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Mystery thriller

Marlowe (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

Marlowe (2023) movie poster

Marlowe is a 2023 mystery thriller directed by Neil Jordan, starring Liam Neeson as Philip Marlowe, Diane Kruger and Daniela Melchior. It is based on The Black-Eyed Blonde by John Banville. It runs 1 hour 50 minutes and earned $6.4 million worldwide on a $22.3 million budget. Critics gave it 25% on Rotten Tomatoes and 41 on Metacritic. Stream it on Amazon Prime Video and Fawesome, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

Rotten Tomatoes
25%
worldwide gross
$6.4M
Echo Score
53
Metascore
41
Marlowe (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 50m (110 min)
Director
Neil Jordan
Genres
Mystery , Thriller , Crime
Original language
English
Budget
$22.3M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Marlowe About?

The premise of Marlowe without spoilers, adapted from The Black-Eyed Blonde by John Banville. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

In 1930s Los Angeles, private investigator Philip Marlowe accepts a complex case involving the disappearance of a woman’s former lover. The missing man is connected to a wealthy heiress and her powerful Hollywood family. As Marlowe investigates, he navigates a dangerous world of secrets and lies, finding himself caught in a perilous game with deadly consequences and uncovering a tangled web of deceit.

Marlowe Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • philip marlowe character
  • private detective
  • neo noir
  • year 1939
  • character name as title
  • 1930s
  • triggerman
  • private eye
  • private investigator
  • california
  • missing person
  • private club
+38 more
  • los angeles california
  • reference to marlowe's doctor faustus
  • reference to christopher marlowe
  • faking one's death
  • mexico
  • dia de los muertos
  • tijuana mexico
  • world war one veteran
  • movie industry
  • mysterious woman
  • bartender
  • reference to sir lancelot
  • police file
  • head run over by a car
  • hit and run
  • massage parlor
  • reference to james joyce
  • reference to queen elizabeth i
  • tea
  • prop master
  • filmmaking
  • reference to joel mccrea
  • actress
  • dressing room
  • breaking and entering
  • mexican
  • grammar book
  • crime boss
  • chauffeur
  • reference to the hunchback of notre dame
  • police station
  • kidnapping
  • ambassador
  • tailing a car
  • following someone
  • mistress
  • throat slit
  • rape victim
Where to watch

Where to Watch Marlowe

Stream it on Amazon Prime Video and Fawesome, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Marlowe Cast & Characters

Liam Neeson leads the cast as Philip Marlowe, with Diane Kruger as Clare Cavendish and Daniela Melchior as Lynn Peterson. Directed by Neil Jordan; 11 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Marlowe

· 7 more
Ratings

Marlowe Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Marlowe 25% on Rotten Tomatoes and 41 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 53/100, strongest in art & craft (58) and weakest in rewatch factor (45).

53 /100

Marlowe Echo Score Breakdown

Marlowe delivers a modestly crafted neo-noir that largely falls short of its ambitions. Critics and users agree that the film suffers from uneven direction and a lack of fresh storytelling, while its visual elements occasionally provide a stylistic nod to the genre. Performances are described as largely flat, with occasional praise for Liam Neeson’s presence but little chemistry overall. The cumulative effect is a movie that offers brief moments of interest but struggles to sustain engagement, limiting its appeal on repeat viewings.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 58

    The film’s art and craft are competent yet unremarkable. Reviewers note decent production values, such as effective set dressing and occasional striking neon lighting, but also describe the overall visual execution as bland and under‑energised. Directional choices receive mixed remarks, with some credit given to nuanced camera work while others call the style mechanical. Consequently, the cinematic presentation provides occasional flair but fails to achieve a consistently compelling aesthetic.

  • Character & Emotion 55

    Characterisation in Marlowe is generally perceived as flat and lacking depth. Critics frequently mention Liam Neeson’s limited charisma and a noticeable absence of chemistry with co‑stars. Some viewers, however, recognize brief moments where performances feel engaging or nuanced. Despite these isolated positives, the majority of feedback points to underdeveloped motivations and uninspiring portrayals, resulting in an overall impression of mediocre emotional resonance.

