Mean Creek
Seen it?2004 | 90 min | Crime, Drama
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (89% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
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 Drugstore Cowboy or Thirteen, 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 30 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: expect drug use.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Teenagers living in small-town Oregon take a boat trip for a birthday celebration. When they get an idea to play a mean trick on the town bully, it suddenly goes too far. Soon they're forced to deal with the unexpected consequences of their actions.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
89% on Rotten Tomatoes, 74 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
6.8 out of 10
- AwardsSolid
Won 1 Independent Spirit Award: Independent Spirit Awards: John Cassavetes Award. Plus 3 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$604K worldwide on a $500K budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 106K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
Drugstore Cowboy
Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed drug-world crime drama.
Kids Sunday Safe BetAnother coming-of-age crime drama, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Hot Summer Nights
Weeknight WatchAnother drug-world crime drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Thirteen
Saturday SpecialAnother coming-of-age drama, and a Saturday Special.
Elephant Saturday SpecialAnother crime drama, and a Saturday Special.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Jacob Aaron Estes
- Rory CulkinSam Merric
- Scott MechlowiczMarty
- Trevor MorganRocky Merric
- Josh PeckGeorge Tooney
- Ryan KelleyClyde
- Carly SchroederMillie
- Branden WilliamsKile
- Heath LourwoodJasper
- J.W. CrawfordTom
- Kaz GarasDetective Wright