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Set It Off

  • 1996
  • R
  • 2h 3m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
20K
YOUR RATING
Vivica A. Fox, Jada Pinkett Smith, Queen Latifah, and Kimberly Elise in Set It Off (1996)
Home Video Trailer from New Line Home Entertainment
Play trailer2:19
2 Videos
46 Photos
CaperDark ComedyGangsterHeistPsychological DramaTragedyActionCrimeDramaRomance

Desperation drives four inner-city women to bank robbery in Los Angeles, then they start mistrusting each other.Desperation drives four inner-city women to bank robbery in Los Angeles, then they start mistrusting each other.Desperation drives four inner-city women to bank robbery in Los Angeles, then they start mistrusting each other.

  • Director
    • F. Gary Gray
  • Writers
    • Takashi Bufford
    • Kate Lanier
  • Stars
    • Jada Pinkett Smith
    • Queen Latifah
    • Vivica A. Fox
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.9/10
    20K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • F. Gary Gray
    • Writers
      • Takashi Bufford
      • Kate Lanier
    • Stars
      • Jada Pinkett Smith
      • Queen Latifah
      • Vivica A. Fox
    • 110User reviews
    • 27Critic reviews
    • 62Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 5 wins & 6 nominations total

    Videos2

    Set It Off
    Trailer 2:19
    Set It Off
    Essential Black Films of the 1990s
    Clip 1:14
    Essential Black Films of the 1990s
    Essential Black Films of the 1990s
    Clip 1:14
    Essential Black Films of the 1990s

    Photos46

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    + 39
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    Top Cast43

    Edit
    Jada Pinkett Smith
    Jada Pinkett Smith
    • Stony
    • (as Jada Pinkett)
    Queen Latifah
    Queen Latifah
    • Cleo
    Vivica A. Fox
    Vivica A. Fox
    • Frankie
    Kimberly Elise
    Kimberly Elise
    • Tisean
    John C. McGinley
    John C. McGinley
    • Detective Strode
    Blair Underwood
    Blair Underwood
    • Keith
    Vincent Baum
    • Jajuan
    Van Baum
    • Jajuan
    Chaz Lamar Shepherd
    Chaz Lamar Shepherd
    • Stevie
    • (as Chaz Lamar Shepard)
    Thomas Jefferson Byrd
    Thomas Jefferson Byrd
    • Luther
    • (as Thom Byrd)
    Charles Robinson
    Charles Robinson
    • Nate
    • (as Charlie Robinson)
    Ella Joyce
    Ella Joyce
    • Detective Waller
    Anna Maria Horsford
    Anna Maria Horsford
    • Ms. Wells
    Samantha MacLachlan
    • Ursula
    Samuel Monroe Jr.
    Samuel Monroe Jr.
    • Lorenz
    WC
    WC
    • Darnell
    Edmund L. Shaff
    • Mr. Zachery
    • (as Edmund Shaff)
    Natalie Desselle Reid
    Natalie Desselle Reid
    • Tanika
    • (as Natalie Desselle)
    • Director
      • F. Gary Gray
    • Writers
      • Takashi Bufford
      • Kate Lanier
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews110

    6.919.9K
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    10

    Featured reviews

    country21

    truthful and honest

    i thought Set it Off showed how versatile Queen Latifah is when it comes to acting. Having only seen her portrayed as attractive i was amazed at how well she took on the role of 'Cleo'. The movie as a whole i thought was good with a strong story line that held true to the end of the film. I applaud Queen Latifah she certainly has what it takes to do any role asked of her. She showed a different side of herself and it paid off. To you Queen Latifah well done. The other members of the cast also played their roles well especially Jada Pinkett. The story was a good one and even brought a little tear to my eye at the end. I think this is a film in which we can all learn something.
    10Critic-12

