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Sleepers
1996
Drama
Suspense/Thriller
2h 27m
Four boys growing up in Hell's Kitchen play a prank that leads to an old man getting hurt. Sentenced to no less than one year in the Wilkenson Center in upstate New York, the four friends are changed by the beating, humiliation and sexual abuse by the guards sworn to protect them. Thirteen years later and a chance meeting lead to a chance for revenge against the Wilkenson Center and the guards. (imdb)
Directed by:
Your probable score
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Sleepers
1996
Drama
Suspense/Thriller
2h 27m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 56.92% from 4099 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews
(4133)
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Rated 20 Dec 2020
65
48th
Failed to provide even a single suggestion that would benefit my fantasy football team.
Rated 20 Dec 2020
Rated 18 Jun 2013
20
3rd
Ludicrous and turgid melodrama that is self-evidently complete baloney. I know nothing about the book, but based on what is presented here one can only presume the author is some kind of fraudster. No redeeming features.
Rated 18 Jun 2013
Rated 14 Aug 2007
88
95th
Heavily underrated movie. Kevin Bacon is oddly good at playing a pedophile (I'm not sure why). The cast is a gift from god (both young and old).
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 22 Jan 2020
31
3rd
Beautifully performed by all (with De Niro a standout) and well-crafted in a journeyman, professional way by director Levinson, but the story it tells is suspect and repulsive, speciously and vacuously arguing that corrupt behavior is a perfect justification for further corrupt behavior. A more interesting (and daring) version of this material could have probed the ethical quandries of the situation with greater depth than the bizarre Grisham-like hero story fashioned for Pitt's prosecutor.
Rated 22 Jan 2020
Rated 19 Feb 2024
55
29th
Some parts were absolutely sickening. How could someone in good conscience do that to a young boy. Evil exists and we need to stand up to it
Rated 19 Feb 2024
Rated 31 Dec 2013
75
61st
The movie, despite the nature of the abuse, only seemed to go skin deep on an emotional scale. I wasn't blown away by the acting, despite the talent on call, it felt like they weren't ever pushed further by the script. Would've been more effective if they took off the kiddie gloves and opted for a little less courtroom drama-rama-llama.
Rated 31 Dec 2013
Rated 01 Mar 2014
2
29th
I was into it up until the whole trial scheme. It didn't make any sense at all, and would have never worked the way it did. You cannot tell a realistic mondo-cane type story and then, all of a sudden, require that much suspension of disbelief.
Rated 01 Mar 2014
Rated 17 May 2008
87
93rd
This movie makes me wonder what the heck happened to Jason Patric. A very compassionate story, if only this were the last pedophile Kevin Bacon played well.
Rated 17 May 2008
Rated 14 Nov 2014
30
30th
The coincidences and the pulling of emotional strings in the story seem too calculated and, what do you know, none of it actually ever happened. As a work of fiction, the movie isn't all that interesting. Dustin Hoffman is woefully miscast, resulting in one of the worst performances of his career.
Rated 14 Nov 2014
Rated 12 Oct 2015
45
39th
DEATH BY SAUSAGE CART!
Rated 12 Oct 2015
Rated 09 Jan 2017
98
97th
Would have to, record 80% of it if i decided to record it
Rated 09 Jan 2017
Rated 01 Feb 2022
60
44th
It's moderately engaging throughout, the cast is pretty good and the courtroom scenes during the final act are quite tense, nevertheless "Sleepers" wastes some of its potential. Although it manages to be moving now and then, this emotional reaction stems from the harrowing subject matter and not the script or direction. The dialogues are too stilted, the resolution is predictable and presented in a Hollywoodian manner and several plot holes are ignored in order for the story to work out.
Rated 01 Feb 2022
Rated 30 Jan 2012
40
14th
4- might want to skip this one, not that hot
Rated 30 Jan 2012
Rated 09 Feb 2013
79
52nd
All-star cast, but didn't quite deliver. Started great, but dragged on. Ending seemed like something you'd see in an 80s sports movie. Should have ended about 20 minutes quicker, entire second half seemed to drag on and on, entirely predictable and boring after that point. But I did love the beginning and some of the performances. Not bad overall, but not great.
