Sling Blade

Name: Sling Blade
Genre: Drama
Released: November 27, 1996
Duration: 135 min
Rating: 84
Cast: Billy Bob Thornton, Dwight Yoakam

1996

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 26 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 98 Ratings

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8.3

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8.3	User Score Universal acclaim based on 98 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Miramax Films | Release Date: November 27, 1996 | Not Rated

Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Dwight Yoakam

Summary: A southern gothic tale about a man named Karl (Thornton), 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 (Black) and his widowedA southern gothic tale about a man named Karl (Thornton), 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 (Black) and his widowed mother. When the mother's abusive boyfriend appears, however, this simple man is thrust into a combustible dilemma that has powerful, moving consequences for all. (Miramax Films)… Expand

Director: Billy Bob Thornton

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 135 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Edward Guthmann

A story that's startling, soulful and absolutely unforgettable. Read full review

100

Rita Kempley

Like the eloquent, darkly funny dialogue, the film's characters, setting and cadences draw us into its world, with all its terrors and tenderness. What emerges is a masterpiece of Southern storytelling that draws a sharp line between good and evil. Read full review

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Perhaps the most remarkable thing here is Thornton's nuanced performance, but the film has other rare virtues: all the characters are fully and richly fleshed out (with some unexpected turns by John Ritter and singer Dwight Yoakam), and the story's construction is carefully measured. Read full review

Mr. Showbiz Richard T. Jameson

What evolves among them is a kind of realistic fairy tale, sustained by the sweet gravity and guttural, deadpan minimalism of Thornton's performance. Read full review

Film.com John Hartl

(Thornton) does a remarkable job in all three categories, but what you're likely to remember most clearly is his performance.

Ann Hornaday

Builds slowly but passionately, not dancing to some Hollywood tune, but finding its characters where they are and letting them be who they are. Read full review

Elvis Mitchell

Thornton is sadly affecting in the film's central role. Read full review

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User Reviews

WiggyMan

Dec 22, 2005

Amazing performances, great story. Billy Bob is a freak of the highest proportions :)

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Bianca-Grace

Jan 24, 2015

The acting of Billy Bob Thornton was of such a high standard that my only impression was (in the dark room with the journalist) was that Billy Bob was born to act, no other gift was better expressed. The movie had me in tears, it was a subtle performance, it is a sophisticated performanceThe acting of Billy Bob Thornton was of such a high standard that my only impression was (in the dark room with the journalist) was that Billy Bob was born to act, no other gift was better expressed. The movie had me in tears, it was a subtle performance, it is a sophisticated performance it is a human tale of suffering and just being despite how the world tries to label… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Sep 23, 2006

i just seen the movie. Awesome, never thought i would get inot a movie like this. Awesome, i just hate i am just now seeing it.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Sr100708

Apr 9, 2020

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I love this movie so much!!! At the end I was crying so much. There is not a lot of movies that can take a character that has something wrong with them, make audiences cry, and in the end make you feel so bad for him. Those movies are real jems that needs to be cherished. This movie makes you be thankful for the life you have, because his live was so bad. Every moment is tear jerking whether by happiness or sadness. At the end he knew what he had to did and he sadly did it. Everything he does you know if because of his past and once he finally let’s go of the past he’s back where he was before. In all the story is told in a very natural way and they have very creative way of telling the story which is really smart. In a way the moments are they make you cry like in the pursuit of happyness but without a happy end.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MsG

Dec 24, 2006

As a mental health professional, Billy Bob's portrayal was excellent and moving. This story is all too common and realistic about people in psychiatric hospitals, from Karl's character to the sadistic rapist in the hospital to Doyle's drunken abusiveness. Excellent portrayal As a mental health professional, Billy Bob's portrayal was excellent and moving. This story is all too common and realistic about people in psychiatric hospitals, from Karl's character to the sadistic rapist in the hospital to Doyle's drunken abusiveness. Excellent portrayal of too common a life for many.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful

amndz

Jan 31, 2020

One of my all time favorites. Nails pre-2000's life in Southern America perfectly. You'll find most of the main Deep South players: the easy-going down home folks, the outcasts, the violent drunks, and the meek driven to violent acts.

Amazing film debut for Billy Bob Thornton. Dwight YoakamOne of my all time favorites. Nails pre-2000's life in Southern America perfectly. You'll find most of the main Deep South players: the easy-going down home folks, the outcasts, the violent drunks, and the meek driven to violent acts.

Amazing film debut for Billy Bob Thornton. Dwight Yoakam should have won Best Supporting Actor for this; one of the best violent drunk bastards that has ever been in a movie.

I recommend the extended version.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Compi24

Nov 28, 2012

Featuring (quite possibly) Billy Bob Thornton's best performance in a film, "Sling Blade" is a simple, yet emotive drama with as much humor as it has heart.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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6	#6 Best Movie of 1996
20	#20 Most Discussed Movie of 1996
22	#22 Most Shared Movie of 1996