Public Enemies

Public Enemies

America's Most Wanted.

Directed by Michael Mann

Produced by Universal Pictures, Relativity Media

2009140 min6.7 / 10

A historical crime drama about the cat-and-mouse pursuit between a charismatic Depression-era bank robber and the FBI, balancing Dillinger's outlaw appeal against the machinery of law enforcement closing in.

Depression-era bank robber John Dillinger's charm and audacity endear him to much of America's downtrodden public, but he's also a thorn in the side of J. Edgar Hoover and the fledgling FBI. Desperate to capture the elusive outlaw, Hoover makes Dillinger his first Public Enemy Number One and assigns his top agent, Melvin Purvis, the task of bringing him in dead or alive.

Where to watch

Questions people ask

  • Is Public Enemies violent? Yes. More violent than 88% of films.

  • Is Public Enemies scary? Yes. More frightening than 87% of films.

  • Does Public Enemies end with hope? Not especially. Less hopeful than 64% of films.

  • Is Public Enemies sad? Somewhat. More sad than 61% of films.

  • Is Public Enemies easy watching? Not especially. Less comforting than 61% of films.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

Written about

45/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this film gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

Familiar shape, done well.

Rarity40

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise42

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love55

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Everything like Public Enemies, and what each one shares →

Like Public Enemies

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as Public Enemies

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like Public Enemies, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like Public Enemies, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like Public Enemies, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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