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Poster for Summer of Sam

Summer of Sam

Seen it?

1999 | 142 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller

Weeknight Watch

Why it’s a Weeknight Watch

With a weak 6.5 out of 10 from audiences and a box office loss, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for crime-drama fans and anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved Se7en or The Departed, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Tense, dark and gritty.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 22 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated R: meant for adults.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

Spike Lee's take on the "Son of Sam" murders in New York City during the summer of 1977 centering on the residents of an Italian-American Northeast Bronx neighborhood who live in fear and distrust of one another.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsSolid

    51% on Rotten Tomatoes, 67 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesWeak

    6.5 out of 10

  • AwardsWeak

    0 wins and 4 nominations from smaller awards and festivals. Plus: Nominated for 1 Razzie, the "worst of the year" awards.

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $19 million worldwide on a $22 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 167K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Spike Lee

  • John LeguizamoVinny
  • Adrien BrodyRitchie
  • Mira SorvinoDionna
  • Jennifer EspositoRuby
  • Michael RispoliJoey T
  • Saverio GuerraWoodstock
  • Brian TarantinaBobby Del Fiore
  • Al PalagoniaAnthony
  • Ken GaritoBrian
  • Bebe NeuwirthGloria