  • Story & Flow 50

    The narrative structure is widely regarded as derivative and sluggish. Several reviewers cite a ponderous plot, predictable twists, and a failure to innovate within noir conventions. While a few comments acknowledge occasional humor or modest intrigue, the dominant sentiment highlights a lack of originality and uneven pacing. This combination produces a story that struggles to maintain momentum and leaves many viewers disengaged.

  • Sensory Experience 58

    Sensory elements offer intermittent highlights amid an otherwise subdued experience. Visual motifs such as smoky rooms and neon signage receive praise for reinforcing the noir atmosphere, yet the overall sensory design is described as diffused and cheap. Soundtrack and sound design are not prominently noted, suggesting they neither enhance nor detract significantly. The result is a mixed sensory impression with flashes of style that are not consistently sustained.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    Rewatch potential for Marlowe appears limited according to most feedback. Critics and many users label the film as boring, flat, and lacking lasting appeal, indicating low incentive for repeat viewings. A minority of viewers find certain scenes or thematic undercurrents rewarding, but these are outweighed by the prevalent view of the movie as a one‑time experience with limited replay value.

Plot

Marlowe Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Marlowe from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In 1939 Los Angeles, renowned private detective Philip Marlowe is approached by the elegant heiress Clare Cavendish to locate her mysterious missing lover, Nico Peterson, a prop master associated with the Pacific Film Studios. Marlowe’s investigation takes a dark twist when he quickly discovers that Peterson is deceased—his life brutally cut short after a night of heavy drinking that resulted in an accident outside of the exclusive and opulent Corbata Club, where his head was tragically crushed by a passing vehicle.

Full summary

The whole story of Marlowe, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Marlowe Box Office & Budget

Marlowe grossed $6.4 million worldwide on a $22.3 million budget, 29% of what it cost. $4.4 million came from the US and Canada and $2 million (32%) from the rest of the world.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$6.4M

29% of its budget back

US & Canada
$4.4M
International
$2M
Budget
$22.3M
US & Canada 68% Rest of the world 32%
Videos

Marlowe Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 clip.

Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official UK Trailer
  • Clip "Tell Me About You And Mr Peter's..." Extended Preview
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Marlowe?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who hires Philip Marlowe to find her missing lover?

Details

Marlowe Also Known As

21 alternative titles, including “מארלו” and “מרלו”.

Also known as
  • מארלו
  • מרלו
  • Sombras De Un Crimen
  • 探偵マーロウ
  • 탐정 말로
  • Марлоу
  • Detektyw Marlowe
  • 马洛
  • Detective Marlowe
  • תעלומת הבלונדינית שחורת העיניים
  • Detektiv Marlowe
  • Sombras de um Crime
+9 more
  • Thám Tử Marlowe
  • 馬羅
  • Ντετέκτιβ Μάρλοου
  • Marlou
  • مارلو
  • Marlowe: O Caso da Loira Misteriosa
  • Détective Marlowe
  • 神探營救
  • Detektív Marlowe

Seen Marlowe?

FAQ

Marlowe FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and the book behind it of Marlowe, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Marlowe?

Marlowe runs 1 hour 50 minutes (110 minutes).

When was Marlowe released?

Marlowe was released on February 15, 2023.

Who directed Marlowe?

Marlowe was directed by Neil Jordan.

More films by Neil Jordan

Who is in the cast of Marlowe?

Marlowe stars Liam Neeson as Philip Marlowe, Diane Kruger as Clare Cavendish and Daniela Melchior as Lynn Peterson, among 11 credited actors.

Where can I watch Marlowe?

In the US, Marlowe is streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Fawesome and Kanopy and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How much did Marlowe make at the box office?

Marlowe grossed $6.4 million worldwide ($4.4 million domestic, $2 million international) on a budget of $22.3 million.

How is Marlowe rated?

Marlowe has 25% on Rotten Tomatoes, 41 on Metacritic, 57% on TMDB and 2.4/5 on Letterboxd.

Is Marlowe based on a book?

Yes. Marlowe is adapted from The Black-Eyed Blonde by John Banville.

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