The Salton Sea

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The Salton Sea

R

2002

1h 43m

Crime

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

63%

Tomatometer

82 Reviews

82%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

After the murder of his beloved wife, a man (Val Kilmer) in search of redemption is set adrift in a world where nothing is as it seems. On his journey, he befriends slacker Jimmy The Finn (Peter Sarsgaard), becomes involved in rescuing his neighbor Colette (Deborah Kara Unger) from her own demons, and gets entangled in a web of deceit full of unexpected twists and turns.

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Critics Consensus

A slick Tarantino-inspired movie that is not for everyone.

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Bruce Westbrook

Houston Chronicle

08/23/2002

A-

Repellent yet intriguing, brutal yet funny, wicked yet strangely compassionate, The Salton Sea is more about mixing genres and styles than illuminating a credible reality.

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Robert K. Elder

Chicago Tribune

07/20/2002

2/4

Sacrificing content for style, Caruso gives us a lot to look at but little to ponder.

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Steven Rosen

Denver Post

07/12/2002

2.5/4

For what it is, it's well-done -- a stylized-beyond-reality derivation of Natural Born Killers, perhaps. Or a more gonzo version of Go or Blow. But the heart has been stylized out of it.

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Debbie Lynn Elias

Behind The Lens

11/15/2019

Cynical, devious and even deviant, The Salton Sea is one psychological thrill ride you don't want to miss.

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Film Threat

12/06/2005

1.5/5

Pablo Villaça

Cinema em Cena

07/25/2003

3/5

Com boas atuaes de Kilmer e D'Onofrio, o filme tem um roteiro razovel, mas sem foco. Salva-se graas ao interessante personagem principal.

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Stoner J

@Stoner Jul 28

Great freakin Tarantinoesque movie! The comedic parts played more goofy than funny but in the end, great indie revenge thriller.

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Mickey B.

@Mickerdoo Jan 26

Kilmer is cheesy, awesome and emo. Could’ve used some more Kujo drug crew antics. Pooh Bear was a weird bad. Plus Guzman and Trejo.

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James O

@Jamesoster Oct 9

Marked by an ambitious style and solid performances, but hampered by a story that buries its primary focus until late in the game.

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Tracy U

@Tracyule Oct 2

it's well-done -- a stylized-beyond-reality derivation of Natural Born Killers, perhaps. Or a more gonzo version of Go or Blow.

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ShawBarrie A

@MissMiller Sep 20

I still randomly ask if someone brought the plastic men. Nobody gets it, and it makes me sad, but it gives me an opportunity to recommend this movie. Many times when I was younger I said we should steal Bob Hope’s poop. It’s a good conversation opener and then I can introduce people to this gem. This dark, yet funny gem.

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Darsou C

@RT09893534 08/21/2025

The result is mesmerizing -- filled with menace and squalor.

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D.J. Caruso

Director

Val Kilmer

Danny Parker

Vincent D'Onofrio

Pooh-Bear

Adam Goldberg

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Luis Guzmán

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Synopsis

After the murder of his beloved wife, a man (Val Kilmer) in search of redemption is set adrift in a world where nothing is as it seems. On his journey, he befriends slacker Jimmy The Finn (Peter Sarsgaard), becomes involved in rescuing his neighbor Colette (Deborah Kara Unger) from her own demons, and gets entangled in a web of deceit full of unexpected twists and turns.

Director: D.J. Caruso
Producer: Frank Darabont, Eriq La Salle, Ken Aguado, Butch Robinson
Screenwriter: Tony Gayton
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Humble Journey Films, Castle Rock Entertainment, Darkwoods Productions
Rating: R (Language|Drug Use|Some Sexuality|Strong Violence)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 26, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA): $676.7K
Runtime: 1h 43m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo

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