Homicide (1991)
David Mamet's taut, morally charged crime thriller about identity, loyalty, and the cost of belonging.
Homicide - Movie Information
- Original Title: Homicide
- Release Year: 1991
- Directed by: David Mamet
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Crime, Mystery, Thriller
- Runtime: 1h 42m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: Yiddish, English
- Release Date (Theatrical): May 28, 1991 (United States), April 9, 1992 (Australia - M), October 26, 1993 (Spain)
- Alternative Titles: Hatet (SE), Homicidio (ES)
- Production Companies: Bison Films, Pressman Film, Cinehaus
- Production Countries: United States of America
Homicide - Plot
While investigating the ruthless murder of an elderly woman, a Jewish police detective unravels a bizarre conspiracy involving a Zionist organization.
Homicide - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see Mamet's thriller unfold:
Powerful. Provocative. Controversial.
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Homicide - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- David Mamet
Main Cast
- Joe Mantegna
- William H. Macy
- Vincent Guastaferro
- J.J. Johnston
- Jack Wallace
- Lionel Mark Smith
- Rebecca Pidgeon
- Ving Rhames
- Ricky Jay
- Paul Butler
Writers
- David Mamet
Producers
- Michael Hausman
- Edward R. Pressman
Homicide - FAQs
What is Homicide (1991) about?
Homicide follows Bobby Gold, a Jewish detective played by Joe Mantegna, who gets pulled off a high-profile manhunt to investigate the murder of an elderly Jewish shopkeeper. What starts as a routine case spirals into a crisis of identity as Gold uncovers a Zionist conspiracy and is forced to confront where his true loyalties lie.
Does Homicide explore antisemitism and Jewish identity?
Absolutely — it's the film's beating heart. David Mamet uses the murder investigation as a lens to examine what it means to be Jewish in America. Bobby Gold has spent his career assimilating into police culture, and the case forces him to reckon with an identity he's long suppressed. It's provocative, personal, and deeply felt.
Where can you stream Homicide (1991)?
You can stream Homicide on the Criterion Channel or fuboTV. It's also available free with ads on The Roku Channel, YouTube Free, and Plex. If you prefer to own it, Google Play Movies and YouTube both offer purchase and rental options.
Is Homicide based on a true story?
No, Homicide is an original screenplay written by David Mamet. While the film feels grounded and authentic — drawing on real social tensions around antisemitism and Jewish-American identity — the story of detective Bobby Gold and the conspiracy he uncovers is entirely fictional, crafted by Mamet from his own experiences and perspective.
Who are the main actors in Homicide?
Joe Mantegna leads the cast as detective Bobby Gold, with William H. Macy as his partner Tim Sullivan. The supporting cast includes Rebecca Pidgeon, Ving Rhames, Ricky Jay, Vincent Guastaferro, and Paul Butler — many of them regular collaborators in Mamet's cinematic world.
How was Homicide received by critics?
Critics praised Homicide as one of Mamet's most ambitious and personal films. Reviewers highlighted Joe Mantegna's intense performance and Mamet's razor-sharp dialogue, while noting the film's willingness to tackle thorny questions of identity and loyalty. It has since earned a strong reputation as an underappreciated gem of early-1990s American cinema.
Who was the cinematographer for Homicide?
Homicide was shot by Roger Deakins, one of cinema's most celebrated cinematographers. His work here is characteristically precise — using tight, claustrophobic framing to mirror Bobby Gold's mounting psychological pressure. It's an early example of Deakins bringing his distinctive visual intelligence to a dialogue-driven, character-focused thriller.
Did Homicide perform well at the box office?
Commercially, Homicide struggled — it earned around $2.9 million against an $11 million budget. But box office numbers rarely tell the whole story. The film found a devoted audience over time, particularly through its Criterion Collection release, and is now regarded as a significant work in both Mamet's filmography and American crime cinema.
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