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Sling Blade
Sling Blade
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Sling Blade

Sling Blade

1996
Drama
2h 15m
A southern gothic tale about a man named Karl, who's just been released from an asylum - some 25 years after he committed a gruesome crime. He returns to the southern town of his youth, where his quiet, gentle manner and simple charm land him a job and lead him to an unlikely friendship with a young boy and his widowed mother.

Directed by:

Billy Bob Thornton

Screenwriter:

Billy Bob Thornton

Starring:

Billy Bob Thornton, Lucas Black, Robert Duvall, J.T. Walsh, John Ritter, Jim Jarmusch, Brent Briscoe, Dwight Yoakam, Natalie Canerday, James Hampton, Rick Dial

Genre:

Drama

Country:

USA

Language:

English
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Sling Blade

1996
Drama
2h 15m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 66.96% from 2841 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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kojilessKojiless
Rated 21 Apr 2013
94
97th
Life is like a box of sling blades. You never know what you're gonna cut. Throats mostly, I reckon.
Rated 21 Apr 2013
fredericg54frederic_g54
Rated 26 Apr 2008
9
90th
Sling Blade is at best a moody character study, directed with fine subtlety by Thornton; Ranks easily among classics like Cool Hand Luke or Five Easy Pieces, and shows you just how much an actor can become quite the wiz, behind the camera aswell. Whether it's the mesmerizing music or powerful acting, I could tell almost every scene had been granted the utmost consideration. One of those films that sticks with you after you've seen it. Recommended!
Rated 26 Apr 2008
pickpocketPickpocket
Rated 24 Sep 2009
6
55th
Nothing too special, not really that bad either. I've seen Billy Bob in too many movies to not notice this was an act but I give him props for pulling it off, it could've easily been really laughable. Gotta love that Jim Jarmusch cameo. His part was actually bigger than Robert Duvall's now that I think about it.
Rated 24 Sep 2009
doctor7doctor7
Rated 25 Mar 2007
86
86th
I absolutely love the long takes. The conversations flow perfectly. Thornton's direction completely captures his character. It's simple without distraction. Great film.
Rated 25 Mar 2007
akatemossfanAKateMossFan
Rated 19 Nov 2021
21
53rd
billyshearsBillyShears
Rated 24 Feb 2013
75
65th
Dwight Yoakam took it on the chin like a maaaaaaaaan. The moment Dwight shows up you'll go "You're soooooooooo dead" and mmmmmhmmm shouldn't a done that he just a boy poor lil feller
Rated 24 Feb 2013
paxtonPaxton
Rated 15 Apr 2012
90
90th
I can't so much as drink a damn glass of water around a midget or a piece of antique furniture.
Rated 15 Apr 2012
leonardisLeonardis
Rated 13 Apr 2012
95
83rd
believe it or not, Sling Blade has great performances, Thorton's especially, and the film is a bit predictable, but that's no reason why not to watch it
Rated 13 Apr 2012
cmonsterCMonster
Rated 01 Sep 2011
84
77th
Pretty damn good. Thornton gave a great performance and unlike most movies with kids, this kid didn't suck...well not to much anyways. The only other movie I can think of off the top of my head that had the same person write, direct, and star in is The Room with Tommy Wiseau, so aparently Thronton is more talented than him.
Rated 01 Sep 2011
omgfridgeomgfridge
Rated 19 Apr 2010
8
79th
Nothing about "Sling Blade" seemed to be done half-arsed. Billy Bob Thornton did it all and went all out with his gripping performance. Fulfilling ending to a well told story.