Rated 09 Feb 2013
Rated 05 Feb 2013
60
43rd
It started off pretty well - I really liked the scenes with the young characters in 1960s New York. The child actors were very good too. However, in the second half, when the characters were grown up, I lost a lot of interest. It became dull and very confused with its messages and morals. It wasn't a waste of time or anything, it was just disappointing in the end and not very memorable.
Rated 05 Feb 2013
Rated 28 Jan 2013
70
75th
Well acted movie that doesn't bore you despite its running time.
Rated 28 Jan 2013
Rated 27 Jan 2013
6
43rd
Could do with editing down the first act and the ending was a bit twee for the theme of the film, but the middle section was gripping. The scene in court when Dustin Hoffman breaks the guard stood out for me.
Rated 27 Jan 2013
Rated 26 Jan 2013
75
38th
Not bad at all. Good actors, cool story. Nothing incredibly exciting but it works.
Rated 26 Jan 2013
Rated 12 Jan 2013
87
90th
A really good and intens movie. Fantastic acting, even from the kids, and with a running time of 2 hours and a half it flies by quickly. The ending is good, but somehow the music and happiness didn't really fit.
Rated 12 Jan 2013
Rated 07 Dec 2011
95
98th
Just my all time favourite film, another re-watch.
Even though it is an all star cast and each play great roles, the best performance in this film has to go to young Joseph Perrino.
A film of child abuse, corruption, religeon, domestic abuse.
The story is told in 2 parts, one as the 4 young boys going to a correctional facility for a prank that went horribly wrong and the second part, revenge.
In addition to this it is believed to be based on a true story
Rated 07 Dec 2011
Rated 04 Dec 2011
50
37th
Decent acting, but rather boring and unconvincing storyline. The setting in the first part is OK, the legal 'battle' far less so.
Rated 04 Dec 2011
Rated 20 May 2011
75
68th
I watched Sleepers for the first time a few days ago, and what popped into my head immediately was that it's a really typical 90's thriller. A good one with great acting, though.
Rated 20 May 2011
Rated 18 Apr 2011
82
45th
Tense legal-court drama mixes with a coming-of-age story you've never seen.
Rated 18 Apr 2011
Rated 23 Mar 2011
0
15th
Allegedly based on a true incident, this nevertheless has the insubstantiality of pulp fiction, as just another example of the modern cycle of unexceptional, amoral vigilante thrillers.
Rated 23 Mar 2011
Rated 21 Feb 2011
65
54th
it comes along fairly multi-faceted. a story about friendship, coming of age, organized crime, religiousness, abuse, coping with the past, justice and vengeance. while abuse and vengeance are clearly emphasized, it still tries to mix it all up, lacking focus. therefore, the awesome cast is never truly tested, and apart from some tearing up we don't get to see the emotional depths a drama about raped kids exacting revenge should conceive. still, it will keep you entertained for the time being.
Rated 21 Feb 2011
Rated 26 Nov 2010
40
38th
It started off drawing me in with a tale of young NYC boys and their hijinks. Then it reminded me of Shawshank, then kind of a heist movie meets courtroom drama (without the drama). It got really preposterous, really quickly. I doubt there is a more overbearing voiceover in the history of all cinema. And why is Kevin Bacon always a pedophile? Someone get him another agent! And a priest...protecting...abused children? What quaint times the 20th century were!
Rated 26 Nov 2010
Rated 31 Aug 2015
74
68th
So dark and disturbing. It will haunt you. Excellent cast. All these years later, my blood pressure rises when I think about this movie. This is a good movie. But be prepared - there is sexual abuse.
Rated 31 Aug 2015
Rated 01 May 2020
68
31st
Standard courtroom drama from the 90s. It was a good one.
Rated 01 May 2020
Rated 23 Jun 2018
70
46th
Kind of like mystic river plus the basketball diaries if you replaced "heroin addiction" with "accidentally killing a guy with a hot dog stand"
Rated 23 Jun 2018
Rated 11 Jan 2017
90
59th
Hells kitchen makes good films Everything here is good if your looking for a slow buildup revenge obsessed film. The Sandlot meets the basketball diaries.
Rated 11 Jan 2017
Rated 18 Nov 2020
78
72nd
77.9.
Rated 18 Nov 2020
Rated 15 Jan 2016
80
72nd
I cried a lot at this movie when I watched it...years ago.
Rated 15 Jan 2016
Rated 09 Apr 2021
79
44th
tries to put on an air of quality, but in its core it's pretty mediocre.
