X
  • 1998
  • R
  • TriStar Pictures
  • 1 h 51 m
  • 1998
  • R
  • TriStar Pictures
  • 1 h 51 m

Summary A dark drama about a sixteen-year-old honor student who recognizes an old man living in his hometown as a hunted Nazi. Compelled to reveal the secrets of his death camp past to earn the boy's silence, the German fugitive derives a sinister scheme to implicate the teenager in a dangerous psychological game. (Sony)

Directed By: Bryan Singer

Written By: Stephen King, Brandon Boyce

  • 1998
  • R
  • TriStar Pictures
  • 1 h 51 m
  • 1998
  • R
  • TriStar Pictures
  • 1 h 51 m

Apt Pupil

Metascore Mixed or Average Based on 21 Critic Reviews
53
User Score Generally Favorable Based on 35 User Ratings
6.4
My Score
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Where to Watch

Summary A dark drama about a sixteen-year-old honor student who recognizes an old man living in his hometown as a hunted Nazi. Compelled to reveal the secrets of his death camp past to earn the boy's silence, the German fugitive derives a sinister scheme to implicate the teenager in a dangerous psychological game. (Sony)

Directed By: Bryan Singer

Written By: Stephen King, Brandon Boyce

Where to Watch

Top Cast

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 21 Critic Reviews
53
33% Positive
7 Reviews
52% Mixed
11 Reviews
14% Negative
3 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 21 Critic Reviews
53
33% Positive
7 Reviews
52% Mixed
11 Reviews
14% Negative
3 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
80
Not all the plot developments ring true, but moments carry a real chill - even in a coma, McKellen can terrify a fellow patient almost to death - and it has more than enough thought-provoking material to command your interest.
By Kim Newman FULL REVIEW
75
Brought off with such skill and commitment that there isn't any time to snicker at its obviousness.
By Mick LaSalle FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

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User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 35 User Ratings
6.4
57% Positive
20 Ratings
34% Mixed
12 Ratings
9% Negative
3 Ratings

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 35 User Ratings
6.4
57% Positive
20 Ratings
34% Mixed
12 Ratings
9% Negative
3 Ratings

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

60
A creepy, well-acted story of contagious evil, Apt Pupil has more than enough chilling dramatic scenes to rivet the attention but suffers from some hokey contrivances and underlying insufficiencies of motivation.
By Todd McCarthy FULL REVIEW
50
Scares, to be sure, which is certainly one promise on which it delivers. But the film offers little insight into what it seems to be saying is essentially a mundane fact of life: When one devil leaves the world, there is always another one waiting just outside the door.
By Michael O'Sullivan FULL REVIEW
50
Perhaps the most disappointing thing about Apt Pupil is the lack of sustained tension generated by director Bryan Singer.
By James Berardinelli FULL REVIEW
40
Ultimately the movie disintegrates due to its own clumsiness. It's far too coincidence-driven to be believable.
By Stephen Hunter FULL REVIEW
30
Heartless piece of ill will.
By Ella Taylor FULL REVIEW
See All 21 Critic Reviews

Details

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Production Company Phoenix Pictures, Bad Hat Harry Productions, Canal+ Droits Audiovisuels
Release Date Oct 23, 1998
Duration 1 h 51 m
Rating R
Genres
Tagline If you don't believe in the existence of evil, you've got a lot to learn.
View All Details

Awards

Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA
• 2 Wins & 5 Nominations
Fangoria Chainsaw Awards
• 4 Nominations
Tokyo International Film Festival
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations

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