Apt Pupil

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2:25

Apt Pupil

R,

1998,

1h 51m,

Drama

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Watchlist

54%

56 Reviews

Tomatometer

56%

25,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

54%

Tomatometer

56 Reviews

56%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

A high-school student (Brad Renfro) forms an unhealthy relationship with a former Nazi death-camp officer (Ian McKellen).

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Critics Consensus

A somewhat disturbing movie that works as a suspenseful thriller, yet isn't completely satisfying.

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Elizabeth Weitzman

Film.com

Jan 1, 2000

Nothing about the movie even makes sense!

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Michael Wilmington

Chicago Tribune

Jan 1, 2000

Effective but not overwhelming, bone-chilling but not blood-freezing, Apt Pupil is a good shocker that misses the ultimate horror.

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Jay Carr

Boston Globe

Jan 1, 2000

Apt Pupil is most compelling for its moral dimension.

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

Jan 21, 2025

4/5

…a disturbing, thoughtful movie that will provoke debate and discussion; it refuses to put war crimes in a box, and suggests that the motives behind the unforgivable genocides of the past remain latent in modern society…

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Trace Thurman

Horror Queers Podcast

Oct 23, 2023

3/5

It lacks the bite of King's novella, but the film adaptation of 'Apt Pupil' skates by on the talents of its two lead actors.

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Joe Lipsett

Horror Queers Podcast

Oct 19, 2023

2.5/5

It's become impossible to separate the art from the artist when it comes to alleged rapist Bryan Singer and this film. From the assaults that purportedly took place during filming to the framing of Brad Renfro's underage body, this is a hard watch

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Poe M

Jan 20, 2018

Flawed but somewhat interesting. I suppose it just gets out of hand thematically.

Leia S

Oct 25, 2017

vienas geresniu filmu

Poe W

Oct 17, 2017

My favorite character was the hustler.

George R

Sep 23, 2017

It is more of a topic that enchanted me than actual movie progression.

Theodore W

Aug 2, 2017

This is a film about a dark subject, someone who finds out about a man's terrible secret past, but not to do anything about it. Ian McKellen is great in it.

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Theodore M

Jul 25, 2017

Adapted from the Stephen King short story this is one of those perfect 90's DVD jobs, you get a pizza, put this on for a Friday night and will be entertained. If you try to examine the plausibility too much it will be found wanting, but with some decent performances from actors probably too good for the source and Singer cutting his teeth before he just churned out terrible X-Men sequels, this is worth the effort.

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Apt Pupil: Trailer 1

2:25

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Synopsis

A high-school student (Brad Renfro) forms an unhealthy relationship with a former Nazi death-camp officer (Ian McKellen).

Director: Bryan Singer
Producer: Don Murphy, Bryan Singer
Screenwriter: Stephen King, Brandon Boyce
Distributor: TriStar Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: TriStar Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Phoenix Pictures, Bad Hat Harry
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 16, 1998, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 11, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $8.8M
Runtime: 1h 51m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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