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Sleepers

Play trailer Poster for Sleepers R 1996 2h 30m Crime Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
76% Tomatometer 62 Reviews 85% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Four teenage friends from Hell's Kitchen end up being sent to reform school after almost killing a man. There they are brutalized by the guards. John (Bruno Kirby) and Tommy (Terry Kinney) grow up to be hit men who recognize their abuser years later and kill him. Their trial is prosecuted by another member of their gang, who is now the assistant DA.
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Sleepers

Sleepers

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Critics Consensus

Old friendships are awakened by the need for revenge, making Sleepers a haunting nightmare burdened by voiceover yet terrifically captured by Barry Levinson.

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Critics Reviews

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David Ansen Newsweek 07/06/2010
The problems start with Levinson's script, which overemploys Patric's florid narration to tell you what you're about to see, what it means and how you should feel about it. Go to Full Review Janet Maslin New York Times 07/06/2010
''Sleepers'' has become a big Hollywood movie with a slick, shrewd manner that perfectly mirrors Mr. Carcaterra's writing style. Go to Full Review Richard Schickel TIME Magazine 08/14/2009
It is all legally preposterous. But Levinson is a slick craftsman, his actors are insinuatingly real, and cinematographer Michael Ballhaus casts a disarmingly believable light on these proceedings. Go to Full Review Allison Rose FlickDirect Apr 28
4.5/5
A brutal and emotionally powerful drama elevated by an exceptional cast. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Apr 26
2.5/4
The first half is far stronger than the second part. Go to Full Review Jeff Beck The Blu Spot Apr 20
3.5/5
Sleepers may not be the most memorable project in Barry Levinson's incredible filmography, but it remains a compelling work that brings together an excellent ensemble to tell a dark, emotional tale of abuse & revenge. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Thyaagu C @Thyaagu Jun 28 Fantastic from start to finish. If I had one wish, it’d be for the film to fully commit to either the brutal personal revenge or the courtroom investigation. It does both well, but focusing on one could’ve turned a great film into an unforgettable one. See more Amber W @amber_jw Jun 18 an absolutely amazing film. emotional and touchy but brings so much light to issues like this in the world with morales and friendship behind it. 10/10, fabulous acting with a good message. See more Lucile F @lucile_fl Jun 14 Sleepers is a deeply emotional film about the innocence of a child, consequences and revenge. It shines a light on the abuse that goes on behind closed doors, domestically as well as in public establishments like schools. The issue with this film is the script itself, which is straightforward and sadly leaves no room for interpretation or suspense. Additionally, the second half of the film is almost exclusively set in the court, which can become long winded and repetitive and causes the loss of the film’s particular character. Sleepers remains a great film nevertheless and interpreted by an exquisite cast. See more Emmanuel W. @NolimitE May 18 One and done type of movie. See more Christina D. @NinaNinaBobina May 3 This haunting and disturbing story has stayed with me since I saw it many years ago when it came out. The ensemble cast is mesmerizing. The friendship is enduring. Absolutely a must see! See more Sean F @SeanAF Oct 27 Half sandlot-age actors, half not, full Robert De Niro excellence? Can't believe I hadn't heard of this before, it's better than anything in its genre post 2000 See more Read all reviews
Sleepers

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Cast & Crew

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Barry Levinson

Director

Kevin Bacon

Sean Nokes

Billy Crudup

Tommy Marcano

Robert De Niro

Father Bobby

Ron Eldard

John Reilly

Minnie Driver

Carol Martinez

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Sleepers

Sleepers (1996) Sleepers (1996) Sleepers (1996) Sleepers (1996) Sleepers (1996) Billy Crudup, Brad Pitt, Jason Patric, Minnie Driver and Ron Eldard. Geoff Wigdor, Joe Perrino, Jonathan Tucker and Brad Renfro. Ron Eldard, Billy Crudup, Brad Pitt, Jason Patric and Minnie Driver. Robert DeNiro. Brad Pitt (left) and Jason Patric. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Four teenage friends from Hell's Kitchen end up being sent to reform school after almost killing a man. There they are brutalized by the guards. John (Bruno Kirby) and Tommy (Terry Kinney) grow up to be hit men who recognize their abuser years later and kill him. Their trial is prosecuted by another member of their gang, who is now the assistant DA.
Director
Barry Levinson
Producer
Steve Golin
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
Propaganda Films, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, Baltimore Pictures
Rating
R (Language|Graphic Violence|Strong Sexual Content)
Genre
Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 18, 1996, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA)
$53.3M
Runtime
2h 30m
Sound Mix
Dolby SR, Dolby A, DTS, Surround, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)