HIGHLIGHTS
- Sleeping Dogs follows Roy’s challenging investigation, where a man on death row changes his story.
- The film explores themes of memory, guilt, and the consequences of digging too deep into the past.
- Before Russell Crowe was cast, Mel Gibson and Nicolas Cage were initially considered for the lead role of Sleeping Dogs.
Sleeping Dogs is a crime mystery thriller film based on E.O. Chirovici’s 2017 novel The Book of Mirrors.
The movie starred Russell Crowe as protagonist Roy Freeman and other notable actors like Karen Gillan, Tommy Flanagan, Lynn Gilmartin, and Marton Csokas.
The diverse origins of each cast member contribute to a rich tapestry of performances, enhancing the variety and depth of the movie’s plot.
The movie follows Roy, an ex-homicide detective with memory loss, who is forced to solve a brutal murder case that he can’t remember.
As Freeman delves into the investigation, he uncovers a sinister web of buried secrets and betrayals linked to his past.
Furthermore, it is Rated R for violent/bloody images, sexual content, and language.
Sleeping Dogs Received Mixed Reviews For Its Intense Mystery Centered On A Protagonist With Memory Loss
Sleeping Dogs
Memories, murder, and hidden truths connect in a collision of suspense.
Genre
CrimeMysteryThriller| Director | Adam Cooper |
| Writer | Adam Cooper, Bill Collage, E.O. Chirovici |
| Casts | Russell Crowe, Karen Gillan, Marton Csokas |
| Release Date | March 22, 2024 |
The movie got considerable attention and notable reviews from the audience just after its release.
The movie has received an IMDb rating of 6 out of 10, with most users praising the cast’s performance, especially Russell Crowe’s.
Likewise, on Rotten Tomatoes, this gripping crime thriller has received mixed ratings from the audience, ranging from 1.5/5 to 5/5 stars.
Take a look at the trailer here:
Famous American film critic Roger Ebert highlights Crowe’s performance as the film’s best aspect, but the overall film doesn’t quite meet expectations.
On the other hand, certain audience members believe the film could engage viewers with its compelling crime sequences and mystery.
One of the users gave this crime movie a 4/5 star and wrote,
The critics gave this movie a hard time and that wasn’t fair. True, it’s the kind of film that you don’t see too much these days unfortunately so maybe it’s a bit out of fashion. However, it has a proper story and actual acting by grown actors not robots or kids. No CGI either. A bit slow to get going and thriller fans will probably see the twist coming but worth a couple of hours of anyone’s time.
However, some audience members found the film to fall short of their expectations, hoping for thrills and mystery, like “Gone Girl” and “Seven.”
Though Sleeping Dogs May Not Feature A Grand Script, Its Exploration Of Trauma And Suspense Makes It Worth Watching
We can observe that director Adam Cooper has made considerable effort to craft a suspense-filled mystery thriller, even though it marks his directorial debut.
The movie presents some influential criminal records and investigation journeys, attracting the viewers of suspense enthusiasts.
Additionally, it intertwines the character’s trauma and guilt, revealing aspects of his troubled history.
In the opening scene, we observe Roy in his room struggling with memory loss due to Alzheimer’s, which leaves a profound impression on the audience.
An innocent man. A deadly secret. Watch #SleepingDogs and follow the clues: the clues are right under your nose. Available on digital April 9. pic.twitter.com/HEVdJG7isF
— TheAvenue.Film (@TheAvenue_Film) April 5, 2024
Moreover, Russell Crowe gives his best in the movie Sleeping Dogs, although the script lacks depth.
As we know Russell for his standout performances in the best movies, such as Gladiator and Robin Hood, there’s a sense that this time, Crowe may have selected a script that doesn’t fully showcase his talents.
Despite some shortcomings, the movie is worth watching for its intense suspense, mysterious journey, and cast performance.
