Set It Off

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Set It Off

R

1996

2h 0m

Action

Mystery & Thriller

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

71%

Tomatometer

38 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

After being fired from her job as a bank teller, Frankie begins working at a janitorial service with her friends Tisean, a single mother; Cleo, a boisterous lesbian; and Stony, who is dealing with the recent death of her brother. The women are struggling with their finances, so they decide to start robbing banks. At first the group is successful, but they soon attract the attention of an obsessive detective.

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Critics Consensus

It may not boast an original plot, but Set It Off is a satisfying, socially conscious heist film thanks largely to fine performances from its leads.

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Rosalind Bentley

Minneapolis Star Tribune

Jan 26, 2022

4/5

It is perhaps one of the best of the few films in the last several years to give voice to the stress and struggle of being poor, working class, black and female in downsized America.

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Alyx Vesey

Bitch Media

Jan 11, 2021

An important film that continues to challenge old and new audiences.

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Carmen Phillips

Autostraddle

Sep 4, 2020

F. Gary Gray does so nearly flawlessly because he understands that first and foremost the story belongs to the Black women upon whose shoulders this entangled mess has always fallen onto in the first place.

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

Sep 28, 2025

4/5

…the ebullience of 1970’s exploitation features like Coffy finds a more measured but still entertaining medium in F.Gary Gray's Set It Off…offers a convincing account of how easily urban experiences could be radicalised even back in the sleepy 1990’s…

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Latoya Austin

Cinerama Film

Mar 27, 2023

Set It Off transcends and rewrites the classic heist movie through an all-female, all-black group of friends and their love for one another ... it is ultimately a tale of sacrifice, love and belonging .. a heartfelt ode to female friendships

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Jan 14, 2023

3/4

...slightly erratic yet mostly engrossing...

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Randall F

@Randalltex Jul 16, 2026

The friends-turned-bank-robbers are compelling, detailed characters, and the film's freshness carries it

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Justin T.

@RT29681041 Jun 23, 2026

I Really Like This Film It's A 90's Bank Robber Friends Struggling From The Hood Type Classics With Alot Of Talented Actors/Actresss Definitely Classic Worth Watching

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MAZINA P

@RT51827547 Jun 23, 2026

This drama shows what can happen when a person is judged unfairly even by mistake or when they have to pay the price of someone else fault. Love that the movie featured all the female actors that I admire. This is amazing!

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Josphat I

@RT20563539 Jun 3, 2026

An intense thriller that teaches us how desperate people become when society fails them, driven by a beautiful message about sisterhood and sacrifice.

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Daniel I

@RT47475128 May 20, 2026

This is a much watch,I do not support the fact that they resorted to rob banks,but this movie clearly portrays what can happen when systems are bias

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TheMovieSearch R

@TheMovieSearch Dec 11, 2025

Set It Off is an incredible film about four African-American women—Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Kimberly Elise—who, fed up with the injustices in their lives, decide to rob banks. The film masterfully blends action, suspense, and raw emotion, making it captivating from start to finish. The screenplay gives each character a distinct personality and motivation, balancing thrilling heist scenes with personal struggles and friendships. Performances are outstanding: Queen Latifah exudes strength and charisma, Vivica A. Fox brings intensity, Jada Pinkett Smith delivers emotional depth, and Kimberly Elise impresses with quiet nuance. The direction keeps tension high while highlighting character development, and the cinematography captures both the urban environment and emotional stakes. The soundtrack and editing enhance the story’s pace and energy. Ultimately, Set It Off is an emotionally charged, powerful film with stellar performances, compelling storytelling,

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F. Gary Gray

Director

Jada Pinkett Smith

Lida "Stony" Newsom

Queen Latifah

Cleo Sims

Vivica A. Fox

Frankie Sutton

Blair Underwood

Keith Weston

John C. McGinley

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Synopsis

After being fired from her job as a bank teller, Frankie begins working at a janitorial service with her friends Tisean, a single mother; Cleo, a boisterous lesbian; and Stony, who is dealing with the recent death of her brother. The women are struggling with their finances, so they decide to start robbing banks. At first the group is successful, but they soon attract the attention of an obsessive detective.

Director: F. Gary Gray
Producer: Dale Pollock, Oren Koules, Kate Lanier
Screenwriter: Kate Lanier, Takashi Bufford
Production Co: New Line Cinema
Rating: R
Genre: Action, Mystery & Thriller, Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 1, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $36.1M
Runtime: 2h 0m
Sound Mix: Surround

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