Killing Them Softly is a 2012 American neo-noir crime film written and directed by Andrew Dominik, starring Brad Pitt. It is based on George V. Higgins's 1974 novel Cogan's Trade. The story follows Jackie Cogan, a hitman who is hired to deal with the aftermath of a Mafia poker game robbery that ruptured the criminal economy. The events are set during the 2008 United States presidential election and the 2008 financial crisis. Also starring in the film are Scoot McNairy, Ben Mendelsohn, Richard Jenkins, James Gandolfini, Ray Liotta, and Sam Shepard.