One False Move
Seen it?1992 | 105 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (93% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a box office loss. 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 and anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved Assault on Precinct 13 or Menace II Society, 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 1 hr 45 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: expect violence and drug use.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Following a series of drug deals and murders, three criminals -- Fantasia, Ray Malcolm and Pluto -- travel from Los Angeles to Houston, finally arriving in a small Arkansas town to go into hiding. Two detectives from the LAPD, who are already on the case, contact the town's sheriff, Dale Dixon, to alert him of the fugitives' presence in the area. Underestimating Dixon, the criminals have no idea what they are about to face.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
93% on Rotten Tomatoes, 87 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
6.7 out of 10
- AwardsSolid
Won 1 Independent Spirit Award: Film Independent Spirit Awards: Best Director. Also nominated for 4 more Independent Spirit Awards. Plus 5 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$2 million worldwide on a $3 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 92K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Weeknight WatchAnother small-town crime drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Assault on Precinct 13
Saturday SpecialAnother crime thriller.
Menace II Society Saturday SpecialAnother crime drama, and a Saturday Special.
El Gringo Weeknight WatchAnother small-town drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Extreme Prejudice Weeknight WatchAnother crime thriller, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Carl Franklin
- Bill PaxtonDale "Hurricane" Dixon
- Cynda WilliamsFantasia / Lila
- Billy Bob ThorntonRay Malcolm
- Michael BeachPluto
- Jim MetzlerDud Cole
- Earl BillingsMcFeely
- Natalie CanerdayCheryl Ann
- Robert GinnavenCharlie
- Robert Anthony BellByron
- Kevin HunterRonnie