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Entertainment • Film

The Town

The Town is a 2010 American crime thriller film co-written and directed by Ben Affleck.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Town is a 2010 American crime thriller film co-written and directed by Ben Affleck. It is adapted from Chuck Hogan’s 2004 novel Prince of Thieves and stars Affleck, Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm, and Jeremy Renner. The film follows a Boston bank robber whose romance with a hostage’s coworker complicates a planned final heist.

Plot

The story follows Doug MacRay, a Boston bank robber whose life becomes complicated after his crew takes a hostage during a robbery. As Doug becomes involved with Claire Keesey, he tries to balance personal change with loyalty to his criminal partners.

Production

The Town was directed by Ben Affleck and adapted from Chuck Hogan’s novel Prince of Thieves. The screenplay is credited to Peter Craig, Ben Affleck, and Aaron Stockard.

Release and reception

The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival on September 8, 2010, and opened in the United States on September 17, 2010. It received positive reviews, with praise for Affleck’s direction and Jeremy Renner’s performance.

Box office

The Town earned approximately $154 million worldwide, making it a commercial success relative to its production scale.

Key facts

  • The film is set in Boston and centers on a crew of bank robbers from Charlestown.
  • Its plot follows Doug MacRay, who develops feelings for bank manager Claire Keesey after a robbery.
  • The crew plans one last major robbery involving Fenway Park.
  • The film grossed about $154 million worldwide.
  • The Town was widely distributed in Canada and is available on international streaming platforms for Canadian viewers.
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Canadian context

The film was widely distributed in Canada and is commonly listed by Canadian entertainment guides and international streaming platforms available to Canadian viewers.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Town about?
It is about a Boston bank robber who falls for a woman connected to one of his earlier crimes while his crew plans another heist.
Who directed The Town?
Ben Affleck directed the film and also co-wrote the screenplay.
What book is The Town based on?
It is based on Chuck Hogan’s 2004 novel Prince of Thieves.
When was The Town released?
It premiered on September 8, 2010, and was released in U.S. theatres on September 17, 2010.
Who stars in The Town?
The cast includes Ben Affleck, Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm, Jeremy Renner, Blake Lively, Titus Welliver, Pete Postlethwaite, and Chris Cooper.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Town_(2010_film)
    Supports: Core film identification, director, cast, plot, release dates, reception, and worldwide gross.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_town
    Supports: Director, writers, distributor, genre, runtime, synopsis, and release date.
  3. The Hollywood Reporter — https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/town-film-review-29963/
    Supports: Review details, cast, director, runtime, and critical framing.
  4. HBO Max — https://www.hbomax.com/movies/town/201109ce-65aa-478f-9be8-ef3b05b687ea
    Supports: Short synopsis, release year, and genre classification.
  5. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0840361/
    Supports: Basic film identification and plot premise.