The Card Counter

Director: Paul Schrader Paul Schrader

Overview

This thriller follows William Tell (Oscar Isaac), an ex-serviceman trying his luck as a professional casino gambler. But after a chance meeting with an unpredictable young man named Cirk (Tye Sheridan) who is set on revenge against an old military colonel, William's trajectory changes. The two men hit the casino trail together with backing from a gambling financier named La Linda (Tiffany Haddish), trying to break into the World Series of Poker. However, it's not long before Cirk's erratic behavior forces William to face up to his dark past. Written and directed by Paul Schrader.

Product Details

Release Date:	12/14/2021
UPC:	0191329159224
Original Release:	2021
Source:	Universal Studios
Language:	English
Time:	1:52:00
Sales rank:	61,197

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Oscar Isaac	William Tell
Tiffany Haddish	La Linda
Tye Sheridan	Cirk
Alexander Babara	Mr. USA
Bobby C. King	Slippery Joe
Ekaterina Baker	Sara(as Kat Baker)
Bryan Truong	Minnesota
Dylan Flashner	Sergeant Hoskins
Adrienne Lau	Crystal
Joel Michaely	Ronnie
Rachel Whitney	Nancy
Muhsin Fliah	Civilian Translator
Rachel Michiko Whitney	Nancy
Joseph Singletary	Inmate(as Joseph Singletary III)
Kirill Sheynerman	Prison Guard
Amia Edwards	Tournament Clerk
Britton Webb	Roger Baufort
Amye Gousset	Judy Baufort(as Amye Bousset)
Dior Choi	Local Newsman
Billy Slaughter	Lackey #1
Shane LeCocq	Lackey #2
Olivia Peck	MP
Rob Eubanks	Second Player
Lucky Belcamino	Self
Willem Dafoe	Major John Gordo
April Alsbury	Actor
Mike Aston	Pit Boss
William Buster Benefield	Poker Player
Michael Biss	Arms dealer and poker player
Robert Levon Been	Composer
Giancarlo Vulcano	Composer

Technical Credits

Paul Schrader

Paul Schrader	Screenwriter,Director
Catherine Boily	Executive Producer
Tiffany Boyle	Executive Producer
Lee Broda	Executive Producer
Philip Burgin	Executive Producer
Anders Erdén	Executive Producer
Santosh Govindaraju	Executive Producer
Patrick Hibler	Executive Producer
Martin McCabe	Executive Producer
Joel Michaely	Executive Producer
Martin Scorsese	Executive Producer
Lauren Mann	Producer
Braxton Pope	Producer
David M. Wulf	Producer,Producer
William Olsson	Executive Producer
Ruben Islas	Executive Producer
Stanley Preschutti	Executive Producer
Kathryn Moseley	Executive Producer
Joe Sanchez	Sound Mixer
Kyle Stroud	Executive Producer

Editorial Reviews

The Card Counter is a redemption and revenge thriller film, with casino tables as the seamy backdrop for something darker. A gambler named William Tell is counting cards while trying to block out his shady past. When he finds friendship in a young man on a dark mission, and as love appears in an unlikely place, he rethinks his own death quest. William Tell (Oscar Isaac) is a routine-loving loner with some odd habits. He's in prison for committing war crimes in Abu Ghraib; but with nothing to live for, he makes the most of his time by figuring out how to play cards. Even after his release, he confines himself to card houses where he wins just enough to earn an income, without invoking suspicion. His motel rooms become a literal whitewashing for his tortured past as he covers up everything in the room with white sheets. Gordo (Willem Dafoe) is a military contractor turned presenter giving a talk about interrogation techniques, and how he can train the police to use them. Tell wanders into the talk to see the man who trained him to torture in Abu Ghraib. He ends up meeting Cirk with a C (Tye Sheridan), a young man whose father had served with Tell. Cirk wants to capture, torture, and kill Gordo because he committed war crimes for which he was never punished. So, he relays that plot to Tell. But Tell knows the plan is doomed and that even if he were successful, Cirk wouldn't find happiness. Instead, Tell takes Cirk under his wing and teaches him about cards. He finds a poker tour bankroll rep named La Linda (Tiffany Haddish) to win a bunch of money and raise funds for Cirk to get him out of debt, so he can focus on something other than revenge. But Tell ends up falling for La Linda and finding that now he's got something to focus on other than the guilt of his own past. Will money be enough to stop Cirk's thirst for exacting revenge? And will Tell find a reason to live that makes up for his dark past? Written and directed by Paul Schrader (First Reformed, Affliction), a true master's hand is seen gracing every scene in The Card Counter. At once a story about people whose lives are all professionally formed by letting random chance govern them, at the same time, they take matters into their own hands. Strong acting and sharp dialogue with voice-over narration match the methodical pacing and deeply dark nature of the script. Slow enough to turn off those seeking instant gratification, The Card Counter builds methodically to a gripping boil. Fine performances portraying broken people elevate a strong script into a work of art, which may not appeal to everyone. Dealing a heavy hand of guilt, this casino torture blend expertly lays its cards down slowly, delivering a full house.