Rated 09 Apr 2021
Rated 10 Sep 2010
54
70th
#90s#, reviews, story, (casting).
Rated 10 Sep 2010
Rated 19 Apr 2015
92
94th
Wow... Dark, crazy, intense. Very upsetting, but it sorta is a happy ending. Revenge fantasy. And those guys deserve it.
Rated 19 Apr 2015
Rated 06 Dec 2014
77
70th
brad pitt had to been youngest not oldest
Rated 06 Dec 2014
Rated 06 Mar 2022
46
18th
Çok fazla kötülük, kötülüğe yeterince ve olması gerektiği gibi tepki vermeyen çok fazla insan var.
Rated 06 Mar 2022
Rated 24 Sep 2014
7
57th
Sleepers is an interesting but brutal coming of age/court room drama about the awful misfortunes of four boys. If you split this film into to halves, the first half is undoubtedly tough to watch. But it's incredibly engaging and shocking. However the pacing of second half slows down dramatically and the court room drama gradually lost my interest. The cast is stellar though and Kevin Bacon, Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman, Brad Pitt and in particular Jason Patric are all great and carry the film.
Rated 24 Sep 2014
Rated 10 Apr 2022
88
72nd
It uses the cast (both young and old) to absolute perfection whike telling a very gripping and emotioally driven story. There are a lot of recognizable faces present in this and Bacon and De Niro carry most of the film.
Rated 10 Apr 2022
Rated 08 Jan 2014
95
70th
One of my favorite thrillers. Stellar cast and sick and twisted plot. The story line is well developed and makes you feel sympathy for men that you would otherwise condemn if you did not have their back story to draw from. A highly recommended Crime Drama.
Rated 08 Jan 2014
Rated 02 Jun 2022
89
87th
The kind of movie which makes you want to see the ending and yet not skip a single scene. A lot of the scenes and the story in general was sad and disturbing but so is life. A very well paced movie which has a lot to tell and does so in style. As much as it made me sad and cry a little bit, I loved it!
Rated 02 Jun 2022
Rated 01 Apr 2020
78
69th
Watched this twice and enjoyed it more second time, as I could follow some of the rather forced NY accents a little better. This is a rare film, so clearly separated into 2 discret parts; the 1st part the horrific termination of childhood with a moments madness, beautifully acted by the lads and a 2nd part, a more unsuccessful, laboured attempt to make the "revenge" interesting / exciting. This was a simple, "no real surprises", "everything happens perfectly" journey to a rather dull end.
Rated 01 Apr 2020
Rated 15 May 2008
86
53rd
Child abuse is never good. 2 scrappers getting back their abuser = hilarious. Plus, this movie adds to the game 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon.
Rated 15 May 2008
Rated 02 May 2008
80
80th
The movie is good, even having some mistakes and even not being a true history, like the author it wanted to pass. The acting of the actors, not only the young persons as the oldest also, are good. A very quite developed movie.
Rated 02 May 2008
Rated 19 Mar 2008
78
73rd
twisted story about 4 boys who are molested and beaten in juvenile home and their lives after progressed
Rated 19 Mar 2008
Rated 02 Feb 2008
2
33rd
Errrm, it isn't bad. The acting is good, it looks nice, the story is sort of interesting, but I don't really know why it exists. What is the point of this movie?
Rated 02 Feb 2008
Rated 20 Jan 2008
48
17th
A really mixed-bag; the first half gets you involved and is disturbingly well-made, the legal-thriller half doesn't work at all.
Rated 20 Jan 2008
Rated 22 Oct 2007
45
6th
Dark and morbid. Don't expect a happy ending.
Rated 22 Oct 2007
Rated 15 Oct 2007
79
48th
After reading the book i expected a lot more, but anyway the movie is worth to watch
Rated 15 Oct 2007
Rated 24 Aug 2007
25
26th
Just not a pleasant movie. I've seen it once, and once was enough. It's not a bad movie, and I'm ranking it very low based on an emotional response. I'm sure many folks would rank this in the 80's or 90's. I just can't.
Rated 24 Aug 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
91
98th
Excellent movie. Great ensemble cast. You'll hate Kevin Bacon by movie's end
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
49
28th
First half was absolutely tremendous, but once it moves to the court room, this movie becomes mind-numbingly boring. This movie really is like night and day.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
58th
Liked the characters, setting and emotional anguish of it all. Been a while since i saw it, but definatley up there.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
82
82nd
A great movie that you often forget about when putting together a list of great movies. But if someone mentions it, everyone talks about how great it is.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
89
80th
Great performances all around, and don't you just love Kevin Bacon's penis?