Rated 19 Apr 2010
cinemaasiaCinema_Asia
Rated 01 Mar 2010
75
71st
It's alright but doesn't break any new territory and seems a bit cynically engineered to tug at critic and award committee heartstrings. This was basically the last big award winning entry into the retarded guy drama genre before they became completely cliche. Billy Bob is good in this and it's not surprising to see why his career went sky high after this.
Rated 01 Mar 2010
billkerwinbillkerwin
Rated 27 Jan 2010
87
75th
A fine low-budget character study. Good direction by Thornton, and fine performances by everyone, especially Ritter and Yoakum.
Rated 27 Jan 2010
tripleshTripleSH
Rated 14 Aug 2007
84
77th
Going into this film, you only remember all the spoofs of it and wonder how it is you'll possibly take it seriously, but Thornton's performance is extremely good and the story is as ccompelling as it is morally complex.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
fudgiebfudgieb
Rated 14 Aug 2007
95
89th
I became a Billy Bob believer with this film. It is wondrous and memorable. I'll never forget it, even though I don't know if I can put myself through it again.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
bbbdBBBD
Rated 14 Aug 2007
95
94th
This movie is sad as hell. I don't think I could bear to watch it again. That's what makes for a really good movie - when it actually moves you emotionally.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
teddedonTedDedon
Rated 18 Mar 2007
80
60th
Interesting movie that is written and directed by Billy Bob Thornton, an actor that otherwise doesn't really have a lot of artistic credibility. It's surprising how well done this film really is.
Rated 18 Mar 2007
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 26 Feb 2007
80
95th
Brilliant film.
Rated 26 Feb 2007
coffeecoffee
Rated 03 Feb 2007
88
90th
Perfect acting, splendid scenario... I reckon..
Rated 03 Feb 2007
brrrpbrrrp
Rated 19 Feb 2024
75
76th
Nails the atmosphere. Even if it is a little formulaic and a little trite, it's a nice space to inhabit. Probably could have cut the opening scene (which I understand is the part represented in the short film that is the basis for Sling Blade) and it would have been better.
Rated 19 Feb 2024
croweycrowey
Rated 24 Nov 2021
80
79th
“Tater tots…”
Rated 24 Nov 2021
driscarpindriscarpin
Rated 12 Oct 2021
70
44th
Na Corda Bamba estreava há 25 anos no Festival de Austin. Entendo o apelo, mas é Miramax anos 90 demais para o meu gosto. BlurayRip RARBG.
Rated 12 Oct 2021
medinavimedinavi
Rated 24 Nov 2020
66
33rd
Hayatımda duyduğum en kötü score bu filmde sanırım.
Rated 24 Nov 2020
instantclassinstantclass
Rated 22 Aug 2020
85
93rd
Truly fantastic acting. One of the finest movies of the mid 1990s.
Rated 22 Aug 2020
tomhetTomhet
Rated 27 Apr 2020
8
83rd
A low-key amazing Southern Gothic story. And holy shit if the scene were Doyle absolutely loses his shit on the band isn't the funniest thing I've ever seen.
Rated 27 Apr 2020
matthagenmatthagen
Rated 11 Mar 2020
92
97th
Seen: 2.
Rated 11 Mar 2020
fthdfth.d
Rated 19 Nov 2017
80
87th
hııı. hııı
Rated 19 Nov 2017
evilmangoesEvilMangoes
Rated 01 Jul 2017
98
97th
A
Rated 01 Jul 2017
buffratingsbuffratings
Rated 15 Apr 2017
95
96th
Sling Blade is a beautiful, if dark, story, effectively delivered by Billy Bob Thornton from both sides of the camera lens.
Rated 15 Apr 2017
arossaross
Rated 21 Nov 2016
88
82nd
probably hasn't aged too well but great movie
Rated 21 Nov 2016
timon88Timon88
Rated 22 Jul 2016
50
45th
"Forrest Gump: The Dark Side".
Rated 22 Jul 2016
bratingsbratings
Rated 11 Jul 2016
94
94th
