Rounders

Mike McDermott is a card shark who handles a poker table with the precision of a chess player. He believes he can keep his life in balance while his talent keeps feeding his dreams. But a brutal late night setback to the ruthless Teddy KGB costs him most of his stake and tests his resolve to quit. To complicate things, Worm, his best friend, is just out of prison and deep in debt to dangerous people. Mike agrees to back Worm and keep him safe, at least for now. The lure of high stakes pulls them back toward the same underground rooms where fortunes rise and fall on the turn of a card.

Directed by John Dahl and written by David Levien and Brian Koppelman, Rounders arrived in 1998 as a streetwise crime drama. It pairs smart dialogue with a lean, character driven arc brought to life by a star making performance from Matt Damon alongside Edward Norton and John Malkovich.

The film earned a lasting place in poker culture, helping bring late night card rooms into cinema and nudging public perception of the game toward seriousness and risk. Its mood, pacing and dialogue influenced later crime dramas that value character and texture over loud explosions.

Critics highlighted the chemistry between Damon and Norton and praised the screenplay for its brisk, authentic banter and patient build. The movie probes friendship and responsibility, the pull of easy wins, and the costs of chasing money. It anchors high stakes in human choices rather than flashy set pieces.

Box office aside, Rounders found a dedicated audience over time and remains a cult favorite for poker players and crime film fans alike. Its reputation grew with home video and streaming, helped by strong performances and smart writing.