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 17 Jun 2007
8
82nd
Kevin Bacon should be mandated to play pedophiles all the time.
Rated 17 Jun 2007
Rated 29 May 2007
7
57th
I always liked this film, for it's strong cast and well-paced story. If there's one thing that never made sense, though, it's the court sequence. On the one hand, the lawyers work together so as to give John and Tommy an alibi, yet also call up past traumas that prove they had a motive to commit a murder. Still a neat film.
Rated 29 May 2007
Rated 18 May 2007
90
90th
Don't know why but for some reason I really like this film. Especially the part when they are still young , but the second part is alsow good accordingly to me.
Rated 18 May 2007
Rated 17 May 2007
80
64th
hafýzama kazýnmýþ çok güçlü sahneleri var
Rated 17 May 2007
Rated 05 Mar 2007
40
18th
A compelling first half gives way to a tiresome courtroom drama halfway through.
Rated 05 Mar 2007
Rated 30 Jun 2009
60
49th
Overall Enjoyment: 25/40, Plot/Themes: 15/20, Cinematography/Direction: 10/20, Acting/Writing: 10/20
Rated 30 Jun 2009
Rated 22 Feb 2007
55
49th
Good film the books better.
Rated 22 Feb 2007
Rated 13 Aug 2010
80
39th
Tough to watch since it is fairly graphic with the child abuse, esp. if you are a parent. Great ensemble cast with some nail biting moments. Loved it.
Rated 13 Aug 2010
Rated 08 Jun 2010
79
60th
pretty dark storyline, but lacks in wow.
Rated 08 Jun 2010
Rated 08 Feb 2010
84
87th
Great acting, great story, but I was a bit disappointed by the simplicity and the ending of it. This film is built very well, and grows towards an ending that isn't as great as the rest of the film, which is too bad.
Rated 08 Feb 2010
Rated 18 Dec 2009
81
48th
Gripping thriller with a very creepy performance from Kevin Bacon.
Rated 18 Dec 2009
Rated 03 Oct 2009
5
69th
Childhood favorite, believe it or not.
Rated 03 Oct 2009
Rated 23 Aug 2009
75
74th
Good cast. Tragic story. Very good title.
Rated 23 Aug 2009
Rated 04 Aug 2009
74
55th
The beginning where he's narrating their life as kids on the streets of New York is ripped straight out of every Scorsese film. Good film though. Good cast.
Rated 04 Aug 2009
Rated 31 Jul 2009
83
72nd
A bit on the longish side, but a really good payoff for hanging in. The acting and writing are excellent, and suspense is well crafted.
Rated 31 Jul 2009
Rated 28 Jul 2009
44
17th
Don't let the stellar cast deceive you. This movie is a mess.
Rated 28 Jul 2009
Rated 20 Sep 2010
68
65th
This is actually pretty solid. Bacon is a real creeper and the key to the whole thing is the child actors holding their own against their pretty talented adult counterparts.
Rated 20 Sep 2010
Rated 17 Jun 2009
74
75th
They do to a pedophile what we all want to do. Star-studded cast as well, who do a really fine job when depicting the tragic destiny of a group of young boys.
Rated 17 Jun 2009
Rated 09 Apr 2009
70
71st
Good story about friendship that might be a little too long and strained out, but overall its some good shit.
Rated 09 Apr 2009
Rated 16 Mar 2009
57
35th
Tense, gritty drama. Is this really a true story? De Niro and Hoffman excel in relatively minor, but pivotal, roles.
Rated 16 Mar 2009
Rated 12 Dec 2008
71
68th
A modern version of the count of Montecristo
Rated 12 Dec 2008
Rated 15 Nov 2008
40
44th
A lotta hassle over a prank.
Rated 15 Nov 2008
Rated 16 Oct 2008
80
54th
heavy, disturbing drama with an amazing performance by mr de niro
Rated 16 Oct 2008
Rated 16 Oct 2008
100
82nd
Very difficult for me to watch, as it's hard for me to stomach the boarding school scenes, but very well done. Great movie.
Rated 16 Oct 2008
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