Sling Blade not only tells a wonderfully deep and meaningful story but also frames it in a lens that smartly allows the script and the actors' performances to sell the story.
Rated 11 Jul 2016
rafalivrarirafa_livrari
Rated 09 May 2016
90
89th
Great film, solid performances!
Rated 09 May 2016
kerembasarankerembasaran
Rated 21 Jan 2016
40
8th
Baahhh..
Rated 21 Jan 2016
eminsreminsr
Rated 12 Jul 2015
76
85th
Oyunculuk üst düzey ama final geliyorum diye bağırıyor tahmin edilebilirlik had safhada... Dramı da beni öyle pek içine alamadı.
Rated 12 Jul 2015
guy-piranhaguy piranha
Rated 14 Feb 2015
80
90th
aaah ye know, not to shabby, i reckon, mmmhmm.
Rated 14 Feb 2015
sirsassSirSass
Rated 30 Oct 2014
70
68th
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rb9Cpg2bJTg
Rated 30 Oct 2014
sirstuckeySirStuckey
Rated 17 Jul 2014
60
36th
Saw this at too young of an age where I felt uncomfortable through 80% of this movie. Haven't revisited it since.
Rated 17 Jul 2014
glm01glm01
Rated 13 Mar 2014
89
97th
88.500
Rated 13 Mar 2014
davidblastDavidBlast
Rated 21 Aug 2013
20
6th
Much later in my life, I would have an epiphany concerning 'Sling Blade', when Kirk Lazarus taught me that no actor should ever go full retard, mhm.
Rated 21 Aug 2013
nobodyrobotsnobodyrobots
Rated 09 Jan 2013
90
86th
Perfectly paced, hilarious and disturbing all in one package.
Rated 09 Jan 2013
filliganFilligan
Rated 16 Dec 2012
88
72nd
Sling Blade doesn't necessarily do anything new with a simple-minded protagonist, but it's unique in its straight-laced storytelling that never pines for sentimentality or emotional manipulation. Thornton, as we all know, delivers a memorable performance, and his direction is bravely restrained. Most of the film is told through single takes of monologues or conversations with a steady cam, which gave the story more credibility than most tried-and-true techniques would have.
Rated 16 Dec 2012
funkyastroFunkyAstro
Rated 03 Dec 2012
70
69th
There were moments where Thornton's performance was impeccable. The newspaper 'interview' scene tricked me into thinking I was in for a masterpiece. Unfortunately, it quickly became predictable as all hell [accompanied by an awful soundtrack] leaving us stranded with something completely mediocre. Talk about potential though...
Rated 03 Dec 2012
gillsoloGillSolo
Rated 27 Oct 2012
79
66th
A very good movie. I have to be honest though, I think it is hilarious and it makes me laugh just thinking about it. It's not supposed to be funny at all, but my god, the way he talks and the things he says, like "biscuits and mustard" or "I aim to kill you with it" just makes it hilarious.
Rated 27 Oct 2012
paul_harmonPaul Harmon
Rated 03 Sep 2012
94
78th
Very original. Disturbing. Riveting. Almost a 10.
Rated 03 Sep 2012
djrossdjross
Rated 05 Jul 2012
45
34th
OK hokum but it's all a bit too folksy and a bit too transparently programmed for this viewer. Message: stereotypes are insufficiently complex for a proper understanding of events.
Rated 05 Jul 2012
mervtaylorMerv_Taylor
Rated 16 Jun 2012
90
74th
Mmm hmm
Rated 16 Jun 2012
mwgerbmwgerb
Rated 09 Jun 2012
58
60th
I reckon I knew'd twat wus gonna happen, mmhmm. Don' mean I don' feel something in my heart. Billy Bob dun a pretty good job, I reckon, mmhmm.
Rated 09 Jun 2012
jlworldjlworld
Rated 15 Feb 2012
90
72nd
Somehow, some way, Billy Bob Thornton was doing a bad Sling Blade impression throughout the entire filming of Sling Blade. Gotta give him credit: he was ahead of the curve on this one.
Rated 15 Feb 2012
rufamRufam
Rated 26 Dec 2011
85
93rd
