American History X

Play trailer

American History X

R

1998

1h 58m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

84%

Tomatometer

88 Reviews

96%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Living a life marked by violence and racism, neo-Nazi Derek Vinyard finally goes to prison after killing two black youths who tried to steal his car. Upon his release, Derek vows to change his ways; he hopes to prevent his younger brother, Danny, who idolizes Derek, from following in his footsteps. As he struggles with his own deeply ingrained prejudices and watches their mother grow sicker, Derek wonders if his family can overcome a lifetime of hate.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

American History X doesn't contend with its subject matter as fully as it could, but Edward Norton's performance gives this hard-hitting drama crucial weight.

Read Critics Reviews

David Edelstein

Slate

08/19/2011

Norton is an amazing actor, a hot-dog whose delight in transformation is infectious.

Go to Full Review

Geoff Andrew

Time Out

06/24/2006

Two things hold the interest: Norton's astounding performance, and a feeling for the male reality of reactionary working class environments.

Go to Full Review

Manohla Dargis

L.A. Weekly

10/07/2002

The problem is that Kaye, who's used to selling cars on TV, shoots Derek the Hater as lovingly as he would a new Volkswagen.

Go to Full Review

Wesley Lovell

Cinema Sight

10/05/2023

3/4

Making social statements is important, but so is quality writing. The film lacks too much in one area to be brilliant, but is successful enough in other areas that it is easily a good movie.

Go to Full Review

Joseph Robinson

Fish Jelly Films (YouTube)

08/19/2023

3.5/5

Equal parts disturbing and honest, American History X is a sobering look at the power of role models.

Go to Full Review

Akos Peterbencze

Frame Rated (Medium)

07/26/2023

The first half of the film works best because it uses rigorous violence and hate-speech to build and showcase the neo-Nazi group’s philosophy. The protagonist’s transformation in the second half is not as profound.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Landon J

@Minxsykitty Jul 29

I dunno. Lots of this plot felt highly unbelievable to me. It was interesting and entertaining for the most part, but I don't know that it deserves it's status. Kinda boring and predictable for the most part.

See more

gungi T

@WhatWhere Jul 27

Edward Norton is an expert at portraying the dichotomous nature of the self and its psychology. The charismatic leader of a pageant hardcore neo-Nazi group, who scoffs at and despises any ideological obstacle with arrogance, violence, and contempt, beckons to his other self: a subtle, despondent, and self-contained personality who encourages him and those around him to break ties with the shadowy parts of the past. However, the past leaves its mark, just like the swastika tattoos that remind Derek of his dark machinations, as illuminated by the black-and-white flashbacks. The cigarette, in particular, serves as a motif that connects ruminations on violence and illness within a vicious (family) circle.

See more

James A

@ablett001 Jul 24

The film is unapologetically gritty and relies on very real and bleak situations, yet is so well portrayed that you simply cannot take your eyes away from it. It may well be Norton's finest performance ever, in which he displays his ability to make an audience despise him and love him all in the space of 2 hours, whilst Furlong does a great job as the lost sheep and doting brother throughout. Everybody should see this film.

See more

Oscar T

@ScarfaceRampage Jun 27

Great performance and story

See more

Rohit R

@RT41221724 Jun 11

Another Edward norton movie ending that blew me completely. Powerful movie.

See more

Meri S.

@mschroeder May 31

Ugh. Not much has changed in terms of race relations in the US since this movie was made in ‘98. What a sad commentary. Replace George Floyd with Rodney king, and it’s the same freaking dialogue. Anyway amazing acting and script. I hope one day we can do better.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Tony Kaye

Director

Edward Norton

Derek Vinyard

Edward Furlong

Daniel "Danny" Vinyard

Fairuza Balk

Stacey

Beverly D'Angelo

Doris Vinyard

Avery Brooks

Bob Sweeney

One Night Stand

34%

39%

One Night Stand

Watchlist

Menace II Society

84%

93%

Menace II Society

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Menace II Society

Body Shots

11%

28%

Body Shots

Watchlist

Pump Up the Volume

81%

85%

Pump Up the Volume

Watchlist

The Rapture

66%

61%

The Rapture

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

Living a life marked by violence and racism, neo-Nazi Derek Vinyard finally goes to prison after killing two black youths who tried to steal his car. Upon his release, Derek vows to change his ways; he hopes to prevent his younger brother, Danny, who idolizes Derek, from following in his footsteps. As he struggles with his own deeply ingrained prejudices and watches their mother grow sicker, Derek wonders if his family can overcome a lifetime of hate.

Director: Tony Kaye
Producer: John Morrissey
Screenwriter: David McKenna
Distributor: New Line Cinema
Production Co: New Line Cinema, Turman-Morrissey Company
Rating: R (Nudity|Graphic Brutal Violence|Rape|Strong Sexuality)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 30, 1998, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 1, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $6.7M
Runtime: 1h 58m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings