Skip to content

Burn After Reading

Intelligence is relative.

When a disc containing memoirs of a former CIA analyst falls into the hands of gym employees, Linda and Chad, they see a chance to make enough money for Linda to have life-changing cosmetic surgery. Predictably, events whirl out of control for the duo, and those in their orbit.

1h 36m2008RTMDb 6.7

ComedyDrama

English

Crew and Cast

Ethan CoenEthan CoenDirectorJoel CoenJoel CoenDirectorGeorge ClooneyGeorge ClooneyHarry PfarrerFrances McDormandFrances McDormandLinda LitzkeBrad PittBrad PittChad FeldheimerJohn MalkovichJohn MalkovichOsborne CoxTilda SwintonTilda SwintonKatie CoxRichard JenkinsRichard JenkinsTedElizabeth MarvelElizabeth MarvelSandy PfarrerDavid RascheDavid RascheCIA OfficerJ.K. SimmonsJ.K. SimmonsCIA SuperiorOlek KrupaOlek KrupaKrapotkinMichael CountrymanMichael CountrymanAlanKevin SussmanKevin SussmanTuchman Marsh Man
J.R. HorneDivorce LawyerHamilton ClancyHamilton ClancyPeckArmand SchultzArmand SchultzOlsonPun BandhuPun BandhuParty GuestKarla MosleyKarla MosleyParty GuestJeffrey DeMunnJeffrey DeMunnCosmetic SurgeonRichard PoeRichard PoeStretching Gym Patron
Carmen M. HerlihyProspective Gym CustomerRaul AranasRaul AranasManoloJudy FrankJudy FrankLawyer's Secretary
Sándor TécsyRussian Embassy EscortYury TsykunYury TsykunSenior Russian Embassy ManBrian O'NeillBrian O'NeillHalRobert PrescottRobert PrescottProcess ServerMatt WaltonMatt WaltonMorning Show HostLori HammelLori HammelMorning Show HostessCrystal BockCrystal BockPR WomanPatrick BollPatrick BollSandy's Man

Storyline

When a disc containing memoirs of a former CIA analyst falls into the hands of gym employees, Linda and Chad, they see a chance to make enough money for Linda to have life-changing cosmetic surgery. Predictably, events whirl out of control for the duo, and those in their orbit.

  • Focus Features
  • StudioCanal
  • Relativity Media
  • Working Title
  • Mike Zoss Productions

You Might Also Like

The Art of Self-Defense

6.62019

Standing Up, Falling Down

6.32020

Summer of 69

6.52025

A Different Man

6.92024

Funny People

5.92009

All About Nina

5.82018

Big Stan

6.72007

The Squid and the Whale

7.02005

Seven Psychopaths

6.82012

Not Okay

6.22022

Panic

6.22000

The Beanie Bubble

6.42023

Psycho Therapy: The Shallow Tale of a Writer Who Decided to Write About a Serial Killer

6.92025

Kinds of Kindness

6.52024

Can You Ever Forgive Me?

6.82018

Casino Jack

5.92010

How to Kill Your Neighbor's Dog

5.92002

I Care a Lot

6.62021

Skincare

5.92024

In the Loop

7.02009

More Like This

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

7.81939

A Simple Story

6.01978

Chowchilla

2019

Crabgirl

2018

Bandits

6.32001

Beavis and Butt-Head Do America

6.71996

The Contract

2015

The Consequence

2017

I Love You to Death

6.41990

X-Gen

2006

Safe Space

5.52025

One Hundred and One

8.02019

Black Sheep

5.82006

Tara Road

5.32005

The Broken

5.52008

Versions of Myself

9.02023

The Redeemers

5.82022

Honeycomb

6.51969

Ein vorbildliches Ehepaar

4.02012

Gastronomic Guide for Curious Palates

2025

Info

Status
Released
Released
5 September 2008
Runtime
1h 36m
Rating
R
TMDB score
6.7 / 10 (5,451 votes)

Production

Director
Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
Writers
Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Studios
Focus Features, StudioCanal, Relativity Media
Countries
United States of America, United Kingdom, France

Box Office

Budget
$37.0M
Revenue
$163.7M
Profit
$126.7M
Return
4.4×

Languages

Original
English
Spoken
English