Chrystal

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Chrystal

R,

2004,

2h 0m,

Drama

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Watchlist

Watchlist

79%

19 Reviews

Tomatometer

57%

1,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

79%

Tomatometer

19 Reviews

57%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Returning to his hometown after 16 years in prison, Joe (Billy Bob Thornton) has to contend with his deeply troubled past, particularly the car accident that killed his son and permanently damaged his wife, Chrystal (Lisa Blount), both physically and emotionally. While Chrystal struggles to deal with Joe's renewed presence in her life, he tries to win her forgiveness. Joe's criminal history also comes into play when he must confront his old rival, a drug dealer named Snake (Ray McKinnon).

Critics Consensus

Where Chrystal's going isn't always clear, but this slow-burning story proves effective -- and marks writer-director-star McKinnon as a multi-hyphenated talent to watch.

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Kevin Crust

Los Angeles Times

Jun 9, 2005

3/5

Chrystal unravels a bit toward the end as it becomes more fable-like, but the performances make it worthwhile.

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Todd McCarthy

Variety

May 27, 2005

Respectable piece of work is reasonably involving if not compelling.

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Eric Harrison

Houston Chronicle

May 27, 2005

3/4

It's meandering and uneven, but much of it is powerfully effective and affecting.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Apr 13, 2026

3/4

This is the sort of film in which the story often feels incidental to its makers’ ability to capture a specific landscape and its people.

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Ken Hanke

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Sep 1, 2005

3.5/5

A sometimes audacious, occasionally downright brilliant, always watchable work that somehow just misses being wholly successful.

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David Kronke

Los Angeles Daily News

Jun 10, 2005

2.5/4

While some of the low-key atmospherics are effective, and Thornton suffers with exquisite quietude, some important scenes unfortunately are clumsily staged.

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Ray McKinnon

Director

Billy Bob Thornton

Joe

Lisa Blount

Chrystal

Ray McKinnon

Snake

Harry Lennix

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Walton Goggins

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Synopsis

Returning to his hometown after 16 years in prison, Joe (Billy Bob Thornton) has to contend with his deeply troubled past, particularly the car accident that killed his son and permanently damaged his wife, Chrystal (Lisa Blount), both physically and emotionally. While Chrystal struggles to deal with Joe's renewed presence in her life, he tries to win her forgiveness. Joe's criminal history also comes into play when he must confront his old rival, a drug dealer named Snake (Ray McKinnon).

Director: Ray McKinnon
Producer: Ray McKinnon, David Koplan, Bruce Heller, Walton Goggins, Lisa Blount
Screenwriter: Ray McKinnon
Production Co: Ginny Mule Pictures, Chrystal Productions, Panache Pictures
Rating: R (Sexuality|Drug Content|Nudity|Language|Violence)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 16, 2004, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 17, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $80.7K
Runtime: 2h 0m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital

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