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Crimewave

Crimewave

Extermination is not just a business. It's a way of life

198586 minPG-13Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films
Director
Sam Raimi
Starring
Reed Birney, Louise Lasser, Sheree J. Wilson, Paul L. Smith

A pair of whacked-out cartoon-like exterminator/hitmen kill the owner of a burglar-alarm company, and stalk the partner who hired them, his wife, and a nerd framed for the murder, who tells the story in flashback from the electric chair.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Crimewave?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Crimewave streaming on MGM+ via Prime Video, Pluto TV (free) and Tubi (free).

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Crimewave?

Crimewave earns 2 badges, led by Breakout role and Before they were famous.

Reception

Is Crimewave worth watching?

Crimewave's Midcredits score is the 29th percentile of all films, from 22K ratings across 6 sources. 37% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

29th percentile

Better received than 29% of films

31st percentile among Comedy30th percentile among 1980s
Acclaim (how much people like it)26th
Approval (how many liked it)33rd

54 /100

26th percentile of all films

27th percentile among Comedy25th percentile among 1980s

Critics 34 · Audience 55

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 5.8 — solid but not unanimous.

Approval

How many liked it

37% liked it

33rd percentile of all films

36th percentile among Comedy35th percentile among 1980s
37% rated it 7–1063% rated it 1–6

Critics 57% · Audience 47%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of critics approved than audiences.

82nd percentile

22K ratings across platforms

79th percentile among Comedy79th percentile among 1980s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 24% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$3M
Opening weekend$3.6K
Domestic gross$5.1K
Worldwide gross$5.1K

Returned 0.0× its budget — 5th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

The film is a frantic, cartoonish homage to 1930s/40s crime films and slapstick, with wild camera work and Bruce Campbell in a memorable heel role.

Fans praised

  • vintage Coen dialogue and Raimi crazy camera zooms
  • cartoonish slapstick with funny sound effects and visual gags
  • Bruce Campbell's oily, hammy heel performance

Detractors panned

  • feeble, disjointed plot
  • annoying cartoon sound effects and over-the-top tone
  • uneven, butchered editing and poor audio

What stands out

CinematographyDivisive75

Raimi's crazy camera moves and zooms

DialogueDivisive70

witty Coen trademark lines, best given to Campbell

AtmosphereDivisive65

lively gloom, noir-tribute tone, but uneven

ActingDivisive55

Campbell stands out as oily heel; unknown cast decent but uneven

HumorDivisive55

slapstick and dark wit, hilarious to some, not funny to others

Characters40

thinly written, antagonists fun but one-dimensional

Pacing35

frantic but uneven, studio re-editing hurt rhythm

Plot and story25

feeble and disjointed, who cares

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 6 points apart
  • Critics vs users 8 points apart
  • US vs non-US 5 points apart

Watch experience

What is Crimewave like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Easy laugh: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something light that makes you laugh and does not take itself seriously.

It leaves you entertained. Skip it when you want something with weight.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Very little.

What it feels like

Easy laugh.

Moods
AbsurdManic
Heaviest: throughout
Absurdist humor: Deliberately illogical; embraces nonsense.
Register
Absurdist · 7% of films: Deliberately illogical; embraces nonsense.Playful
Told as
Frame story · 5% of films: A story told inside another — someone is recounting it.Nonlinear · 6% of films: Events shown out of chronological order.
ToneSelf-consciously cartoonish mayhem, played at a manic, ironic distance.
The rideThe film sustains a zany, chaotic register from start to finish, though the framing device adds a slightly heavier undertone.
StructureThe story is framed as a death-row inmate recounting events via flashback.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Entertained.

FunFeel-good
Why it leaves you this wayLeaves the viewer grinning at the sheer absurdity.
How it ends · evidence
Ambiguous ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).ComedyFarce
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11% (this title): Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% (this title) · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Comedy: Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony. · Farce: Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).

11% of films fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeCartoonish mayhem of exterminator-hitmen and a framed man creates a chaos-driven farce.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfIdentitySelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22% (this title): Identity 14% (this title) · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% (this title) · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Self

Identity · 14% of filmsFate · 1% of films
Satirizes its theme: Attacks its theme through ridicule.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Ensemble lead
How it treats its themeThe film plays with identity — the innocent nerd is framed while the actual killers hide in plain sight — and the whole thing unfolds with a sense of absurd, inescapable fate.
StanceThe film takes a satirical, mocking stance toward identity as a source of confusion and violence, presented as gags rather than tragedy.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanDomesticStylized realism
Orchestral modernSupportive music · original score · Arlon Ober
SettingA cartoonish, noir-tinged version of a modern American city, where burglar-alarm offices, suburban homes, and back alleys bleed into each other.
MusicOber's score underlines the frantic, cartoonish energy of the setpieces.

Content guide

Is Crimewave okay for kids?

PG-13

Crimewave is rated PG-13. As of March 15, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (53/100), sexual content at minimal (9/100), language at moderate (40/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (33/100) and frightening material at mild (33/100). Its violence, language, drug and alcohol content and frightening material have too few votes to rank.

Ratings in 2 other countries
  • Germany12
  • Greece13
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Moderate
too few votes to rank (5 votes)
Sex & Nudity
None / Minimal
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 9%
Profanity
Moderate
too few votes to rank (5 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
too few votes to rank (3 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Mild
too few votes to rank (3 votes)

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Too few votes to rank this title overall (27 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Crimewave have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Crimewave?

Cast

At least 2 of the 10 billed cast had never appeared on screen.

Reed Birney
as Vic Ajax
Breakout: Their highest-reaching film role at the time, and they went on to a career at least 3 times their standing then.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Louise Lasser
as Helene Trend
Sheree J. Wilson
as Nancy
First film: No prior film role; they had worked in television.
Paul L. Smith
as Faron Crush
Brion James
as Arthur Coddish
Edward R. Pressman
as Ernest Trend
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Bruce Campbell
as Renaldo 'The Heel'
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
newcomer then · star now
Frances McDormand
as Nun
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
newcomer then · star now
Anne Cooper
as Nun
Bridget Hoffman
as Nun
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Crimewave?

Movies like Crimewave include Buddy Buddy (1981), Fun with Dick and Jane (1977) and The Producers (1967). Of the 12 closest matches, half are stories about hitmen, and several are films about fate.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

5 of these 12 share its feel: satire. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Crimewave?

388 other films share the rarest tag below, up against: hitman. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.