    This Movie Will Blow You Away

    I rented this movie expecting to see just another average gang related film about the Ghetto, but I was proved wrong. It ended with my eyes wide opened and my mouth to the floor. Set It Off is a very Dramatic film and the performances by the four women were done perfectly. Set It Off reached my heart and all my emotions. It starts off light, but ends deep and touching. There is no possible way you could leave from watching this movie without your eyes being flooded. -A heart-filled film that deserved more publicity than it received.
    will-108

    this movie shows us the possibility of what we might do

    This movie gives us a graphic insight into the possibility of what people might do under certain circumstances and situations. These young ladies' misfortunes in life have driven them to do something that otherwise would not have entered their minds: robbing a bank. Their participation in this criminal activity is a crying-out against the evils of their society and environment. In other words, they are saying "because of what you did to me...this is how I will respond". Anyone who has seen this film honestly knows that what they're doing is just as morally wrong as what has happened to each of them, but, for some deep-seated reason, we find ourselves rooting for them - even hoping that they get away with it. Each character reveals a problematic area in our working society: unfair employment and termination practices, inadequate childcare options, hindrances and distractions of the ghetto and other social plights and dilemmas.

    We may not agree with what these young ladies are doing but somehow we understand. (please see this movie...)
    8Lexuses71

    A Well Done Sleeper

    "Set it Off" is another brilliant little B sleeper by the talented F. Gary Gray. What sets this film apart from your routine crime caper/heist flick is that it features some very impressive and strong performances by Jada Pinkett-Smith (one of her very best roles) and Quen Latifah. Vivica Fox, Kimberly Elise and the underrated John C. McGinty were also quite effective in supporting roles. Blair Underwood, who I lilke, was sort of wasted as reverse eye candy. The love story sub plot was a bit if a distraction, only in a minor way. But at the core of this film was the bond between these ladies, all driven to rob banks for various reasons. What they all shared was their desperation. Instead of cliched cardboard characters, we are served pretty well fleshed out characters with as much depth as time allows. Some have mentioned they didn't like the ending, but I rather did. Queen Latifah was outstanding as a hardened career criminal. There is one scene where Jada's character stands up to her and it's tasty.

    All in all, a pretty dang good thriller film that should be seen. The performances are what elevates it above the norm for this genre.
    john.foulks

    Good Movie

    Being a Queen Latifah fan and also Jada Pinkett Smith , this movie was good, not all that great because of the typical sterotype saga of blacks robbing banks. I think one of the best scenes was when they were at work around the big round table portraying and imitating the Godfather, and of course when Queen Latifah met her dome in the hail of bullets after she rode past the bridge.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Queen Latifah's first leading role in a feature film and also her favorite role of all time.
    • Goofs
      While having dinner with Keith, Stony says she's never been to New York. Later when the women meeting the Godfather parody scene it's said that Stony is from the Bronx, this is because in true fashion of the mob each of the women are given nicknames. T.T is "T.T. from Detorit", Stony is "Stony from the Bronx", Cleo is "Cleomensa" and Frankie is the Don.
    • Quotes

      Lida 'Stony' Newsom: [singing on the roof] Frankie wanna blow-up a bank, UH! Frankie wanna rob a bank, UH!

    • Alternate versions
      In the Directors Cut, after Stoney attacks Detective Strode, a scene is inserted where Cleo, Frankie & Tisean comfort a grieving Stoney in her house.
    • Connections
      Featured in Bone Thugs-n-Harmony: Days of Our Livez (1996)
    • Soundtracks
      Flashlight
      Performed by Parliament

      Written by George Clinton (as Clinton)/Bernie Worrell (as Worrell)/Bootsy Collins (as Collins)

      Courtesy of Casablanca/Mercury Records

      By arrangement with PolyGram Film and TV Licensing

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    FAQ21

    • How long is Set It Off?Powered by Alexa
    • What are the differences between the Theatrical version and the Director's Cut?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 6, 1996 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Hasta el final
    • Filming locations
      • Biltmore Hotel - 506 S. Grand Avenue, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA(banker's party)
    • Production companies
      • New Line Cinema
      • Peak Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $9,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $36,461,139
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $8,812,105
      • Nov 10, 1996
    • Gross worldwide
      • $41,590,886
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 2h 3m(123 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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