Powerful, unflinching and achingly humane, "Sling Blade" benefits from Billy Bob Thornton's unforgettable performance, unadorned yet efficient direction and sharp screenwriting. Although the ultimate conclusion is obvious since the very beginning, it doesn't hit any less forcefully when it arrives. A mesmerizing achievement.
Rated 26 Dec 2011
myfavchordsmyfavchords
Rated 14 Dec 2011
100
99th
Billy Bob Thornton does an amazing job with this film. He gives an underrated amazing performance, plus a great script and good directing. I have seen this film a few times now and I enjoy it every time! There are great supporting performances and an unforgettable script.
Rated 14 Dec 2011
jodamicojodamico
Rated 07 Aug 2011
84
93rd
Feels like a darker version of To Kill a Mockingbird. Terrific acting and production design.
Rated 07 Aug 2011
dmbbearcatdmbbearcat
Rated 07 Jun 2011
90
87th
Billy. Bob. Thornton. Triple threat. Writing, directing and acting, and he pulls them off very well.
Rated 07 Jun 2011
bullyp31Bullyp31
Rated 18 Mar 2011
37
89th
This movie was shot in my hometown. It is really cool to see places that you have been numerous times in a good movie. The store where the boy's mother worked at was a pharmacy store that I used to ride my bike to every day in the summer to buy a glass bottle coke and some old fashioned candy. Great memories in a Great movie.
Rated 18 Mar 2011
speaktherealspeakthereal
Rated 15 Mar 2011
75
5th
A 0 rating? I believe any sort of rating below such a 60 is absurd. Although this movie has an excellent acting selection ranging from Billy Bob Thornton's impeccable portrayal of simple, God-fearing Karl Childers to Dwight Yoakam's abusive Doyle Hargraves that display the tribulations of a Southern tale, the plot is somewhat predictable. A Southern handicap, tiding to his Christian 'eye for an eye' mentality, taking upon himself the burden of vigilante justice.
Rated 15 Mar 2011
dsterndstern
Rated 11 Feb 2011
85
99th
How much fer some-a dem french fried taters?
Rated 11 Feb 2011
stevekimesstevekimes
Rated 21 Jan 2011
95
96th
Yeah, it's been said before, but Billy Bob Thorton is fantastic here. Worth seeing just for the performances.
Rated 21 Jan 2011
davisty69davisty69
Rated 17 Jan 2011
85
66th
great billy bob movie
Rated 17 Jan 2011
tnmoviefan2TnMovieFan2
Rated 23 Dec 2010
94
85th
Wonderful story! Billy Bob Thorton will never achieve the greatness he achieved here. Very touching story that keeps attention from start to finish
Rated 23 Dec 2010
charlieCharlie
Rated 05 Dec 2010
90
96th
Amazing film with a fantastic script and astonishing acting by Thornton...
Rated 05 Dec 2010
elmakebabielmakebabi
Rated 23 Nov 2010
78
84th
Allright then! Hu huh!
Rated 23 Nov 2010
hellboy76hellboy76
Rated 23 Sep 2010
83
95th
It's a slow moving train and you just know it's going to wreck at some point, and my eyes were glued to it the whole time.
Rated 23 Sep 2010
ohcarolOhCarol
Rated 19 Sep 2010
0
0th
I know, I know...everybody loves this movie, but me! I think it is because of Billy Bob ~ I can't get past the fact that I think he is such a jerk!
Rated 19 Sep 2010
jimjoebobjimjoebob
Rated 07 Sep 2010
90
91st
I reckon' this is a good movie
Rated 07 Sep 2010
hankhank
Rated 06 Sep 2010
90
93rd
Awesome movie, awesome acting, awesome plot.
Rated 06 Sep 2010
luna6ixLuna6ix
Rated 28 Aug 2010
80
74th
Easily one of the most quotable dramatic films ever made, but for all the wrong reasons. It is a pretty decent movie, too bad it's so easy to find the lead funny. the ending was definitely satisfying since Yoakam's character is such a dick.
Rated 28 Aug 2010
bookhouseboybookhouseboy
Rated 14 Aug 2010
84
97th
#90s#, reviews, story
