The Ref (1994): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
The Ref is a 1994 comedy drama directed by Ted Demme, starring Kevin Spacey, Christine Baranski and Robert J. Steinmiller Jr.. It runs 1 hour 37 minutes and earned $11.4 million worldwide. Critics gave it 59 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 37m (97 min)
- Director
- Ted Demme
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Buena Vista Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Ref About?
The premise of The Ref without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A seasoned burglar’s meticulously planned heist is thrown into chaos when he’s forced to take refuge in the home of a constantly arguing couple living in suburban Connecticut. The unlikely trio finds themselves in a tense standoff, leading to a hilarious and unexpectedly touching story about family, relationships, and the possibility of second chances. Their lives become unexpectedly intertwined as they navigate a chaotic situation.
The Ref Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- christmas
- dysfunctional family
- marriage counselor
- extramarital affair
- unhappy marriage
- marital crisis
- thief
- hostage
- husband wife conflict
- dark comedy
- outburst
- plan gone wrong
+38 more Show fewer
- teenage boy
- home invasion
- mother in law daughter in law relationship
- father son relationship
- bound and gagged
- carjacking
- dysfunctional marriage
- dinner guest
- marital reconciliation
- selfishness
- connecticut
- rottweiler
- robbery
- stockholm syndrome
- police chief
- mother son relationship
- military school
- mansion
- manhunt
- ineptitude
- husband wife relationship
- christmas eve
- career criminal
- breaking and entering
- argument
- farce
- christmas movie
- passive aggressive behavior
- adulterous wife
- safe
- dog
- bitten by a dog
- police station
- theft
- small town
- boy
- lie
- painting
The Ref Cast
Kevin Spacey leads the cast, with Christine Baranski and Robert J. Steinmiller Jr.. Directed by Ted Demme; 10 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Ted Demme
Also Starring in The Ref
· 6 moreMore from Ted Demme
More films directed by Ted Demme, best-rated first: A Decade Under the Influence, Monument Ave., Beautiful Girls and Life.
The Ref Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Ref 59 on Metacritic.
-
Metacritic 59 Metascore
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 66% User score
See on TMDB
The Ref Plot Summary
What happens in The Ref from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In the charming town of Connecticut, where delicate snowflakes fluttered on Christmas Eve, Dr. Wong was conducting a marriage counseling session that peeled back the layers of the seemingly perfect Chasseur family. Lloyd (Kevin Spacey) and Caroline (Christine Baranski) found themselves entrenched in a bitter conflict, driven by Caroline’s recent infidelity, which ignited a firestorm of unresolved issues in their 15-year marriage. Their son, Jesse (portrayed by Robert J. Steinmiller Jr.), observed from a distance, his own struggles hidden beneath a facade of detachment.
Full summary
The whole story of The Ref, scene by scene
The Ref Box Office
The Ref grossed $11.4 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$11.4M
- US & Canada
- $11.4M
The Ref Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Ref.
How Well Do You Know The Ref?
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What act of infidelity strains Lloyd and Caroline's marriage?
Cars in The Ref
10 cars on screen, including the 1990 Ford LTD Crown Victoria and the 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
-
1990 Ford LTD Crown Victoria Important role -
1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee Important role -
1979 Chevrolet Caprice Classic Minor role -
1990 Lincoln Town Car Stretched Limousine Minor role
The Ref Also Known As
19 alternative titles, including “Hostile Hostages” and “Esto (no) es un secuestro”.
- Also known as
-
- Hostile Hostages
- Esto (no) es un secuestro
- O Árbitro
- El Árbitro
- No Panic - Gute Geiseln sind selten
- Осторожно, заложник
- C'eravamo tanto odiati
- Egy híján túsz
- Nezvaný host
- חטופים שכאלה
- Tel est pris qui croyait prendre
- Рефері
+7 more Show fewer
- Гадни заложници
- Spec
- 通天大盗
- Bossen
- Opasni taoci
- 사랑의 금고털이
- Absolut gisslan
Seen The Ref?
Movies Like The Ref
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Heist, Night Shift and The Town.
The Ref FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Ref, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Ref?
The Ref runs 1 hour 37 minutes (97 minutes).
When was The Ref released?
The Ref was released on March 11, 1994.
Who directed The Ref?
The Ref was directed by Ted Demme.
More films by Ted Demme Who is in the cast of The Ref?
The Ref stars Kevin Spacey, Christine Baranski and Robert J. Steinmiller Jr., among 10 credited actors.
How much did The Ref make at the box office?
The Ref grossed $11.4 million worldwide.
How is The Ref rated?
The Ref has 59 on Metacritic and 66% on TMDB.
Does The Ref have a post-credit scene?
No. The Ref has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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