The Gambler | Rotten Tomatoes (2025)

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43%

Tomatometer

142 Reviews

31%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Literature professor Jim Bennett (Mark Wahlberg) leads a secret life as a high-stakes gambler. Always a risk-taker, Bennett bets it all when he borrows from a gangster and offers his own life as collateral. Staying one step ahead, he pits his creditor against the operator of an illicit gambling ring while garnering the attention of Frank (John Goodman), a paternalistic loan shark. As his relationship with a student (Brie Larson) deepens, Bennett must risk everything for a second chance.

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The Gambler

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Critics Consensus

Well-paced and reasonably entertaining in its own right, The Gambler still suffers from comparisons to the James Caan classic that inspired it.

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Critics Reviews

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Jason Bailey

Flavorwire

'The Gambler' is just shy of a great movie - it doesn't quite add up like it should - but it is a reminder that there's a very fine actor lurking in Mark Wahlberg.

Jun 7, 2016

Full Review

Stephen Romei

The Australian

This is a slick, fast-paced film that maintains its sometimes unbearable tension until the last roll of the dice.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 12, 2015

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Mark Kermode

Observer (UK)

Despite stylish direction by Rupert Wyatt, who pulls off a few arresting set pieces, The Gambler never manages to make sense of William Monahan's often laughably overripe screenplay.

Rated: 2/5

Jan 25, 2015

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

By the end, it's difficult to care about Jim as Wahlberg represents him.

Rated: 2/4

Jul 13, 2022

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Nick Levine

NME (New Musical Express)

Potentially gripping, but never generates enough tension...

Rated: 2.5/5

May 27, 2021

Full Review

Richard Crouse

Wants to be a philosophical look at life's big issues, using Bennett's fall from grace as a backdrop, but in the end delivers Hollywood cynicism.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 2, 2021

Full Review

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Audience Reviews

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tom h time and money waste Rated 1.5/5 Stars • Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 08/14/24 Full Review James S This movie is made for gamblers and people with gambling problems. It really resonates and is a great depiction of how one can get lost in the addiction.One of Markie marks finer works. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/14/24 Full Review Vicki L Good cast, but terrible writing. The main character is an awful, awful person, and it’s impossible to believe he’ll redeem himself. No point to this movie. Waste of time. Rated 1.5/5 Stars • Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 05/07/24 Full Review Benjamin S I wish he would have died. Terrible film, please do not watch it. Rated 0.5/5 Stars • Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 04/09/24 Full Review Ozgur K It's about this guy who's totally hooked on gambling, and does it get him into some serious trouble. Mark Wahlberg plays the main character, and Brie Larson's also in the mix. Some people really enjoy it for all the suspense and drama it brings, but I am not one of them. It's lacking a bit of excitement. Brie Larson makes it fun to watch, but Mark's acting is felt like unripe fruit, it might bother some people. The story doesn't have many surprises, so it might not keep you hooked. But if you just want to relax and don't expect much, it's okay for passing time. Overall, it's not a bad choice if you have some extra time to spend. Rated 2.5/5 Stars • Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/24 Full Review Moises G Unbearable and unreal character "No one lends money to a loser and arrogant nobody" I felt like stopping watching it after 10 minutes but I decided to find an illuminating message at the... Rated 0.5/5 Stars • Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 03/29/24 Full Review Read all reviews

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Cast & Crew

Rupert Wyatt Director Mark Wahlberg Jim Bennett John Goodman Frank Brie Larson Amy Phillips Michael Kenneth Williams Neville Baraka Jessica Lange Roberta

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Movie Clips

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The Gambler

The Gambler: Official Clip - Can't Stop Gambling