Killer of Sheep
Seen it?1978 | 80 min | Drama
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (98% 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 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 1 hr 20 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1978: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
An African-American man working at a slaughterhouse in the Watts area of Los Angeles leads a dissatisfied and listless existence.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
98% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
6.6 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$417K worldwide on a $100K budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 57K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Charles Burnett
- Henry G. SandersStan
- Kaycee MooreStan's Wife
- Charles BracyBracy
- Angela BurnettStan's Daughter
- Eugene CherryEugene
- Jack DrummondStan's Son