Audiences may only gather a sense of the character and what drives him, however, the film would rather just tell Mesrine’s incredible story than try to understand what motivates his every crime.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Aug 9, 2023

Vincent Cassel is suitably charismatic, volatile and dangerous in the lead role.

| Nov 22, 2020

Despite its broad characterizations and some confusing chronology, Mesrine: Killer Instinct still manages to entertain.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Oct 28, 2019

Killer Instinct is at most enjoyable as a classic, French-style character study that seeks to show us Mesrine in all his aspects.

| May 17, 2018

Ultimately feels more like a collection of cool anecdotes than a story.

Full Review | Apr 28, 2015

Mesrine: Killer Instinct is a triumphant gangster film. It's exhilarating throughout thanks to a masterful performance by Vincent Cassel and some expertly staged action scenes. Comparing this one to Goodfellas would not be a stretch.

| Original Score: 8/10 | Nov 9, 2013

| Original Score: 4/5 | Nov 16, 2011

Four hours of French gangsters may not sound like a cinematic joy, but with Euro-star Vincent Cassel in the lead role, the movie is utterly hypnotic.

| Original Score: 4.5/5 | Aug 12, 2011

The effect of Richet's hyperventilating filmmaking is akin to that of an extended-play trailer.

Full Review | Jan 21, 2011

In the moment it's thrilling stuff, but strung together over hours it becomes clear that [Richet] has absolutely nothing to say about Mesrine.

| Original Score: B- | Jan 11, 2011

... crackles with tension and violence, driven by [Vincent] Cassel's powerhouse performance.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 6, 2010

This masterpiece combines the best of 'Scarface,' 'The Godfather' and 'Bonnie and Clyde'. Vincent Cassel tackles the demanding lead role and is simply magnificent. There is no shortage of action, violence and ...

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Oct 29, 2010

It may not capture the fullness of the man’s life, but it does effectively capture his presence.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Oct 8, 2010

It captures the rush of crime as a way of life for a man who did and took whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted, simply because he could take it.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Oct 7, 2010

...a stylish gangster flick with lots of action and a super cool, larger-than-life anti-hero at the center...

| Original Score: 7/10 | Sep 24, 2010

French actor Vincent Cassel blows the doors off this bio.

| Sep 20, 2010

A macho good time. The rebel without a cause finds out that wartime training with guns has its advantages.

| Original Score: 7/10 | Sep 16, 2010

As suave and stylish as its subject, the film is a tour de force of craft and performance, a portrait that captures the spirit of Mesrine in every frame.

| Sep 7, 2010

Cassel's magnetic performance is utterly wasted.

Full Review | Original Score: 1/4 | Sep 3, 2010

Despite the graphic violence, Cassell creates a memorable character, perhaps as memorable as the real man he portrays. Elena Anaya stands out as his mistreated wife.

| Original Score: 8/10 | Sep 2, 2010