Reservoir Dogs is a 1992 American neo-noir crime film that marks the feature-length directorial debut of Quentin Tarantino.
The film stars a notable ensemble cast including Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Chris Penn, and Steve Buscemi, and revolves around a group of criminals who come together to execute a diamond heist that ultimately goes awry.
The narrative begins with the six criminals—each assigned a color-coded alias—who are hired by crime boss Joe Cabot (Lawrence Tierney) to carry out the robbery. However, the heist is compromised, leading to suspicions that one of them is an undercover police informant. The film's structure is nonlinear, interspersing flashbacks with present-day events, which allows for a deeper exploration of character relationships and motivations.
Reservoir Dogs was initially released at the Sundance Film Festival in January 1992 and later opened in theaters on October 9, 1992. Despite its limited initial box office success—grossing approximately $2.9 million against a budget of around $1.2 to $3 million—the film gained significant acclaim and became a cult classic after its home video release. It is often credited with revitalizing independent cinema in the early 1990s and has been praised for its sharp dialogue, strong performances, and stylish direction.
The film incorporates many elements that have become hallmarks of Tarantino's work, including graphic violence, pop culture references, and a focus on character-driven storytelling. Critics have lauded the film for its innovative approach to the crime genre and its impact on subsequent films. It has received numerous accolades over the years and is frequently cited in discussions of the greatest films of all time.
With a runtime of 99 minutes, Reservoir Dogs remains an influential piece in cinema history, showcasing Tarantino's distinctive voice and style while exploring themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the moral complexities of crime.