'Greedy People' Reviews: "This unique comedic crime thriller starts off deceptively sunny and quirky, only to plunge into much darker territory as it unfolds"

        On August 23, 2024, Lionsgate releases 'Greedy People', which has earned predominantly positive reviews from critics, currently holding at 70% on Rotten Tomatoes. In the film, "Residents of a small island town navigate a murder and the discovery of a million dollars, a series of increasingly bad decisions upend the once peaceful community." The ensemble cast includes Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Lily James, Simon Rex, Uzo Aduba, Himesh Patel, Tim Blake Nelson, and Joey Lauren Adams. But what did the critics say?

        Matt Donato of Collider writes, "Greedy People is somewhat tonally amiss, but not long enough for the experience to self-destruct. It's a fine working backward whodunit from the inside out." Continuing, "Patel crushes as the anxious straight man, Gordon-Levitt's obnoxious metalhead keeps us on our toes, and James lets curiosity get the better of Paige. Then there are the supporting roles, like Tim Blake Nelson's shrimp-peddling Wallace Chetlo — the deceased's husband — or Simon Rex's handsy masseuse. Jim Gaffigan and José María Yazpik play hired killers with territory boundary issues. Uzo Aduba grounds tension as the leading officer who could spoil Will and Terry's quickly unraveling scheme. Actors fall into rhythm as Providence's inhabitants start pointing blame in all directions, tiptoeing around traps, or stumbling into them with catastrophic results. Given the sheer number of roles, I'd argue that some characters got short-changed screen time — but what's available is a hoot."

       Cody Dericks of Next Best Picture notes, "Pitch-black humor and a grim tone can be perversely enjoyable, but it’s mostly tiring here." Adding, "The cast list boasts an impressive array of respectable actors, all delivering fantastic performances, regardless of their screen time. Patel leads the film with a likable, often pitiable energy, which is necessary to keep the audience invested in his story despite his quick turn into disrepute. James is right by his side, and even when she’s not fully aware of Will’s misdeeds, Paige’s steadfastness and willingness to trust him is made fully understandable by James’ natural magnetism. She has been one of our most reliably charming actors for years, and here, her screen presence makes her the heart of the movie. She’s the true brains of her household, and James brings depth to what seems, at first, like a fairly shallow character, previewing just how involved in the plot she will eventually become without fully showing her hand too early."

        Frank Scheck of Hollywood Reporter was less impressed, stating, "Unfortunately, the proceedings become increasingly tiresome the more the characters are killed off, with the result that despite an impressive cast, the film comes to feel like a Coen Brothers rip-off." Adding, "Despite the hard-working efforts of its impressively game ensemble, Greedy People fails to fulfill its considerable ambitions. It lives up to its title by greedily attempting to have its comic cake and eat its violence, too"

       Louisa Moore of Screen Zealots says, "This is one of the few recent films I’ve seen that actually surprised me at least a half dozen times. This unique comedic crime thriller starts off deceptively sunny and quirky, only to plunge into much darker territory as it unfolds."

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