---
title: "Uncut Gems"
year: 2019
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/uncut-gems"
fi1m_id: "uncut-gems"
imdb_id: "tt5727208"
tmdb_id: 473033
wikidata_id: "Q56312570"
fi1m_score: 85
critics_score: 83
critics_reviews: 15
published: "2026-09-16"
updated: "2026-10-06T12:12:28.320756+00:00"
region: "US"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Uncut Gems (2019)

Directed by Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie · 2h 16m · MPA R · Drama, Thriller, Crime

## Identity

Uncut Gems

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/uncut-gems
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** uncut-gems
- **IMDb ID:** tt5727208
- **TMDB ID:** 473033
- **Wikidata ID:** Q56312570
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5727208/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/473033, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q56312570

**Fi1m score: 85** · Critics 83 from 15 reviews

*In a sentence:* Adam Sandler makes us worry about a gambler we’d cross the street to avoid

> Adam Sandler makes a compulsive gambler maddeningly persuasive in this tightly controlled, punishingly noisy thriller. We recommend it, with a warning: the strain is deliberate, but the people around Howard do not always get the attention they deserve.

## Synopsis

In New York, diamond dealer Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler) is trying to keep his affairs moving while compulsive gambling makes them increasingly difficult to manage. He wants another win, and his fast talk helps him press ahead when his decisions cause trouble. Around him are Demany (LaKeith Stanfield), Julia De Flore (Julia Fox) and Dinah Ratner (Idina Menzel), all dealing with a man whose appetite for risk does not stay at work. Howard keeps betting and keeps talking, convinced that taking another chance can help him through the chaos he creates.

## Review

*Uncut Gems* is a gripping thriller about a man whose appetite for risk makes him exhausting company, and we recommend it with some caution. Directors Josh Safdie and Benny Safdie want us to understand the pleasure Howard Ratner gets from gambling, even while we can see how badly he manages his life. Their film keeps us close enough to share his excitement without making him admirable. At 136 minutes, that closeness becomes tiring, and there are stretches when a little distance would help.

Adam Sandler is the reason we stay. As the New York jewellery dealer, he makes fast talk sound like a practical means of getting past the next objection. The charm, anger and neediness arrive so close together that we cannot settle into a comfortable opinion of him. We found ourselves hoping his gambling would pay off, and were irritated with ourselves for it. That response comes from the confidence with which he plays Howard’s delusion; for a moment, taking another risk seems reasonable.

Darius Khondji’s claustrophobic cinematography keeps the surrounding bustle pressing against Howard, with little room for us to relax and take stock. The images can be flashy, but the close, crowded feeling does useful work: Howard seems unable to get clear of his own business. Sam Lisenco’s production design contributes to that crowded feeling, giving the jewellery business a grubby practicality that suits Howard and makes the surrounding commotion credible.

Ronald Bronstein and Benny Safdie cut the accumulating trouble into a rhythm that scarcely allows one problem to finish before another demands attention. We are kept busy catching up, which makes Howard’s rush to act feel horribly plausible. Daniel Lopatin’s electronic score gives his risky business an outsized importance, making it easier to understand why he finds this existence exciting. All that competing sound makes the simple business of getting someone to listen feel like an achievement.

The supporting performances give the film some welcome resistance to Howard’s frantic demands. Julia Fox as Julia De Flore and Idina Menzel as Dinah Ratner are sharp enough to suggest lives beyond his immediate needs. The writing does not pursue those lives with anything like the interest it gives his next risk, and we wanted more of both. The directors’ concentration on Howard makes sense, but it leaves some capable actors with too much reacting to do.

As a crime thriller, the film is unusually willing to let its central character be tiresome. It gets considerable black comedy from his insistence on pressing ahead, and the laughter never requires us to believe that he is harmless. The weakness is the repeated intensity: once another crisis becomes the expected response to the last one, some of the suspense starts to flatten. The film could occasionally let a scene breathe without suggesting Howard has suddenly acquired good judgement. Watch it when nobody needs a quiet evening.

*Fi1m score 85, published 16 September 2026.*

## What the critics say

Most critics strongly favour Uncut Gems, with praise centred on Adam Sandler’s performance as a compulsive gambler and jewellery dealer. The reviews repeatedly credit him with making the character’s desperation, anger and self-destructive behaviour compelling, while finding humour and vulnerability beneath the bluster. The Safdies’ tense direction also draws broad approval, with claustrophobic camerawork, immersive sound and a forceful score helping to convey the thrill and delusion of addiction.