Rated 14 Aug 2010
aicheAICHE
Rated 10 Mar 2010
85
91st
Maybe I'm getting soft, but I love this film.
Rated 10 Mar 2010
sumanaustinsuman.austin
Rated 02 Feb 2010
90
93rd
Reckon its one of the finest movies by Billy Bob Thornton. Quite predictable but very realistic and does not get preachy. I reckon the last scene with the kid is one of the most powerful scenes. All right, then.
Rated 02 Feb 2010
jellyscudsJellyscuds
Rated 02 Feb 2010
70
75th
Not usually my preferred type of movie, but I can't deny how well these characters were developed and portrayed. Made me feel a bit sad. At least that's better than a film which makes you want to stick a fork in your eye.
Rated 02 Feb 2010
vesupriavesupria
Rated 02 Feb 2010
6
62nd
Whilst this one didn't have much action, and it has a slow-moving barebone story, that was as much about the past being retold as the present playing out, it's still excellent. The atmosphere is particularly introspective. It's key is the way that it changes the viewer's perspective of the characters, their actions and surroundings so unseemingly. The morality is ambigious. We're told of Karl's "evils", and we accept he may explode again, but little do we accept that it may be for the good.
Rated 02 Feb 2010
sveneriksvenerik
Rated 22 Oct 2009
70
44th
Kinda over the top there Billy Bob.
Rated 22 Oct 2009
mertz109mertz109
Rated 27 Aug 2009
87
74th
An awesome movie. Simple, but I found it to be surprisingly powerful.
Rated 27 Aug 2009
kahKAH
Rated 25 Jul 2009
2
40th
Memory says: Not bad.
Rated 25 Jul 2009
dorkovskyDorkovsky
Rated 24 Jul 2009
6
68th
Predictable, but still a good movie with great characters and an excellent performance from Thornton, even if it does feel overlong.
Rated 24 Jul 2009
westknifewestknife
Rated 24 Jul 2009
88
86th
I finally get the joke from that South Park episode.
Rated 24 Jul 2009
pigletPiglet
Rated 22 Jul 2009
72
68th
Thornton really puts on a brilliant performance, and the story is great as well.
Rated 22 Jul 2009
pompousasspompousass
Rated 21 May 2009
40
71st
Thornton's Karl is a striking portrait, difficult to recognize as the same man who, for instance, was once the bullying cardsharp faced down by an unarmed Wyatt Earp in _Tombstone_: "Are you gonna do something, or are you just gonna stand there and bleed?" That man. The makeover is top to bottom. Just to begin with, there's the neo-Medieval bowl haircut and the unchanging costume of gray shirt buttoned up to the neck and blue pants stopping a couple of inches short of the ankle.
Rated 21 May 2009
rthornhillrthornhill
Rated 30 Mar 2009
91
77th
Billy Bob Thornton is brilliant in this. Highly recommended.
Rated 30 Mar 2009
lphovercraftLPhovercraft
Rated 15 Mar 2009
100
93rd
A mesmering, southern Gothic study of a simpleminded killer. Thornton is wholly compelling in the lead role. This film is absolutely perfect in all respects.
Rated 15 Mar 2009
mjvmoviemanMJVmovieMan
Rated 26 Jan 2009
78
76th
Billy Bob Thorton has his "Rain Man" with simpleton murderer, Karl in "Sling Blade," which he wrote, directed and stars in. It's the sort of movie that feels like it's swimming for awards, but remains mostly restrained and less excessive than I was expecting. Thorton's portrayal struck me as forced at first, but soon the character actually works very well and Thorton, truly excellent here, disappears into Karl. Overall, this is an effective, solid drama that doesn't break a lot of new ground.
Rated 26 Jan 2009
msindpndntMsIndpndnt
Rated 23 Jan 2009
75
50th
Good, but I thought overhyped a bit
Rated 23 Jan 2009
juicesticejuicestice
Rated 18 Dec 2008
70
21st
Interesting and entertaining
