IMDb 6.3 2001 HD

The 51st State

The 51st State

2001
Action Comedy Crime Thriller
93 min R United Kingdom
6.086 / 10
6.3 IMDB

An American master chemist plans to score big on a once in a lifetime drug deal. All does not go as planned and he is soon entangled in…

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Director Ronny Yu / Dug Rotstein
Starring
Samuel L. Jackson / Robert Carlyle / Emily Mortimer / Meat Loaf / Rhys Ifans / Sean Pertwee / Ricky Tomlinson / Michael Starke

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

convoluted stylish dark humour energetic chaotic overstuffed entertaining flawed ambitious underwhelming memorable performances

Reviews

C
Clara Hawthorne
May 11, 2026
1.5 / 5
1.5

‘The 51st State’ is a film that tries perhaps too hard to be cool, ending up feeling rather hollow. The plot, revolving around a disastrous drug deal, is a tangled knot of clichés and predictable twists. Samuel L.…

A
Arthur Pendelton
May 11, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

For fans of audacious crime comedies, ‘The 51st State’ offers a generous helping of dark humour and escalating mayhem. Samuel L. Jackson delivers a performance brimming with his signature charisma, while Robert Carlyle provides a compelling, often unhinged,…

G
Genevieve Dubois
May 11, 2026
2.0 / 5
2.0

‘The 51st State’ struggles to find its footing, oscillating between gritty crime drama and an almost cartoonish thriller. The ensemble cast, featuring Samuel L. Jackson and Emily Mortimer, does its best with a script that’s often more interested…

M
Marcus Bellweather
May 11, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

This British-American co-production is a rollicking, if somewhat chaotic, dive into the criminal underworld. Robert Carlyle anchors the film with a performance that’s both menacing and darkly amusing, ably supported by a cast that includes a typically forceful…

E
Eleanor Vance
May 11, 2026
2.5 / 5
2.5

‘The 51st State’ presents itself as a slick, witty crime caper, but ultimately feels like a film with grander ambitions than its execution allows. Samuel L. Jackson is reliably magnetic, but even his presence can’t entirely elevate the…

FAQs

Audiences can expect a range of energetic performances, particularly from Samuel L. Jackson, who brings his characteristic intensity to the role. Robert Carlyle also delivers a memorable turn, often playing against type. The supporting cast, including Emily Mortimer and Rhys Ifans, contribute to the film's often chaotic but engaging dynamic. Their collective efforts are central to the film's attempt at stylish criminal entertainment.