The disagreement is chiefly about how much sustained pressure the film can bear before it becomes exhausting. Variety finds the experience singular but divisive, while Collider offers a sharper dissent, finding little reason to care about the shouting, self-destructive characters despite Sandler’s comic energy. The i Paper’s complaint that the filmmaking sometimes becomes too flashy is a milder reservation. The spread runs from enthusiastic praise to frustrated resistance, though even the sceptical reviews find value in Sandler’s performance.

## Straight answers

**Is Uncut Gems worth watching?**

*Uncut Gems* is worth watching for anyone who can stand 136 minutes in the company of an exhausting compulsive gambler, and we scored it 85. Adam Sandler makes Howard Ratner's fast talk so persuasive that we caught ourselves hoping his bets would pay off. The relentless noise and pile-up of crises are deliberate, and the strain does start to flatten the suspense before the end.

**How long is Uncut Gems, and what is it rated?**

*Uncut Gems* runs 2h 16m and is rated R by the MPA in the US. It is a drama and thriller film.

**Where can I watch Uncut Gems in the US?**

*Uncut Gems* is streaming on The Roku Channel in the US, and it is also available to rent from Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV from $2.99. It leaves The Roku Channel on 1 October. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How violent or frightening is Uncut Gems, and is it suitable for children?**

*Uncut Gems* is a UK 15 and US R crime thriller, and it is not suitable for children. The fear here is anxiety rather than gore: a New York jewellery dealer digging himself deeper into trouble, with the pressure kept up by claustrophobic camerawork and a loud, nagging score. Teenagers who can take strong language and a constant sense of dread will manage; the squeamish about stress will not.

**How does Uncut Gems compare to The Wages of Fear?**

*Uncut Gems* and [*The Wages of Fear*](https://film.one/film/the-wages-of-fear) are both deliberately gruelling thrillers in which money makes dangerous behaviour look sensible, and Clouzot's film is the tighter and more patient of the two. The Safdies keep every scene crowded and noisy so that Howard never gets clear of his own mess, while Clouzot builds dread slowly over long, careful miles. Pick *Uncut Gems* for exhausting modern compulsion, *The Wages of Fear* for suspense that takes its time.

**What should I watch after Uncut Gems?**

After *Uncut Gems*, try [*The Wages of Fear*](https://film.one/film/the-wages-of-fear) (1953, Fi1m 90): Money makes dangerous work seem sensible in another deliberately gruelling thriller. Then [*Punch-Drunk Love*](https://film.one/film/punch-drunk-love) (2002, Fi1m 84): Adam Sandler’s anger and neediness find a stranger, more tender outlet; and [*Good Time*](https://film.one/film/good-time) (2017, Fi1m 82): Another desperate hustler keeps moving, certain the next bad decision will help.