Rated 18 Dec 2008
zombiezeuszombiezeus
Rated 28 Aug 2008
80
68th
Solid, moving drama with a few surprising and effective performances.
Rated 28 Aug 2008
batface89batface89
Rated 28 Jul 2008
93
89th
Billy Bob Thornton's best film.
Rated 28 Jul 2008
jeg2jeg2
Rated 05 Apr 2008
70
81st
good film, but not as good as the hype; forget the hype and enjoy it for what it is
Rated 05 Apr 2008
caimancaiman
Rated 14 Mar 2008
85
79th
This movie is, of course, all about Billy Bob Thornton and his performance. He gets a boat load of praise, but I feel he deserves every bit of it. Here he creates a character we want to both pity and keep our distance from. A true outsider akin to great characters like Frankenstein. Props also need to be given to Dwight Yoakam. Who know a country singer could act so well?
Rated 14 Mar 2008
halfjapaneseHalfJapanese
Rated 01 Jan 2008
75
50th
Arguably the best "charming retard" movie out there, as it retains an edge (literally) where the rest just turn into a big pile of fluff.
Rated 01 Jan 2008
bigherm95bigherm95
Rated 21 Nov 2007
0
1st
One of the worst movies I have ever seen. I wanted my money back
Rated 21 Nov 2007
stepsidewaysstepsideways
Rated 16 Nov 2007
75
19th
Felt too much like one of those old Incredible Hulk episodes with Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno.
Rated 16 Nov 2007
dustydDustyd
Rated 16 Sep 2007
90
98th
terrific drama with great acting.
Rated 16 Sep 2007
bizortbizort
Rated 05 Sep 2007
43
19th
This was tough to sit through. Thornton did do a good job acting I suppose but this movie just drags and drags until the predicatable ending finally comes about
Rated 05 Sep 2007
burlivesburlives
Rated 28 Aug 2007
90
60th
A near perfect drama. Thornton gives a great performance as both actor and director in this quiet and lazy piece. The characters are played so naturally and some of the shots are so long that you would swear that this is a documentary. The style borrows a lot from Thornton's friend Jarmusch that it is no surprise that he finds a way into the film.
Rated 28 Aug 2007
ottoOtto
Rated 19 Aug 2007
95
90th
Very original with outstanding performances.
Rated 19 Aug 2007
martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 14 Aug 2007
72
41st
A bit too predictable.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
thedenizenTheDenizen
Rated 14 Aug 2007
75
75th
A solid drama about a Southern simpleton who is mostly gentle and kind, but capable of monstrous violence. Billy Bob is quite good, though his constant grunting and "MMHHMMMM"-ing gets a little annoying.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
grimsoothgrimsooth
Rated 14 Aug 2007
67
69th
A smart film about a retard. Not much else to say about that. No running involved.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
vince_leoVince Leo
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
56th
A quality independent film from a very talented man, and is recommended for those who like character driven films and nicely written stories, even if the dialogue isn't delivered with precision.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
mmdmahfanMMDMAHFan
Rated 14 Aug 2007
91
64th
All around great flick. Dwight Yoakam's performance makes the movie.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
spoonerspotspoonerspot
Rated 14 Aug 2007
86
92nd
Billy Bob is so convincing in the role of Karl that I actually believed that he was mentally challenged. Great movie
Rated 14 Aug 2007
grimace98grimace98
Rated 14 Aug 2007
65
68th
Gotta do what you gotta do.
Rated 14 Aug 2007

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