Hard Eight
1996 · Movie · R · 102 min · ★ 6.8 · 80% critics
An older stranger takes a down-on-his-luck gambler under his wing in Reno, guiding him through the casino world. The young man’s life expands as he weds a hooker, forms uneasy bonds with the people around the tables, and gets pulled deeper into the nightlife’s hard realities.
Also known as Sydney
Where to watch
Watch free on Kanopy and Hoopla — also streaming on Paramount+.
2 hours to watch.
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Details
- Years
- 1996
- Release date
- 1997-02-28
- Language
- English
- Rated
- R
- Runtime
- 102 min
- Critic score
- 80/100
- TMDB rating
- 6.8/10 (971 votes)
About
Not for you if you need constant plot momentum or a more classical thriller; try something like Rounders or Casino instead, if you want a more straightforward crime-casino ride rather than this slowburn character study.
Pros: character-driven casino drama; compelling performances; atmospheric Reno vibe | Cons: slow pace at times; thin plot for some; polarized viewer reactions
Themes
- prostitute
- casino
- cheating
- gambling
- gambling debt
- blackmail
- male friendship
- hostage-taking
- las vegas
Cast & crew
Philip Baker Hall
as Sydney
John C. Reilly
as John
Gwyneth Paltrow
as Clementine
Samuel L. Jackson
as Jimmy
F. William Parker
as Hostage
Philip Seymour Hoffman
as Young Craps Player
- NC
Nathanael Cooper
as Restroom Attendant
- WW
Wynn White
as Waitress
Robert Ridgely
as Keno Bar Manager
- KC
Kathleen Campbell
as Keno Girl
Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson