The Accused
Seen it?1988 | 111 min | Crime, Drama
Saturday SpecialWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It earned strong reviews (93% on Rotten Tomatoes), it won an Oscar and it's still drawing plenty of interest. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime-drama fans. If you loved Cape Fear or Sleepers, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Dark and gritty.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 51 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Out drinking one night after a fight with her boyfriend, three men brutally rape Sarah Tobias in a bar while people watch and cheer. District Attorney Kathryn Murphy takes the case; however, she allows the rapists to receive a mild sentence. A distraught Sarah decides to seek punishment for the men who witnessed and encouraged the rape. To get justice, Sarah must take the stand and revisit the night of her attack.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
93% on Rotten Tomatoes, 65 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.1 out of 10
- AwardsStrong
Won 1 Oscar: Academy Awards: Best Actress. Won 1 Golden Globe: Golden Globe Awards: Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama. Also nominated for 1 BAFTA and 1 Berlin award. Plus 3 other awards.
- Reach & staying powerSolid
Streaming release that reached a modest audience; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 269K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Jonathan Kaplan
- Jodie FosterSarah Tobias
- Kelly McGillisKathryn Murphy
- Bernie CoulsonKen Joyce
- Leo RossiCliff 'Scorpion' Albrect
- Ann HearnSally Fraser
- Carmen ArgenzianoD.A. Paul Rudolph
- Steve AntinBob Joiner
- Tom O'BrienLarry
- Peter Van NordenAttorney Paulsen
- Terry David MulliganLieutenant Duncan