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The Ref

  • 1994
  • R
  • 1h 37m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
27K
YOUR RATING
Kevin Spacey, Judy Davis, and Denis Leary in The Ref (1994)
Watch Trailer[OV]
Play trailer1:53
1 Video
84 Photos
Dark ComedyComedyCrimeDrama

A cat burglar is forced to take a bickering, dysfunctional family hostage on Christmas Eve.A cat burglar is forced to take a bickering, dysfunctional family hostage on Christmas Eve.A cat burglar is forced to take a bickering, dysfunctional family hostage on Christmas Eve.

  • Director
    • Ted Demme
  • Writers
    • Marie Weiss
    • Richard LaGravenese
  • Stars
    • Denis Leary
    • Judy Davis
    • Kevin Spacey
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    6.9/10
    27K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Ted Demme
    • Writers
      • Marie Weiss
      • Richard LaGravenese
    • Stars
      • Denis Leary
      • Judy Davis
      • Kevin Spacey
    • 138User reviews
    • 49Critic reviews
    • 59Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 1 nomination

    Videos1

    Trailer[OV]
    Trailer 1:53
    Trailer[OV]

    Photos84

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    + 77
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    Top cast57

    Edit
    Denis Leary
    Denis Leary
    • Gus
    Judy Davis
    Judy Davis
    • Caroline
    Kevin Spacey
    Kevin Spacey
    • Lloyd
    Robert J. Steinmiller Jr.
    Robert J. Steinmiller Jr.
    • Jesse
    Glynis Johns
    Glynis Johns
    • Rose
    Raymond J. Barry
    Raymond J. Barry
    • Huff
    Richard Bright
    Richard Bright
    • Murray
    Christine Baranski
    Christine Baranski
    • Connie
    Adam LeFevre
    Adam LeFevre
    • Gary
    Phillip Nicoll
    • John
    Ellie Raab
    • Mary
    Bill Raymond
    Bill Raymond
    • George
    John Scurti
    John Scurti
    • Steve
    Jim Turner
    Jim Turner
    • Phil
    Herbie Ade
    • Bartender
    Ron Gabriel
    • Limo Driver
    Scott Walker
    Scott Walker
    • Prosecutor
    Edward Saxon
    Edward Saxon
    • Reporter
    • Director
      • Ted Demme
    • Writers
      • Marie Weiss
      • Richard LaGravenese
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Film debut of J.K. Simmons.
    • Goofs
      This film takes place in Connecticut. Several characters mention a county prosecutor throughout the film. Connecticut dissolved all county-level governments in 1960 and thus, there would be no such thing as a county prosecutor. In Connecticut, counties are solely geographic entities.
    • Quotes

      Gus: You know what, lady? I'd like to tie you to the back of a fucking truck.

      Rose: You don't have the balls.

      [Gus leaps up from his chair toward Rose and is intercepted by Lloyd]

      Lloyd: Don't do it! It's not worth it.

      Gus: I fucking hate her, Lloyd!

      Lloyd: I know, I know.

      Gus: What is the matter with you? I thought mothers were sweet and nice a-a-and Patient. I know loan sharks who are more forgiving than you. Your husband ain't dead, lady. He's hiding.

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Guarding Tess/Lightning Jack/The Hudsucker Proxy/The Ref/Belle Epoque/Germinal (1994)
    • Soundtracks
      The Holly And The Ivy
      Traditional, music first published by Cecil J. Sharp (uncredited), originally arranged by H. Walford Davies (uncredited)
      Arranged by Charles Thompson

    User reviews138

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10

    Hands Down our Favourite Dark Christmas Classic

    No Christmas would be complete without a viewing of The Ref, alongside our other fave, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. It features the wonderfully matched sniping of Kevin Spacey and Judy Davis as the couple on the rocks who ultimately learn to come together with the aid of the put-upon criminal ( a wonderful Denis Leary ) who is by far the sanest of the lot. Set this in the weirdly Disneyesque beauty of Niagara-on-the-Lake at Christmas ( yes it really looks like that ), throw in one of the best rants ever delivered in a movie, and you have a near perfect sugar-free Christmas classic. Careful though, it is addictive.
    • moondancer
    • Sep 14, 2015
    • Permalink

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    FAQ18

    • How long is The Ref?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 11, 1994 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Hostile Hostages
    • Filming locations
      • Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Touchstone Pictures
      • Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $11,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $11,439,193
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $3,044,097
      • Mar 13, 1994
    • Gross worldwide
      • $11,439,193
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 37 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
      • Dolby Digital

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    Kevin Spacey, Judy Davis, and Denis Leary in The Ref (1994)
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