The Coen Brothers Worst Movie? This 43%-Rated Comedy Flop Starring Tom Hanks

The Coen brothers are the creators of such masterpieces as No Country for Old Men and The Big Lebowski. However, they have one movie in their filmography that fans and critics alike unanimously consider a creative failure.

The Ladykillers, starring Tom Hanks, is not only the worst movie of their careers but also one they never intended to make.

The Coen Brothers' Worst Film Is 'The Ladykillers' – and They Weren't Supposed to Direct It

The early 2000s were a period of creative exploration for the Coen brothers. Following the success of The Big Lebowski, they released the neo-noir movie The Man Who Wasn't There, followed by the romantic comedy Intolerable Cruelty.

However, The Ladykillers truly hit rock bottom. The Coen brothers admitted that they initially wrote the script for Barry Sonnenfeld and only took over the direction when he declined:

“I know that when it comes time to talk to English papers, they'll just crucify us for doing it. [...] In the abstract, we never would have said, ‘Let's remake The Ladykillers.’ We wrote it for Barry Sonnenfeld, who was going to direct.”

Tom Hanks even admitted that he only accepted the role because of the Coens' involvement, as the idea of a remake hadn't inspired him.

What Is 'The Ladykillers' About?

Professor Goldthwaite Higginson, a criminal mastermind, and his ragtag gang plan to rob a casino vault by digging a tunnel from the basement.

To accomplish this, they rent a room in the home of a pious and naive elderly woman. However, their perfect plan is ruined when the landlady accidentally discovers their intentions.

Now, the would-be criminals face a new and far more difficult challenge: how can they get rid of the old woman without arousing suspicion?

'The Ladykillers' Is an Unnecessary Remake That No One Asked For

The Ladykillers is a rare case in which not even the Coens' signature style – ironic dialogue, grotesque characters, and dark humor – could save the project.

The movie feels like disjointed slapstick, more reminiscent of a low-budget comedy than the work of Oscar-winning screenwriters. Tom Hanks, playing the eccentric villain, seems unnatural, and his character is more irritating than amusing.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'The Ladykillers'?

• The Ladykillers has 54% from critics and 43% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 6.2/10.

• On Letterboxd, The Ladykillers scored 2.9/5.0.

Where to Watch 'The Ladykillers'?

The Ladykillers is available to buy or rent on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.