### Reviews we read (24)

- **Little White Lies**, Hannah Strong (5/5/5): Sandler delivers a dazzling, hypnotic turn as the fatalistic jeweler at the heart of this precision-engineered anxiety attack of a film. The Safdies craft a stylish, sad, funny and bleak masterpiece of technical finesse and unrelenting creativity. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/uncut-gems)
- **Time Out**, Joshua Rothkopf (5/5): The Safdies deliver an electrifying, abrasive triumph that develops genuine affection for its schemers. Sandler gives a never-better, magically right performance in a high-stakes, autobiographical-feeling portrait of manic urban survival and Jewish New York life. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/uncut-gems)
- **The Guardian**, Peter Bradshaw (90/100, inferred): The critic praises this as the year's most exciting film, a sensationally good high-energy thriller with a glorious career-best performance from Adam Sandler as a fast-talking, gambling-addicted diamond dealer. The Safdie brothers create gripping black-comic chaos with pure energy and grungy voltage. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/jan/09/uncut-gems-review-adam-sandler-idina-menzel)
- **Vulture** (90/100, inferred): The Safdies deliver their most manic film, giving Sandler the ultimate role that fuses anger, need, and self-destructiveness. It is an awesome, freaky, hell of a marathon that is not easy but rewarding, with standout support from the cast and cinematography. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/2019/12/uncut-gems-review-safdie-brothers-movie-with-adam-sandler.html)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Justin Chang (85/100, inferred): Chang calls it an invigorating, maddening movie with Sandler giving the performance of his career in a razor-sharp drama directed with relentless tension by the Safdies. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2019-12-11/uncut-gems-review-adam-sandler)
- **Radio Times**, Jeremy Aspinall (4/5): Sandler is a revelation as the incorrigible motormouth jeweler in this breathless thrill-ride of a gambling addiction and collapsing house of cards. The Safdies evoke 1970s classics with claustrophobic visuals, an incisive electro score and a nerve-jangling climax. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-xh05il/uncut-gems/)
- **RogerEbert.com**, Sheila O'Malley (80/100, inferred): The critic praises the film's immersion in the protagonist's addictive, chaotic world and Sandler's performance as a gambling addict jeweler, highlighting how it captures the thrill and delusion of addiction without being a cautionary tale. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/uncut-gems-movie-review-2019)
- **The i Paper**, Saskia Baron (★★★★): Hails the edge-of-the-seat filmmaking with dazzling camerawork and an immersive soundtrack. Singles out Sandler's career-changing performance as a compulsive gambler and jewellery dealer, while noting it is too flashy at times but still one wild ride. [Read](https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/uncut-gems-review-adam-sandler-cast-safdie-brothers-384330)
- **The New Yorker**, Richard Brody (75/100, inferred): Brody lauds Sandler's frantic performance and the Safdies' audacious blend of genres in a recklessly accomplished film that is exhilarating and awe-inspiring. [Read](https://www.newyorker.com/goings-on-about-town/movies/uncut-gems)
- **Variety**, Peter Debruge (60/100, inferred): Debruge describes it as a delirious, high-intensity character study with Sandler's most unhinged performance, a singular but exhausting and divisive experience. [Read](https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews/uncut-gems-review-adam-sandler-1203320276/)
- **Empire**, Nick de Semlyen: Praises the Safdie brothers' film as a mesmerizing thriller that captures its world vividly with a snaky plot for maximum tension. Singles out Adam Sandler's layered, career-best performance as a major reason it works. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/uncut-gems/)
- **Evening Standard**, Charlotte O'Sullivan: Calls the film a ferociously involving New York thriller with a sexy-scuzzy, seriously good performance from Sandler. Notes some shortcomings in supporting roles and a generic, sentimental ending, concluding it is over-valued but not by much. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/uncut-gems-review-bobby-dazzler-sandler-could-cash-in-at-the-oscars-a4331151.html)
- **IndieWire**, Eric Kohn: Sandler delivers his most contemptible character in a 30-year career in the Safdies' abrasive, deranged follow-up to Good Time. The film is a riveting high-wire act and hypnotic blast that pairs cosmic visuals with gritty thriller energy. [Read](https://www.indiewire.com/2019/08/uncut-gems-review-adam-sandler-1202170245/)
- **Screen Daily**: The Safdies unite with Sandler for jittery, almost unbearably tense effect in a cracking, jangling panic attack of a movie. Sandler gives a career-highlight performance that transcends even Punch-Drunk Love, though the nervous tension over two hours is bracing yet exhausting. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/uncut-gems-toronto-review/5142809.article)
- **Sight and Sound**, Trevor Johnston: The critic hails the Safdies' most polished yet chaotically energetic effort as a magnificent black comedy and signature achievement. Sandler's fast-talking hustler is compulsively watchable and perfectly cast in an immersive, unrelenting portrait of risk and delusion. [Read](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/uncut-gems-review-safdie-brothers-hit-sweet-spot-with-this-manic-thrill-ride)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, Todd McCarthy: The critic calls it a career high for Sandler and the Safdies in a sparkling comedy-drama about a compulsive gambler and risk-taker. Sandler's brash, obnoxious jeweler performance anchors the frantic, overwhelming but credible human story. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/uncut-gems-review-1235941/)
- **Den of Geek**, David Crow (5/5): The critic praises it as a masterpiece with a career-defining performance from Adam Sandler in a uniquely slick crime drama that is rascally, weird, and addictive. They single out Sandler's electric portrayal of the gambler Howard Ratner for praise. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/uncut-gems-review-adam-sandler/)
- **HeyUGuys**, Luke Channell (5/5): The critic calls the film a masterclass in anxiety-inducing filmmaking with a relentlessly noisy sound design and pounding score that captures the protagonist's chaotic life. Sandler's multifaceted, career-best performance as the fast-talking jeweler is singled out as riveting and the key element making the character authentic and relatable. [Read](https://www.heyuguys.com/uncut-gems-lff-2019-review/)
- **Digital Spy**, Ian Sandwell (80/100, inferred): The review finds it an exhausting yet compelling thriller with a career-best performance from Adam Sandler that keeps viewers hooked despite the stress. They praise the transformative acting but note it may not be for everyone due to its intensity and length. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a30428456/uncut-gems-review-netflix/)
- **Polygon**, Emily Heller (80/100, inferred): The Safdies craft a feature-length panic attack full of overlapping calamities and tension that leaves viewers overwhelmed yet engaged. Sandler's best-career performance and the directors' claustrophobic style make Howard's self-destructive spiral compelling despite its exhausting nature. [Read](https://www.polygon.com/reviews/2019/12/13/21020507/uncut-gems-review-adam-sandler-josh-benny-safdie-idina-menzel-kevin-garnett/)
- **Collider**, Matt Goldberg (C-): The film is an exhausting grind of self-destructive, yelling characters with little to root for. Sandler's energetic, comic performance as the lead is the main saving grace. [Read](https://collider.com/uncut-gems-review-adam-sandler/)
- **Deadline**, Pete Hammond: The critic lauds Sandler's intense, exhausting yet exhilarating performance as the ultimate high-wire act in a relentless, compelling film by the Safdie brothers that captures the essence of New York. [Read](https://deadline.com/video/uncut-gems-review-adam-sandler-safdie-brothers-a24/)
- **NME**, Alex Flood (5): The critic hails it as proof of the 'Re-Sandler-ssance' with Sandler never better in an anxiety-inducing heart-attack of a movie that is gripping throughout. They single out the tense direction and Sandler's versatile performance for praise. [Read](https://www.nme.com/reviews/film-reviews/uncut-gems-review-adam-sandler-2595412)
- **The Wrap**, Steve Pond: The critic praises the Safdie brothers' chaotic storytelling and Sandler's convincing performance as a desperate hustler, highlighting the film's immersive, adrenalized atmosphere and strong ensemble. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/uncut-gems-film-review-adam-sandler-safdie-brothers-kevin-garnett/)

