Nobody Talks About Sam Raimi’s Hidden-Gem Crime Thriller A Simple Plan

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This acclaimed director is famous for both scary movies and superhero films. Although his Spider-Man trilogy remains a beloved classic of the comic book movie genre, and his recent return to horror with 2026’s Send Help is being praised, many feel his more realistic dramas, like A Simple Plan, don’t get the recognition they deserve.

The 1998 crime drama was well-received by critics, earning a 91% ‘Fresh’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes and two Oscar nominations. Despite this praise, the film didn’t make much money – it grossed $16.3 million against a $17 million budget – and has largely faded from view in Sam Raimi’s impressive body of work. Still, many fans consider A Simple Plan to be his greatest achievement.

A Simple Plan Is A Crime Thriller Of Life-Altering Proportions

The film A Simple Plan is based on Scott B. Smith’s popular 1993 novel and his Academy Award-nominated screenplay. It follows the lives of three men in rural Minnesota who experience a life-altering event. Hank Mitchell, a married accountant, his brother Jacob, and their friend Lou, are walking in the woods when they discover a crashed airplane.

A pilot is dead inside a wrecked plane, along with a group of crows and a gym bag stuffed with $4.4 million. Three people quickly start imagining all the things they could do with that much money. They hatch what seems like a foolproof plan to keep the cash and avoid getting caught.

Despite careful planning, everything quickly falls apart as a series of unexpected errors and accidents lead to tragedy. Remarkably, even with all the danger, the story remains believable, skillfully directed by Raimi and building suspense with a consistently unsettling rhythm.

A Simple Plan Sees Billy Bob Thornton At His Best

One of the things that makes A Simple Plan so convincing is how realistic its characters feel, thanks to the actors’ excellent performances. Bill Paxton delivers a strong performance as Hank, and Bridget Fonda arguably gives one of her best performances as his pregnant wife, Sarah. Brent Briscoe is also a standout as the troubled Lou.

Billy Bob Thornton’s performance as Jacob Mitchell in A Simple Plan is truly outstanding. He had recently won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay with Sling Blade, and many believe he deserved another award for completely transforming himself into the character. It’s widely considered his strongest work in the film.

Even before the characters face the repercussions of their greed, the actor clearly shows Jacob’s internal struggle through his facial expressions. But it’s most powerfully and unsettlingly conveyed when he delivers the film’s key line: “Do you ever feel evil? I do.” In that single moment, Billy Bob Thornton brings a weight and authenticity to A Simple Plan that resonates more deeply than anything the other actors achieve, and truly emphasizes the film’s disturbing themes.

A Simple Plan Is Sam Raimi’s Most Horrifying Film

Sam Raimi is a highly respected director known for his work in horror, especially as the creator of the popular Evil Dead series, which is about to release its seventh film. He previously worked with Billy Bob Thornton on the 2000 mystery thriller The Gift, and later brought back his trademark over-the-top, gory style in the 2009 hit, Drag Me to Hell.

Despite many thrilling films, none quite match the disturbing impact of A Simple Plan, surprisingly not a horror movie. It tackles realistic terrors with a raw and relatable authenticity, creating constant tension. The film makes you consider how you would react in a similar, high-stakes situation, and highlights how quickly life can fall apart due to a single choice or error.

The movie A Simple Plan is a stark and emotionally challenging film that makes you appreciate what you have. It’s common to wonder what you’d do if you found a lot of money, but after watching this film, you’ll likely hope you’d simply walk away from it.

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2026-01-30 02:38