Killing Them Softly

Killing Them Softly
Killing Them Softly
	Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Andrew Dominik
Screenplay by	Andrew Dominik
Based on	Cogan's Trade; by George V. Higgins
Produced by	Brad Pitt; Dede Gardner; Steve Schwartz; Paula Mae Schwartz; Anthony Katagas;
Starring	Brad Pitt; Scoot McNairy; Ben Mendelsohn; Richard Jenkins; James Gandolfini; Ray Liotta; Sam Shepard;
Cinematography	Greig Fraser
Edited by	Brian A. Kates
Production; companies	Annapurna Pictures; Plan B Entertainment; Chockstone Pictures; 1984 Private Defense Contractors; Metropolitan Films; Cogans Film Holdings, LLC;
Distributed by	The Weinstein Company (North America); Inferno Distribution (International);
Release dates	May 22, 2012 (Cannes); November 30, 2012 (United States);
Running time	97 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$15 million
Box office	$37.9 million

Killing Them Softly is a 2012 American neo-noir crime film written and directed by Andrew Dominik, starring Brad Pitt. It is based on George V. Higgins's 1974 novel Cogan's Trade. The story follows Jackie Cogan, a hitman who is hired to deal with the aftermath of a Mafia poker game robbery that ruptured the criminal economy. The events are set during the 2008 United States presidential election and the 2008 financial crisis. Also starring in the film are Scoot McNairy, Ben Mendelsohn, Richard Jenkins, James Gandolfini, Ray Liotta, and Sam Shepard.

On May 22, 2012, the film premiered in competition for the Palme d'Or at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival and received positive early reviews. Killing Them Softly was released on November 30, 2012, domestically by the Weinstein Company and internationally by Inferno Distribution, to mostly positive reviews and moderate financial success, grossing $37.9 million against a budget of $15 million.