Sleepers
Sleepers

Sleepers

1996Movie147 minEnglish

Two gangsters seek revenge on the state jail worker who during their stay at a youth prison sexually abused them. A sensational court hearing takes place to charge him for the crimes.

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Insights

IMDb7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes71%
Metacritic48/100
Google Users86%
Director: Barry LevinsonGenres: Crime, Drama, Thriller

Plot Summary

Four childhood friends from the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood of New York City commit a petty crime that leads to them being sent to a juvenile detention center. There, they suffer horrific abuse at the hands of a sadistic guard. Years later, two of the friends, now lawyers, orchestrate a plan to get revenge on the guard and the corrupt system that allowed such atrocities to occur. Their scheme draws in the other two friends and puts them on a collision course with the mob and the legal system.

Critical Reception

Sleepers was met with mixed to positive reviews from critics, who praised its ambitious storytelling, strong performances, and suspenseful atmosphere. However, some found the plot convoluted and the film's tone uneven, particularly the shifts between childhood innocence and brutal violence. Audiences generally responded well to the film's dramatic impact and revenge narrative.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its gripping performances and intense dramatic narrative.
  • Criticized by some for its convoluted plot and tonal inconsistencies.
  • The film's exploration of revenge and justice resonated with many viewers.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated the film's powerful story of friendship and revenge, with many finding the performances compelling and the plot engaging. Some viewers noted the film's dark themes and brutality, but overall sentiment was positive regarding its emotional impact.

Fun Fact

The role of John Reilly was originally offered to Leonardo DiCaprio, but he turned it down to star in Romeo + Juliet.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
AstroNoud

AstroNoud

‘Sleepers’ uses a disturbing and unnecessary narration to tell its controversial revenge story, but the rich characters and great actors easily make up for that. 8/10
Wuchak

Wuchak

***Justifiable execution and justifiable lying*** “Sleepers” (1991) starts out as a coming-of-age film about four boys in 1966-1967 from Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan, and then morphs into a juvenile prison picture, which covers the first ho...