7.8/10
76% Critics / 84% Audience
Released in 2019, The Gentlemen marked director Guy Ritchie’s return to the sharp, fast-talking British gangster style he popularized in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch. Written, directed, and produced by Ritchie — alongside story collaborators Ivan Atkinson and Marn Davies — the film blends crime, comedy, and action into a stylish underworld drama filled with double-crosses, blackmail, and dark humor.
The all-star cast includes Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Henry Golding, Michelle Dockery, Jeremy Strong, Eddie Marsan, Colin Farrell, and Hugh Grant. At its core, the story follows an American marijuana kingpin in England who is looking to sell his empire — but in the world of organized crime, nothing is ever that simple.
The Gentlemen (2019) – Official Movie Trailer
Plot Overview
Michael “Mickey” Pearson (Matthew McConaughey), born into poverty in the U.S., earns a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford. There, he begins selling marijuana and eventually drops out, building a cannabis empire under aristocratic estates whose owners need cash to maintain their properties. Now looking to retire peacefully with his wife Rosalind, Mickey seeks to sell his business for £400 million to American billionaire Matthew Berger (Jeremy Strong).
However, rival players like Dry Eye (Henry Golding), an ambitious underboss in a Chinese crime syndicate, attempt to undercut the deal. As schemes unfold, Mickey’s right-hand man Raymond (Charlie Hunnam) must navigate blackmail from sleazy tabloid editor Big Dave (Eddie Marsan) and a morally flexible private investigator Fletcher (Hugh Grant).
The chaos escalates with unexpected alliances, violent confrontations, and a battle of wits that determines who will ultimately control Mickey’s empire. The plot is layered with subterfuge, from MMA-trained YouTubers called “The Toddlers” to shadowy Russian connections, all culminating in a series of sharp reversals and darkly comedic payoffs.
Cast & Characters
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Matthew McConaughey – Michael “Mickey” Pearson
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Charlie Hunnam – Raymond Smith
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Henry Golding – “Dry Eye”
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Jeremy Strong – Matthew Berger
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Colin Farrell – “The Coach”
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Hugh Grant – Fletcher
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Michelle Dockery – Rosalind Pearson
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Eddie Marsan – “Big” Dave
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Tom Wu – “Lord” George
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Bugzy Malone – Ernie
Production Background
Originally announced in 2018 under the working title Toff Guys, the project was presented at the Cannes Film Festival before Miramax acquired distribution rights for over $30 million. Principal photography began in November 2018, with filming locations including West London Film Studios, Longcross Studios, The Princess Victoria pub in Shepherd’s Bush, and Brompton Cemetery.
The film went through multiple working titles, including Bush, before settling on The Gentlemen. STX Entertainment later acquired U.S. distribution rights.
Release & Box Office Performance
The Gentlemen premiered at the Curzon Mayfair Cinema on December 3, 2019, followed by a theatrical release in the UK on January 1, 2020, and in the U.S. on January 24, 2020. The film earned $115 million worldwide against a $22 million budget, making it a commercial success.
Its box office run included:
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Opening weekend (U.S.): $10.6 million
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Second weekend: $6 million
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Total domestic gross: $36.5 million
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International gross: $78.7 million
Critical Reception
Critics generally praised The Gentlemen for its snappy dialogue, witty humor, and ensemble performances, particularly Hugh Grant’s transformation into the sleazy yet charming Fletcher. Some reviewers noted the film’s unapologetically politically incorrect tone as a return to Ritchie’s roots, though others found it overly reliant on familiar tropes from his earlier work.
Netflix Spin-Off Series
In 2024, Netflix released a spin-off series also titled The Gentlemen, starring Theo James alongside Vinnie Jones, Kaya Scodelario, and Giancarlo Esposito. Overseen by Guy Ritchie, the series expands the world of the original film while introducing new characters and plotlines, blending the same mix of sharp wit and underworld drama.
Is The Gentlemen Worth Watching?
For fans of Guy Ritchie’s early crime comedies, The Gentlemen is a welcome return to form. It delivers a mix of cunning underworld politics, quick-fire banter, and stylized violence, all presented with Ritchie’s trademark editing and narrative flair. Whether you’re drawn to the clever twists, memorable performances, or the high-fashion-meets-street-crime aesthetic, it’s a satisfying watch for crime drama enthusiasts.
Conclusion
The Gentlemen stands as both a nostalgic nod to Guy Ritchie’s earlier classics and a fresh, modern take on the British gangster genre. Bolstered by a stellar cast, tight writing, and a web of double-crosses, the film cements its place as one of Ritchie’s most entertaining works in recent years. Its continued life through the 2024 Netflix series only underscores the strength of its world-building and enduring appeal.
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