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The Young Poisoner's Handbook

Name: The Young Poisoner's Handbook
Genre: Comedy, Crime, Drama
Released: 1995-01-20
Cast: Hugh O'Conor, Antony Sher, Ruth Sheen, Roger Lloyd Pack, Charlotte Coleman

1995 | 99 min | Comedy, Crime, Drama

Saturday Specialearly rating

Why it’s a Saturday Special

It earned strong reviews (86% on Rotten Tomatoes), despite almost no lasting buzz. 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 and anyone who wants a laugh. If you loved Arsenic and Old Lace or Kind Hearts and Coronets, start here.
The mood: Funny with heart.
The pace: Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 39 min.
What might put you off: Nothing much for most grown-ups.

Graham Young is a teenage misfit living in suburban London in the 1960s. He hates his stepmother but loves chemistry, and the two impulses unite in a wicked plot to slowly poison her. After she dies, he's found guilty and sent to a psychiatric hospital, where an idealistic doctor thinks he can be cured.

How it earned its rating

CriticsStrong
86% on Rotten Tomatoes
AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
AwardsWeak
1 win and 0 nominations from smaller awards and festivals
Reach & staying powerBelow par
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
Buzz & cultural impactWeak
About 14K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Benjamin Ross

Hugh O'ConorGraham Young
Antony SherDr. Ernest Zeigler
Ruth SheenMolly
Roger Lloyd PackFred
Charlotte ColemanWinnie
Paul StaceyDennis
John ThomsonNathan
Jack DeamMick
Charlie Creed-MilesBerridge
Robert DemegerMr. Dexter