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The Crucible

Play trailer Poster for The Crucible PG-13 1996 2h 3m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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72% Tomatometer 64 Reviews 66% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
After married man John Proctor (Daniel Day-Lewis) decides to break off his affair with his young lover, Abigail Williams (Winona Ryder), she leads other local girls in an occult rite to wish death upon his wife, Elizabeth (Joan Allen). When the ritual is discovered, the girls are brought to trial. Accusations begin to fly, and a literal witch hunt gets underway. Before long, Elizabeth is suspected of witchcraft, and John's attempt to defend her only makes matters worse.
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The Crucible

The Crucible

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Critics Consensus

This staid adaptation of The Crucible dutifully renders Arthur Miller's landmark play on the screen with handsome production design and sturdy performances, if not with the political anger and thematic depth that earned the drama its reputation.

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Critics Reviews

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Ryan Gilbey Independent (UK) Dec 7, 2018
Perhaps understanding the distance that these fictional interpretations have created, The Crucible seems to invite a moral and emotional, rather then political reading. Go to Full Review Joe Morgenstern Wall Street Journal May 17, 2013
Then there's always Mr. Scofield, bringing an almost unbearable, yet entirely believable, lightness of spirit to his loathsome character. It's a bold stroke by a great actor, making zealotry and evil seem positively beneficent. Go to Full Review David Ansen Newsweek May 17, 2013
I recommend Hytner's movie highly, but a part of me resists a work that makes the audience feel as noble in our moral certainty as the characters it invites us to deplore. Some part of its power seems borrowed from the thing it hates. Go to Full Review Dan DiNicola The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY) Apr 10, 2026
A
A powerful, vital and compelling adaptation of the great Arthur Miller play. Go to Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews Nov 2, 2024
3/4
The Crucible benefits from an increasingly compelling midsection and second half focused on Day-Lewis’ commanding figure... Go to Full Review Dennis Harvey 48 Hills Nov 30, 2023
Raymond Rouleau’s French-East German coproduction should provide something of a revelation... Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jacob C @Thegoat682 Oct 1, 2026 The movie was so insufferable. I hated every second of it, the entire movie was about some crazy hoe who kept managing to piss me off more and more every second. I hate stupid lying people. I don't how but how does every character movie manage to piss me off? I would rather watch Ant-Man Quantum Mania while jerking off with sandpaper than ever lay my eyes on this film again. I will say though that this movie did have one redeeming quality and it was the credits. See more Robert P @Superbad Sep 20, 2026 The Crucible = a *3.5* star Movie! See more Monty G @Montyginger Jan 1, 2026 Performances are amazing and the movie it self is scarier than any other horror film. It’s quiet and hunting. Winona was so good and is always a pleasure to watch ! See more Anthony H. @Hardy Dec 18, 2025 The Crucible, a powerful film that dives into the depths of human nature, revealing the capacity for evil. The performances in this film are nothing short of exceptional. While the narrative may be slow at certain points, the majority of the film is a relentless display of hatred and malevolence. This film left a profound impact on me, and I highly recommend it to anyone seeking to gain valuable insights into the human psyche. See more Isla L @RT06018919 Sep 12, 2025 A heart wrenchingly moving film with suspense and a chill across your spine when Winona comes in to the scene. As for Mr Daniel day Lewis all I can say is my man you were born in the wrong era. Most films do not move me to tears but this was like nothing other I’ve ever seen and worth the watch. See more Jelisije J @jjosifovic Aug 25, 2025 An absolute greatly acted masterpiece of a film that deals with the real life situation of the Salem Witch Trials and the horror of what happened in the year 1692. See more Read all reviews
The Crucible

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Cast & Crew

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Nicholas Hytner

Director

Daniel Day-Lewis

John Proctor

Winona Ryder

Abigail Williams

Paul Scofield

Judge Thomas Danforth

Joan Allen

Elizabeth Proctor

Bruce Davison

Reverend Parris

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The Crucible

The Crucible (1996) The Crucible (1996) The Crucible (1996) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis After married man John Proctor (Daniel Day-Lewis) decides to break off his affair with his young lover, Abigail Williams (Winona Ryder), she leads other local girls in an occult rite to wish death upon his wife, Elizabeth (Joan Allen). When the ritual is discovered, the girls are brought to trial. Accusations begin to fly, and a literal witch hunt gets underway. Before long, Elizabeth is suspected of witchcraft, and John's attempt to defend her only makes matters worse.
Director
Nicholas Hytner
Producer
Robert A. Miller, David V. Picker
Screenwriter
Arthur Miller
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Production Co
Twentieth Century Fox
Rating
PG-13
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 27, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$7.3M
Runtime
2h 3m
Sound Mix
Surround
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