Sleepers
1996 · Movie · R · 147 min · ★ 7.6 · 63% critics
Two gangsters pursue revenge against the state jail worker who abused them during their stay at a youth prison. Years later, their fight takes center stage in a sensational courtroom hearing, as the system is put on trial along with the people trying to change the outcome.
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Details
- Years
- 1996
- Release date
- 1996-10-18
- Language
- English
- Rated
- R
- Runtime
- 147 min
- Critic score
- 63/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.6/10 (3,891 votes)
- Box office
- $165,615,285
About
If you want a dark crime drama that moves from youth prison to a major courtroom fight, Sleepers is for you; Not for you if revenge themes feel too heavy, especially if you prefer lighter courtroom stories like A Time to Kill.
Pros: gripping revenge drama; strong performances; intense courtroom tension | Cons: difficult subject matter; revenge-focused morality debate; some pacing/tonal issues
Themes
- child abuse
- sexual abuse
- based on novel or book
- court case
- court
- gangster
- repayment
- sadistic
- narration
- pastor
- irish-american
- juvenile prison
- +15 more
Awards & recognition
- Academy Award — Best Original Dramatic Score · 1997 · nominated
Cast & crew
Kevin Bacon
as Nokes
Robert De Niro
as Father Bobby
Dustin Hoffman
as Danny Snyder
Bruno Kirby
as Shakes' Father
Jason Patric
as Shakes
Brad Pitt
as Michael
Minnie Driver
as Carol
Brad Renfro
as Young Michael
Ron Eldard
as John
Billy Crudup
as Tommy
Directed by Barry Levinson