After Dark, My Sweet
After Dark, My Sweet

Movie spotlight

After Dark, My Sweet

1990
Movie
114 min
English

Three desperados try to kidnap a wealthy child in hope of turning their lives around.

Insights

IMDb6.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes71%
Metacritic61/100
Google Users78%
Director: James FoleyGenres: Crime, Drama, Neo-noir, Thriller

Plot Summary

A washed-up boxer drifts into a small California town, where he falls for a lonely, enigmatic woman. Their tentative romance turns dangerous when they become entangled in a kidnapping plot orchestrated by a former police officer and a dangerous, drug-addled accomplice. The trio's plans quickly spiral into betrayal, violence, and desperation as they attempt to pull off the heist.

Critical Reception

After Dark, My Sweet was met with generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its atmospheric neo-noir style, strong performances, and suspenseful narrative. While not a commercial success, it has since gained a cult following for its bleak portrayal of desperation and its stylish execution.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its stylish neo-noir atmosphere and palpable sense of dread.

  • Lauded for the compelling performances of its lead actors, particularly Patric and Ward.

  • Recognized for its effective suspense and dark, unpredictable narrative.

Google audience: Viewers often commend the film's moody and atmospheric presentation, likening it to classic film noir. Many appreciate the performances and the tense, character-driven plot, though some find the pacing occasionally slow.

Awards & Accolades

None notable.

Fun Fact

The film is based on the 1988 novel of the same name by Jim Thompson, a celebrated author known for his gritty and often bleak crime fiction.

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