Top 10 Slow-Burn Crime Films

Description: A meticulous bank robber and a dedicated cop engage in a cat-and-mouse game. The film's slow pace allows for deep character exploration and a detailed look at the criminal underworld.

Fact: The famous diner scene between Al Pacino and Robert De Niro was improvised, adding to its authenticity.

Description: A group of criminals are brought together for a heist, but things go awry, leading to a complex web of deceit and betrayal. The film's slow reveal of the truth keeps viewers guessing until the very end.

Fact: The film's twist ending has become one of the most discussed in cinema history.

Description: A taxi driver unwittingly becomes the accomplice of a hitman on a night of assassinations. The film's slow build-up to the climax is filled with tension and philosophical musings on life and death.

Fact: The film was shot almost entirely at night, giving it a unique, dark atmosphere.

Description: An undercover cop and a mole in the police attempt to identify each other while infiltrating an Irish gang in South Boston. The film's slow reveal of characters' true allegiances keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.

Fact: Martin Scorsese won his first Best Director Oscar for this film, which also won Best Picture.

Description: After finding a satchel of money, a hunter becomes the target of a relentless hitman. The film's slow, methodical pace builds an almost unbearable tension, making it a standout in the crime genre.

Fact: The film won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and was directed by Joel and Ethan Coen.

Description: A Hollywood stunt driver moonlights as a getaway driver, but his life takes a dark turn when a heist goes wrong. The film's pacing is deliberate, with long, quiet moments punctuated by sudden bursts of violence.

Fact: The film's soundtrack, featuring Cliff Martinez's score, has been widely acclaimed for its contribution to the film's atmosphere.

Description: A group of bank robbers in Charlestown, Boston, find themselves in over their heads when one of them falls for a bank manager they've just robbed. The film's pacing is deliberate, allowing for character development and a deep dive into the criminal underworld.

Fact: Ben Affleck, who directed and starred in the film, drew inspiration from the book "Prince of Thieves" by Chuck Hogan.

Description: A seemingly simple bartender, Bob Saginowski, finds himself in the middle of a robbery gone wrong, revealing a world of crime and corruption beneath the surface of his quiet life. This film's slow pace builds an intense atmosphere, making every moment count.

Fact: The film is based on a short story by Dennis Lehane, who also wrote the screenplay. It was the last film role for James Gandolfini.

Description: This film explores the consequences of crime across generations, focusing on a motorcycle stunt rider who turns to bank robbery to provide for his family, leading to a chain of events that unfolds over years. The slow build-up of tension and character development is masterful.

Fact: The film features a unique narrative structure with three distinct acts, each focusing on different characters and time periods.

Description: A lawyer gets involved in a drug deal that goes horribly wrong, leading to a series of events that unravel his life. The film's deliberate pace allows for a deep dive into the characters' moral dilemmas and the consequences of their choices.

Fact: The screenplay was written by Cormac McCarthy, marking his first original screenplay.