Sling Blade
Seen it?1996 | 135 min | Drama
Friday Night FlickWhy it’s a Friday Night Flick
Critics loved it (96% on Rotten Tomatoes), it won an Oscar, it made about 28 times its budget and it's still drawing plenty of interest. Make plans for this one.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 15 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Karl Childers, a mentally disabled man, has been in the custody of the state mental hospital since the age of 12 for killing his mother and her lover. Although thoroughly institutionalized, he is deemed fit to be released into the outside world.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
96% on Rotten Tomatoes, 84 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.5 out of 10
- AwardsStrong
Won 1 Oscar: Academy Awards: Best Screenplay – Based on Material Previously Produced or Published. Won 1 WGA Award: Writers Guild of America Awards: Best Screenplay – Based on Material Previously Produced or Published. Won 1 Independent Spirit Award: Independent Spirit Awards: Best First Feature. Also nominated for 1 more Oscar and 2 SAG Awards. Plus 10 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$34 million worldwide on a $1 million budget
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 550K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
Rain Man Friday Night FlickAnother drama, and a Friday Night Flick.
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed drama.
It's a Wonderful Life Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed drama.
In the Heat of the Night Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed drama.
The Good Lie
Saturday SpecialAnother drama, and a Saturday Special.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Billy Bob Thornton
- Billy Bob ThorntonKarl Childers
- Dwight YoakamDoyle Hargraves
- J.T. WalshCharles Bushman
- John RitterVaughan Cunningham
- Lucas BlackFrank Wheatley
- Natalie CanerdayLinda Wheatley
- James HamptonJerry Woolridge
- Robert DuvallKarl's Father
- Rick DialBill Cox
- Brent BriscoeScooter Hodges