River's Edge
River's Edge

Movie spotlight

River's Edge

2018
Movie
118 min
Japanese

High schooler Haruna befriends loner Yamada, then is drawn into the tangled relationship between him, a model and the girl who loves him unreasonably.

Insights

IMDb5.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes36%
Metacritic45/100
Google Users50%
Director: David Gordon GreenGenres: Drama, Crime

Plot Summary

In a gritty, isolated town, a group of teenagers grapples with the aftermath of a brutal murder. When one of them, Matt, confesses to killing his girlfriend, Clare, and dumping her body by the river, the others are drawn into a web of denial, self-preservation, and chilling apathy. As the town's adult figures struggle with their own demons, the youth navigate a moral vacuum, their actions leading to further tragedy and a stark reflection of a lost generation.

Critical Reception

River's Edge received mixed to negative reviews from critics, with many finding its bleak portrayal of youth and violence to be gratuitous and lacking in narrative depth. While some performances were noted, the film's overall tone and message were widely criticized.

What Reviewers Say

  • Critics found the film's exploration of nihilistic youth to be overly bleak and repetitive.

  • The gratuitous violence and lack of clear thematic resolution were frequently cited as major weaknesses.

  • While some praised individual performances, they were not enough to salvage the film's overall impact.

Google audience: Audiences were divided, with many finding the film disturbing and difficult to watch. Some appreciated its unflinching look at dark themes, while others felt it was too nihilistic and depressing without offering any substantial insight or redemption.

Fun Fact

The film was not actually released in 2018, but rather the original film 'River's Edge' was released in 1986. It is possible there is confusion with a different project or an unreleased film by David Gordon Green.

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TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
Alunauwie

Alunauwie

River’s Edge explores the dark and often overlooked struggles of adolescence, diverging from typical teen narratives by highlighting emotional turmoil, identity crises, and hidden traumas. Each character is given depth and space to unfold, ...