Shallow Grave

Shallow Grave (1994)

  • 72% of critics liked it
    (46 reviews)

  • 81% of users liked it
    (38,924 ratings)

The feature film debut of Scottish director Danny Boyle was a dark, hip, Generation X comedy about a trio of Edinburgh roommates whose narcissistic greed fuels murder and betrayal. Boisterous journalist Alex (Ewan McGregor), flirtatious doctor Juliet (Kerry Fox), and meek accountant David… More

Play Trailer

R,
Directed By
Written By
John Hodge
Genres
Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Comedy
In Theaters
Jun 1, 1995 Wide
On DVD
Dec 22, 1998
PolyGram Video

Critic Reviews

  • Peter Rainer, Los Angeles Times

    Class has its place, but some of us prefer our cut-'em-ups a little more lowdown.

  • John Hartl, Film.com

    The situation is contrived, the relationships unlikely, the characters one-dimensional.

  • Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

    Since no reasonable person can remotely hope to identity with Juliet, David or Alex, the whole case drops through.

  • James Berardinelli, ReelViews

    A reasonably enjoyable (for those captivated by this sort of thing) black comedy/noir thriller.

  • Lucy Mohl, Film.com

    Boyle's cool manner and the performances ultimately ratchet Shallow Grave past the ranks of standard thriller fare.

Read all 24 critic reviews

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)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Kase V


    Danny Boyle's debut film is incredibly taut and chilling. With dark undertones and great performances (McGregor does very well), Boyle creates a moody thriller with an engaging plot but maybe with too loose of an ending.

  • Chris W


    Combine varying amounts of The Trouble With Harry with Blood Simple, and the result is something like this. Shallow Grave is the debut of maverick director Danny Boyle, and it's a pretty slick way to kick off a career. The plot involves three self obsessed and rather cruel… More

  • Michael S


    Unlikable characters, bad decisions, truly memorable dialogue and a biting mean-streak all amount to the classic dark comedy that is Danny Boyle's directorial debut. The unmistakable style and energy of his later work is on display and it's interesting in and of itself to… More

  • Dan S


    An unsettling, well-made slice of horror meets drama concerning three roommates who find their newly fourth dead in his room with a suitcase full of money by his side. Instead of calling the police, they decide to do whatever they can to keep the money, even if it means disposing of… More

  • Mark W


    Before moving on to work with such lucrative film stars as Leonardo DiCaprio or reaching the Oscar winning heights of "Slumdog Millionaire", director Danny Boyle cut his teeth on this low-budget Scottish crime thriller - which still remains as one of his finest films to this… More

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

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Cast

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