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Drama thriller

Small Crimes (2017): Ratings & Plot

Small Crimes (2017) movie poster

Small Crimes is a 2017 drama thriller directed by E.L. Katz. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes. Critics gave it 65% on Rotten Tomatoes and 60 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.8/10.

IMDb rating
5.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
65%
Echo Score
61
Metascore
60
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Small Crimes (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 30m (90 min)
Director
E.L. Katz
Genres
Drama , Thriller , Crime
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Small Crimes About?

The premise of Small Crimes without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Following a prison sentence for attempted murder, a former police officer returns to his hometown hoping to rebuild his life. However, he finds himself caught in a dangerous situation involving a corrupt sheriff, a relentless district attorney, and a powerful mob boss, all seeking to exploit his past. As he navigates this web of deceit and violence, he must confront the shadows of his past to survive.

Small Crimes Themes & Keywords

· 2 tags
  • prison
  • father kills son
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Crew

The Director of Small Crimes

Directed by E.L. Katz.

From the director

More from E.L. Katz

More films directed by E.L. Katz, best-rated first: Cheap Thrills, Azrael and ABCs of Death 2.

Full filmography
Ratings

Small Crimes Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Small Crimes 65% on Rotten Tomatoes and 60 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 61/100, strongest in character & emotion (65) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).

61 /100

Small Crimes Echo Score Breakdown

Small Crimes presents a mixture of stylish noir visuals and uneven execution. The film’s direction offers striking compositions and a restrained color palette but sometimes feels murky and pacing lapses create dead stretches. Characters are anchored by a committed lead performance but secondary motivations can be unclear. The narrative weaves a bleak, uncompromising trajectory that ties together in a satisfying conclusion despite occasional convolutions. This combination of strong atmosphere and inconsistent pacing yields a moderate overall impact that may appeal to fans of character-driven thrillers.

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

  • Art & Craft 60

    In terms of art and craft, Small Crimes displays a lean visual style with crisp framing and an understated color palette. The cinematography receives consistent praise for its noir ambiance, though the direction can sometimes meander and editing choices allow for lingering pauses. These strengths and weaknesses result in a modestly engaging aesthetic presentation.

  • Character & Emotion 65

    When it comes to character and emotion, the film is anchored by a compelling lead performance that conveys a sense of weariness and regret. The protagonist’s arc offers nuanced moments, yet supporting characters occasionally lack clear motivation. The emotional resonance fluctuates between strong vulnerability and moments of detachment, producing an uneven but often engaging character study.

  • Story & Flow 60

    In terms of story and flow, Small Crimes weaves a bleak narrative that unfolds through a series of tense encounters and revelations. The plot’s antihero focus and unexpected twists generate intrigue, but convoluted exchanges and occasional pacing lulls undermine narrative momentum. Despite these inconsistencies, the storyline ultimately resolves in a cohesive manner, offering a largely satisfying arc.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    When considering sensory experience, the film benefits from a moody soundtrack and subtle sound design that enhance its noir atmosphere. The visual cohesion is reinforced by a restrained palette and period details. However, moments of dead air and tonal shifts can disrupt immersion. Overall, the sensory elements contribute effectively to the film’s brooding mood.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    Regarding the rewatch factor, Small Crimes offers intriguing performances and occasional narrative surprises that may reward a second viewing. The atmospheric style and thematic depth provide elements worth revisiting, but uneven pacing and a relentlessly bleak tone could limit broader rewatch appeal. As a result, the film maintains moderate but not enduring repeat value.

Plot

Small Crimes Plot Summary

What happens in Small Crimes from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Former cop Joe Denton (Joe Denton) finally sees a glimmer of freedom after spending six long years behind bars for crimes committed while entangled with a powerful organization. Known infamously as the “slash cop,” his brutal attack on District Attorney Phil Coakley has left a mark on both his life and reputation. Returning to his modest home, Denton is greeted by his elderly parents, who are not at all pleased with their son’s tarnished past.

As he seeks redemption, Denton finds himself entangled in an online share with his ex-wife, whose cold demeanor and veiled threats plunge him deeper into despair. Undeterred, he ventures out one night to a familiar local bar, where he reconnects with Scotty, the brother of his deceased partner, who extends a hand in support.

Full summary

The whole story of Small Crimes, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Small Crimes Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Small Crimes.

SMALL CRIMES | Official Trailer HD | Netflix | E.L. Katz
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Small Crimes?

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

What crime did Joe Denton commit that led to his imprisonment?

Cars

Cars in Small Crimes

20 cars on screen, including the 2002 Cadillac Escalade and the 1989 Ford F-150.

All 20 cars
  • 2002 Cadillac Escalade in Small Crimes 2002 Cadillac Escalade Important role
  • 1989 Ford F-150 in Small Crimes 1989 Ford F-150 Important role
  • 1991 Chevrolet Caprice in Small Crimes 1991 Chevrolet Caprice Minor role
  • 1988 Chevrolet K-1500 in Small Crimes 1988 Chevrolet K-1500 Minor role
Details

Small Crimes Also Known As

14 alternative titles, including “Pequenos Delitos” and “פשעים קטנים”.

Also known as
  • Pequenos Delitos
  • פשעים קטנים
  • Delitos menores
  • Pequeños Delitos
  • 굿맨 조
  • Μικρά Εγκλήματα
  • Мелкие преступления
  • 小奸小恶
  • Малки престъпления
  • Ufak Suçlar
  • Drobne zbrodnie
  • 小奸小惡
+2 more
  • สมอล ไครม์
  • Tội Vặt

Seen Small Crimes?

FAQ

Small Crimes FAQ: Runtime, Release Date & Director

Runtime, release date, director, ratings and post-credit scenes of Small Crimes, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Small Crimes?

Small Crimes runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).

When was Small Crimes released?

Small Crimes was released on April 28, 2017.

Who directed Small Crimes?

Small Crimes was directed by E.L. Katz.

More films by E.L. Katz

How is Small Crimes rated?

Small Crimes has 5.8/10 on IMDb, 65% on Rotten Tomatoes, 60 on Metacritic and 54% on TMDB.

Does Small Crimes have a post-credit scene?

No. Small Crimes has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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