Good Time Movie Overview and Key Facts
Good Time is a 2017 American crime thriller directed by Josh and Benny Safdie. The film stars Robert Pattinson as Constantine "Connie" Nikas, a small-time criminal who attempts to free his developmentally disabled brother Nick from a state prison after a failed robbery. The movie was released theatrically in the United States on August 11, 2017, by A24, the independent entertainment company known for distributing critically acclaimed films. The Safdie brothers co-wrote the screenplay with Ronald Bronstein, and the production was shot on location in New York City using a handheld camera style to create a tense, documentary-like atmosphere. The film runs for 101 minutes and is rated R for language, drug use, and brief violence.
The cast includes Benny Safdie in the role of Nick Nikas, and Jennifer Jason Leigh as a police detective involved in the manhunt. The cinematography was handled by Sean Price Williams, and the score was composed by Oneohtrix Point Never, who won the Cannes Soundtrack Award for his work on the film. Good Time premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2017, where it competed for the Palme d'Or and received a 15-minute standing ovation. The production budget was reported to be approximately 2 million dollars, a fraction of the typical Hollywood crime thriller budget.
Plot Summary and Critical Reception
The plot follows Connie after a failed bank robbery leaves his brother Nick injured and arrested. Connie breaks Nick out of a hospital but is quickly recaptured and returned to prison. He then escapes again and embarks on a chaotic night across New York City, attempting to secure bail money while evading police. The narrative unfolds in real time, with the camera closely tracking Connie through subway stations, cheap motels, and residential apartments. The story explores themes of desperation, loyalty, and the social safety net for individuals with disabilities. The film's climax involves a tense confrontation at a motel that ends with a violent outcome.
Good Time received widespread critical acclaim for Robert Pattinson's performance, which earned him a nomination for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 91 percent based on 213 critic reviews, with the critical consensus praising its relentless tension and Pattinson's transformative role. The film also holds a score of 85 on Metacritic, indicating universal acclaim. Several critics, including those from The New Yorker and The Guardian, listed it among the best films of 2017. The Safdie brothers' direction was noted for its kinetic energy and unflinching portrayal of urban poverty.
Box Office Performance and Production Details
Good Time grossed a total of 5.4 million dollars at the worldwide box office, according to The Numbers, a box office tracking website. The domestic gross accounted for approximately 3.3 million dollars, with the remainder coming from international markets including the United Kingdom and France. The film was released in a limited theatrical run, expanding to additional screens during its second and third weekends. Despite its modest box office total, the film became a significant cultural touchstone for independent cinema and was later added to the Criterion Collection's streaming library. The home video release included bonus features such as director commentary and deleted scenes.
The production was led by Elara Pictures and IAC Films, with Sebastian Bear-McClard and Oscar Isaac serving as executive producers. Oscar Isaac, who had previously collaborated with the Safdie brothers on the 2014 film Heaven Knows What, also acted as a producer on Good Time. The film was shot digitally using the Arri Alexa camera system, and the Safdies chose to film in actual locations across all five boroughs of New York City, including Coney Island and the Rockaway