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Poster for Wise Blood

Wise Blood

Seen it?

1979 | 106 min | Comedy, Drama

Sunday Safe Betearly rating

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (88% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a lukewarm 6.4 out of 10 from audiences and 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 wants a laugh. If you loved Fried Green Tomatoes or Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret., start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Funny with heart.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 46 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated PG. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
  • Made in 1979: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

A Southerner--young, poor, ambitious but uneducated--determines to become something in the world. He decides that the best way to do that is to become a preacher and start up his own church.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    88% on Rotten Tomatoes, 84 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesBelow par

    6.4 out of 10

  • AwardsBelow par

    0 wins and 4 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 impactSolid

    About 43K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by John Huston

  • Brad DourifHazel Motes
  • Dan ShorEnoch Emory
  • Amy WrightSabbath Lily
  • Harry Dean StantonAsa Hawks
  • Mary Nell SantacroceLandlady
  • Ned BeattyHoover Shoates
  • John HustonGrandfather
  • William HickeyPreacher
  • J.L. ParkerKarl
  • Marvin SappRaymond