Sling Blade

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Sling Blade

R,

1996,

2h 16m,

Drama

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Watchlist

Watchlist

96%

56 Reviews

Tomatometer

92%

50,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

56 Reviews

92%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Mentally disabled Karl Childers (Billy Bob Thornton) is released from the mental hospital where he has spent most of his life after murdering his mother and her lover. He soon forms a bond with Frank (Lucas Black), a boy whose father committed suicide. When Frank's mother, Linda (Natalie Canerday), lets Karl stay at their house, her cruel boyfriend, Doyle (Dwight Yoakam), tries to get Karl removed. Determined to protect his friend, Karl devises a way to save Frank from years of Doyle's abuse.

Critics Consensus

You will see what's coming, but the masterful performances, especially Thornton's, will leave you riveted.

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Rita Kempley

Washington Post

May 8, 2002

5/5

A masterpiece of Southern storytelling.

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Janet Maslin

New York Times

May 8, 2002

2.5/5

An abundance of long, flat medium shots that rob the film of intimacy and give it a sleepy pace.

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Kevin Thomas

Los Angeles Times

Feb 14, 2001

5/5

A mesmerizing parable of good and evil and a splendid example of Southern storytelling at its most poetic and imaginative.

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Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

Sep 1, 2022

B-

"Sling Blade" has a dull side, but it also has an edge sharp enough to draw blood.

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Wesley Lovell

Cinema Sight

Feb 12, 2022

3.5/4

With one feature film, an underutilized character actor emerged from relative obscurity to become one of the hottest properties in Hollywood. Although his career has had ups and downs since, its clear that a strong voice in cinema arrived...

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Matthew Rozsa

matthewrozsa.com

Sep 27, 2020

4/4

It is a full blooded story, rich in the best and worst of elements of the human condition, and one of the most satisfying cinematic experiences I've ever had.

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Kylo P

Apr 14, 2019

Simply genius. Funny, dark, happy and sad. This movie has it all. A once in a lift time script matched with a once in a lifetime performance.

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Poe P

Apr 9, 2019

10/04/2019

Luke R

Dec 13, 2018

Wow , just wow. I had never seen this movie till recently and Billy bob Thornton why oh why arebt you doing more films like this. This movie is simple, touching... and out right heartwrenching. He skillfully changed into an entirely different being in this film and your empathy for this character will be never ending. You'll hate the villains of this story and if you dont shes tears .. theres a chance you're not human. There are cheesy , humorous moments peppered throughout the story. A satisfying ending as well, even if the results are bitter sweet. If you've only seen his mask appeal comedy flick before like I had... you'll never look at him.the same way after watching this movie. A must watch

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Finn W

Jun 4, 2018

For "Sling Blade" Thornton deserves (and almost got) two academy awards: he is the movie! He wrote, directed and lead this great film!

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Kylo S

Jun 4, 2018

A masterpiece on love, good and evil, and sacrifice. Billy Bob Thornton is incredible.

Leia W

Mar 18, 2018

This is a sweaty, dark, familiar, & oddly comforting ride down a dirt road of winding emotions. I love how, though there is a plot, Thornton's direction never seems in a hurry to get to it. Instead, his steady & strong hand just meanders around this wonderful town. The performances are authentic and the characters engaging; you just wanna stay with them as long as you're welcome. And that conversation at Ritter's doorstep about God not sending him to hell gave this the 5-star bump for me.

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Billy Bob Thornton

Director

Billy Bob Thornton

Karl Childers

Dwight Yoakam

Doyle Hargraves

J.T. Walsh

Charles Bushman

John Ritter

Vaughan Cunningham

Lucas Black

Frank Wheatley

Sling Blade: Official Clip - We All Gotta Get Along

2:13

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Sling Blade: Official Clip - Doyle Loses It

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Sling Blade: Official Clip - Band Poetry

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Sling Blade: Official Clip - We're Different

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Sling Blade: Official Clip - Welcome to Our Humble Home

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Sling Blade: Official Clip - Some Folks Call It a Sling Blade

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Sling Blade: Official Clip - You Just a Boy

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Sling Blade: Official Clip - I Aim to Kill You

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Sling Blade: Official Clip - French Fried Potaters

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Sling Blade: Official Clip - You Will Be Happy

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Synopsis

Mentally disabled Karl Childers (Billy Bob Thornton) is released from the mental hospital where he has spent most of his life after murdering his mother and her lover. He soon forms a bond with Frank (Lucas Black), a boy whose father committed suicide. When Frank's mother, Linda (Natalie Canerday), lets Karl stay at their house, her cruel boyfriend, Doyle (Dwight Yoakam), tries to get Karl removed. Determined to protect his friend, Karl devises a way to save Frank from years of Doyle's abuse.

Director: Billy Bob Thornton
Producer: David Bushell, Brandon Rosser
Screenwriter: Billy Bob Thornton
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: Miramax
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 30, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 20, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $24.5M
Runtime: 2h 16m
Sound Mix: Surround

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