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Layer Cake: The Cult Classic That Launched Stars
8 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Matthew Vaughn's directorial debut film released in 2004.
- It stars early-career actors Tom Hardy and Daniel Craig.
- The film is a London-based crime thriller about a drug dealer.
Released 21 years ago, the 2004 crime thriller Layer Cake has found a new audience, solidifying its status as a cult classic. The film, based on J. J. Connolly's novel, vividly portrays London's criminal underworld through the eyes of a drug dealer attempting one last score before retirement.
Directed by Matthew Vaughn in his debut, Layer Cake showcases the slick style and dark humor that would become his signature. The movie featured a cast of actors who would later achieve significant fame, including Tom Hardy and Daniel Craig, long before their roles as Venom and James Bond, respectively.
With an impressive 84% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes and recent availability on Prime Video in the UK, Layer Cake continues to captivate viewers. Its enduring appeal lies in its compelling narrative and the star-making performances of its leading actors.
