Murder by Numbers (2002)
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31% of critics liked it
(125 reviews) -
54% of users liked it
(61,009 ratings)
When a pair of bright-but sociopathic teens conspires to commit the perfect murder, a troubled cop teams with her eager new partner to solve the case that left the community in fear and the police without a clue. High school ladies' man Richard Haywood (Ryan Gosling) and outcast Justin Pendleton… More When a pair of bright-but sociopathic teens conspires to commit the perfect murder, a troubled cop teams with her eager new partner to solve the case that left the community in fear and the police without a clue. High school ladies' man Richard Haywood (Ryan Gosling) and outcast Justin Pendleton (Michael Pitt) have no motive to commit murder, but they soon conspire to choose a random victim and pin the crime on local pot dealer Ray (Chris Penn), under the guise that the police will never suspect them of such a brutal act. Determined Det. Cassie Merriweather (Sandra Bullock) is assigned to the case, and quickly becomes suspicious of the elusive teens despite the doubts expressed by her superiors and her lack of solid evidence. Soon entering into a dangerous test of wills with the increasingly desperate and dangerous teens, her investigation leads her down a disturbing path that will test her skills as a detective and her will to survive. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Directed By
- Barbet Schroeder
- Written By
- Tony Gayton
- Genres
- Mystery & Suspense, Drama
- In Theaters
- Apr 19, 2002 Wide
- Studio
- Warner Bros.
Critic Reviews
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Mark Caro, Chicago Tribune
The outline of Murder by Numbers may be familiar, but the filmmakers and Bullock do an expert job of filling in the colors.
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Andrew Sarris, New York Observer
It's well worth catching for its interesting twists on the Leopold and Loeb story.
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Dennis Lim, Village Voice
As long as Schroeder stays with the kids, the film musters a good deal of restless tabloid intensity, and even the occasional twinge of pathos.
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Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
Bullock is good, the script is not.
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Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Predictable thriller is definitely not for kids.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Sandra Bullock
as Det. Cassie Mayweather
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Ryan Gosling
as Richard Haywood
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Michael Pitt
as Justin Pendleton
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Agnes Bruckner
as Lisa Mills
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Chris Penn
as Ray
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R.D. Call
as Rod
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Ben Chaplin
as Sam Kennedy
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Janni Brenn
as Ms. Elder
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Dennis Cockrum
as Criminalist at Ray's House
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John Doolittle
as Fingerprint Technician
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Jim Jansen
as Lawyer
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Eric Saiet
as Criminalist at Ray's House
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Ralph Seymour
as Paramedic
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Tom Verica
as Al Swanson
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John Vickery
as Restaurant Manager
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Michael Canavan
as Mr. Chechi
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Sharon Madden
as Nurse
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Adilah Barnes
as Lab Technician
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Nick Offerman
as Uniformed Cop
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Brian Stepanek
as Parole Board Marshal
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Christine Healy
as Justin's Mother
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Krista Carpenter
as Olivia Lake
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Neal Matarazzo
as Male Officer In Flashback
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Paula Scarpino
as Female Officer In Flashback
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Nancy Osborne
as Richard's Mother
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Todd Leatherbury
as Cop
- Christopher Penn





