition. It’s called Ataraxia. I’m calm. Nothing moves me.” – Slevin states this when he’s first captured, setting the stage for his collected demeanor, which is later revealed to be more than just a condition.
- The Boss: “You want me to give you the old ‘This is business, not personal’ speech?” – The Boss says this to Slevin when ordering him to kill The Rabbi’s son, highlighting the cold, detached nature of the crime world.
- Slevin: “Did anyone ever tell you you suffer from acute logorrhea?” – Slevin delivers this line to Lindsey highlighting her chatty nature.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $27,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $22,495,466
- Worldwide Gross: $56,308,881
💥 Lucky Number Slevin Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, ‘Lucky Number Slevin’ is one of those movies that completely blew my mind the first time I saw it. I remember being on the edge of my seat, trying to figure out what was going on. The dialogue is super sharp, and I loved the way the story unfolded, with all the twists and turns. The ending? Totally unexpected! It’s one of those films I can watch over and over and still enjoy. Plus, the cast is amazing—Freeman, Kingsley, Willis, Liu, Hartnett—they all bring something special to the table. Seriously, if you haven’t seen it, you’re missing out!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of crime thrillers with intricate plots”
- “Viewers who appreciate films with dark humor and unexpected twists”
- “Audiences who enjoy ensemble casts with strong performances”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Graphic violence”
- “Strong language”
- “Brief nudity”
- “Some disturbing images”
Professional Reviews
- Empire Magazine: “A wickedly stylish and surprisingly clever crime thriller. The dialogue crackles with wit, and the performances from the all-star cast are uniformly excellent.
- Rolling Stone: “A fun, twisty crime caper with memorable characters and snappy dialogue. While it owes a debt to Tarantino, it has enough originality to stand on its own. Hartnett proves he can hold his own against heavy hitters like Freeman and Kingsley.
- Variety: “Stylish and violent, but ultimately shallow. The twists and turns are entertaining, but the film lacks emotional depth and relies too heavily on clever dialogue.
Audience Reactions
The plot twists keep you guessing until the very end.: Viewers praised the film’s intricate plot, sharp dialogue, and surprising twists.
The all-star cast delivers fantastic performances.: Many admired the strong performances from the entire cast, particularly Freeman, Kingsley, and Willis.
Overall Consensus: A stylish and entertaining crime thriller with a twisty plot and strong performances, although some find it lacking in emotional depth.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Josh Hartnett lived with screenwriter Jason Smilovic while the script was being written, inspiring the frequent towel-wearing scenes.”
- “The film’s title, ‘Lucky Number Slevin,’ is a play on words; ‘Kelevra’ is Hebrew for ‘bad dog,’ mirroring Mr. Goodkat’s name.”
- “Director Paul McGuigan drew inspiration from the works of Guy Ritchie and Quentin Tarantino, evident in the film’s stylized violence and witty dialogue.”
🖥️ How to Watch Lucky Number Slevin?
Lucky Number Slevin is available for streaming on various platforms. You can rent or purchase it on Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check local listings for cable availability and consider purchasing the DVD or Blu-ray for offline viewing.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Lucky Number Slevin, you might like these similar films:
- The Usual Suspects (1995): Both films feature intricate plots, unreliable narrators, and shocking twists that recontextualize the entire story.
- Layer Cake (2004): Features a protagonist entangled in criminal schemes, with a stylish, fast-paced narrative.
- Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005): Shares a similar blend of dark humor, crime, and witty banter, with a protagonist caught in over their head.
- Snatch (2000): For its quirky characters, complex plot, and dark comedic elements, reminiscent of Guy Ritchie’s style.
🛒 Lucky Number Slevin Related Products
- Lucky Number Slevin [Blu-ray]: Experience ‘Lucky Number Slevin’ in stunning high definition with this Blu-ray edition. Features include deleted scenes, commentary, and making-of featurettes.
- Movie Poster – Lucky Number Slevin – Bruce Willis, 24×36: High-quality reproduction of the original movie poster featuring Bruce Willis, Josh Hartnett, and the iconic ‘Lucky Number Slevin’ title. A striking addition to any movie lover’s collection.
- Playing Arts – Deck Two – Illustrated Playing Cards: A unique deck of playing cards with custom illustrations that embody a variety of artistic styles. Inspired by the film’s themes of deception and hidden identities, this deck adds a layer of sophistication to your game night.
- Eastpin Double Gun Holster, Tactical Double Shoulder Gun Holster Under Arm Concealed Carry Holster Universal Fit Pistols: Inspired by Bruce Willis character Goodkat, this double gun holster design allows you to role play or have fun with friends.
🎧 Soundtrack
Lucky Number Slevin 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
In the movie, a ‘Kansas City Shuffle’ is described as a misleading double bluff. It’s when someone looks one way and goes the other, essentially tricking their opponent by making them expect one thing while doing something entirely different. It symbolizes the film’s intricate plot twists and deceptions.
Mr. Goodkat, played by Bruce Willis, is a highly skilled assassin who is initially presented as working for both The Boss and The Rabbi. However, it’s later revealed that he’s an ally of Slevin, helping him exact his revenge. He adds a layer of mystery and lethal efficiency to the film.
‘Slevin Kelevra’ is a pseudonym. ‘Lucky Number Slevin’ was the name of the horse Slevin’s father bet on, and ‘Kelevra’ is Hebrew for ‘bad dog,’ a play on Mr. Goodkat’s name, emphasizing the connection and shared purpose between Slevin and the assassin.
🔥 Bonus Content
Another Top 10 Movie Assassins
Hey, movie buffs! Check out this fun video from WatchMojo where they rank the top movie assassins. Mr. Goodkat from Lucky Number Slevin makes an appearance, so you know it’s worth a watch.
Hidden Gems On Netflix All Action Fans Need To See
Attention, action movie lovers! Looper has got you covered with this list of underappreciated action gems on Netflix. Lucky Number Slevin is among them, so if you’re looking for a thrilling ride, give this video a watch.
Goodkat Explains the Kansas City Shuffle | Lucky Number Slevin
I love this scene from Lucky Number Slevin! It’s where Goodkat explains the infamous ‘Kansas City Shuffle.’ If you’re curious about the movie’s plot, this clip will give you a taste of the suspense and intrigue that unfolds.
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