Fargo

95%

Tomatometer

110 Reviews

92%

Audience Score

100,000+ Ratings

"Fargo" is a reality-based crime drama set in Minnesota in 1987. Jerry Lundegaard (William H. Macy) is a car salesman in Minneapolis who has gotten himself into debt and is so desperate for money that he hires two thugs (Steve Buscemi), (Peter Stormare) to kidnap his own wife. Jerry will collect the ransom from her wealthy father (Harve Presnell), paying the thugs a small portion and keeping the rest to satisfy his debts. The scheme collapses when the thugs shoot a state trooper. Read More Read Less

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Fargo

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Violent, quirky, and darkly funny, Fargo delivers an original crime story and a wonderful performance by McDormand.

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Critics Reviews

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Kevin Maher

Times (UK)

The North Dakota setting is icily evocative, the supporting characters perfectly pitched (remember Marge's old flame Mike Yanagita?), while the air of sadness that blankets the film like snow adds genuine profundity.

Rated: 5/5

Jun 14, 2021

Full Review

Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Its brilliance [lies] in making the forces of law and order look as interesting and funny as the bad guys.

Rated: 5/5

Jun 10, 2021

Full Review

Danny Leigh

Financial Times

McDormand aside, the secret might be the perfect pitch of the black comedy, the two elements in rare harmony.

Rated: 5/5

Jun 9, 2021

Full Review

Tom Ryan

The Sunday Age

Immaculately plotted, beautifully written and superbly shot by British cinematography Roger Deakins, a longtime Coen collaborator, Fargo is a treasure.

Rated: 4/4

Jul 16, 2024

Full Review

Sarah Cortinaz

InSession Film

Fargo begins with a thunderous orchestral score by Carter Burwell as it beckons the audience towards the tragic events that are about to unfold.

Rated: A+

Apr 23, 2024

Full Review

Cory Woodroof

For the Win (USA Today)

Fargo is a masterwork, one of the best films we’ve ever gotten to dissect the uneasy balance behind good and evil in a world where everyone might come across as nice.

Feb 22, 2024

Full Review

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Audience Reviews

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Paul C What can I say that hasn't been said. I think it still holds up. I watched it again last week. I was just going to watch a little bit of my old DVD to see if I really needed to upgrade it to BluRay and I ended up watching the whole thing. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/15/24 Full Review Priyan B Little bit overrated but worth watching thriller. 7.1/10 Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 08/14/24 Full Review Aidan B Debatably the best Coen Brothers' film to date, "Fargo" tells a hilariously dark story with wit, sleekness, and suspense, with memorable characters and fantastic performances to support it. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/13/24 Full Review Tom F Another near-perfect piece of storytelling from the Coen Bros, improving with every rewatch. Rated 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/21/24 Full Review Liam C This is peak Coen brothers. An air-tight narrative that manages to have perhaps the most twists and turns I’ve ever seen in a movie. And if that wasn't enough, an excellent cast that gives either their best or second best performances. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/16/24 Full Review Richard L Although the story itself isn't all that interesting, the seemingly effortless way in which it unfolds, backed by great characters and excellent framing makes Fargo worth a watch. Not sure why it's considered one of the Coens' best, however. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 06/06/24 Full Review Read all reviews

Fargo

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Cast & Crew

Joel Coen Director Frances McDormand Marge Gunderson Steve Buscemi Carl Showalter William H. Macy Jerry Lundegaard Peter Stormare Gaear Grimsrud Harve Presnell Wade Gustafson

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Fargo

Fargo: Official Clip - Pancakes