## Details

- **Director:** Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie
- **Director:** Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie
- **Writer:** Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie, Ronald Bronstein
- **Cinematography:** Darius Khondji
- **Editor:** Ronald Bronstein, Benny Safdie
- **Music:** Oneohtrix Point Never
- **Production design:** Sam Lisenco
- **Costume design:** Nawaal Hendriks, Miyako Bellizzi
- **Producer:** Scott Rudin, Sebastian Bear-McClard, Eli Bush
- **Cast:** Adam Sandler as Howard Ratner; LaKeith Stanfield as Demany; Julia Fox as Julia De Flore; Kevin Garnett as Kevin Garnett; Idina Menzel as Dinah Ratner; Eric Bogosian as Arno Moradian; Judd Hirsch as Gooey; Keith William Richards as Phil
- **Runtime:** 2h 16m
- **Certificate (MPA):** R
- **Release (the US):** 25 December 2019
- **Genres:** Drama, Thriller, Crime
- **Budget:** $19 million
- **Box office:** $50 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovoJXdtPB-o

## Where to watch in the US

- The Roku Channel: free, hd, leaving 2026-10-01
- Amazon Prime Video: rent $2.99, sd
- Apple TV: rent $3.99, hd
- Apple TV: buy $12.99, sd
- Amazon Prime Video: buy $12.99, sd

*Checked 2026-09-16.*

Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, AZ, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, ID, IE, IL, IN, IS, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PE, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, SK, TH, TR, UA, US, VN, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## If you liked this

- *California Split* (1974): A looser gambling comedy that understands the pleasure of making things worse.
- *The Wages of Fear* (1953), Fi1m 90: Money makes dangerous work seem sensible in another deliberately gruelling thriller. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-wages-of-fear.md)
- *Pusher* (1996): A dealer’s debts keep mounting in a crime film with little breathing space.
- *Punch-Drunk Love* (2002), Fi1m 84: Adam Sandler’s anger and neediness find a stranger, more tender outlet. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/punch-drunk-love.md)
- *Good Time* (2017), Fi1m 82: Another desperate hustler keeps moving, certain the next bad decision will help. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/good-time.md)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/uncut-gems