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Cape Fear

Play trailer Poster for Cape Fear R Released Nov 13, 1991 2h 8m Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
75% Tomatometer 57 Reviews 77% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
When attorney Sam Bowden (Nick Nolte) knowingly withholds evidence that would acquit violent sex offender Max Cady (Robert De Niro) of rape charges, Max spends 14 years in prison. But after Max's release, knowing about Sam's deceit, he devotes his life to stalking and destroying the Bowden family. When practical attempts to stop Max fail, Sam realizes that he must act outside the law to protect his wife and daughter in Martin Scorsese's remake of the classic 1962 thriller.
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Cape Fear

Cape Fear

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Critics Consensus

Smart and stylish, Cape Fear is a gleefully mainstream shocker from Martin Scorsese, with a terrifying Robert De Niro performance.

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Critics Reviews

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Wendy Ide The Times (UK) Yet the grubby story is elevated by a superior cast in both the original and this grimly bloodthirsty remake. Aug 14, 2023 Full Review Victoria Luxford BBC.com (De Niro) had played a tough guy before, but never quite like this: a very sinister, very jagged, very dangerous character… put that together with Martin Scorsese at possibly the peak of his powers, and it’s a delightful if slightly scary film. May 6, 2022 Full Review Adam Nayman The Ringer Martin Scorsese wasn't supposed to remake the 1962 thriller, but when he did, he brought along his longtime muse and infused the story with an overwhelming amount of trademark chaos... Nov 20, 2021 Full Review Terry Francis Southern Voice (Atlanta) The picture's missteps are more than numerous. Rated: 2.5/4 May 8, 2023 Full Review Peter Keough Boston Phoenix Ever shot reminds you that a consummate artist is having a great time remaking a kinky minor classic. Apr 21, 2023 Full Review Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) Everything is relatively dirty, and no one is truly good, except for this film, it's phenomenal. [Full review in Spanish] Jan 4, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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L J. Creepy and haunting. Cast is great and Deniro’s acting is superb Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/28/25 Full Review Bruno V Filme que coloca pressão na sua mente, mas enrola para uma barbaridade qiase sem fim. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/21/25 Full Review Gage H The casting in this was phenomenal. I’ve never seen Robert DiNiro so jacked in my life. Other than that, this movie wasn’t my cup of tea. Nothings scarier than not being able to protect your loved ones. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 07/18/25 Full Review Esra Y It's very Hitchcockian in camera language and sound desing. Performances are powerful Robert De Niro and Jessica Lange stand out. Script is rough. Watched it many years ago and couldn't remember a thing about it, now that i watched again i can see why. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 07/16/25 Full Review Ray C probably the worst work of Scorsese Rated 3 out of 5 stars 07/13/25 Full Review Zane T De Niro puts on one of the best performances ever on screen. Nolte does his best too. Though weirdly Nolte did not get nominated for lead actor at the Oscars neither did Lange. Overall the movie is great. And it's not only an acting best movie but also in directing. It's an underrated Martin Scorsese film. Since many talk about his previous or later works. This one is basically in the middle and goes heavily unrecognized. It's only ever talked about a few times and only ever about the villain Max Cady. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/08/25 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cape Fear

Cape Fear: Official Clip - Cady Kills Kersek Cape Fear: Official Clip - Cady Kills Kersek 2:43 Cape Fear: Official Clip - More Than Human Cape Fear: Official Clip - More Than Human 2:34 Cape Fear: Official Clip - Cady Drowns Cape Fear: Official Clip - Cady Drowns 2:22 Cape Fear: Official Clip - Leigh Offers Herself Cape Fear: Official Clip - Leigh Offers Herself 2:17 Cape Fear: Official Clip - Sucking Cady's Thumb Cape Fear: Official Clip - Sucking Cady's Thumb 2:58 Cape Fear: Official Clip - Strip Search Cape Fear: Official Clip - Strip Search 2:35 Cape Fear: Official Clip - Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are Cape Fear: Official Clip - Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are 2:58 Cape Fear: Official Clip - The People vs. Samuel Bowden Cape Fear: Official Clip - The People vs. Samuel Bowden 3:03 Cape Fear: Official Clip - Cady's Release Cape Fear: Official Clip - Cady's Release 1:18 Cape Fear: Official Clip - Smoking and Cackling Cape Fear: Official Clip - Smoking and Cackling 2:23 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis When attorney Sam Bowden (Nick Nolte) knowingly withholds evidence that would acquit violent sex offender Max Cady (Robert De Niro) of rape charges, Max spends 14 years in prison. But after Max's release, knowing about Sam's deceit, he devotes his life to stalking and destroying the Bowden family. When practical attempts to stop Max fail, Sam realizes that he must act outside the law to protect his wife and daughter in Martin Scorsese's remake of the classic 1962 thriller.
Director
Martin Scorsese
Producer
Robert De Niro, Barbara De Fina
Screenwriter
John D. MacDonald, James R. Webb, Wesley Strick
Distributor
Universal Pictures, MCA/Universal Pictures [us], Universal Home Entertainment
Production Co
Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment, Tribeca Productions
Rating
R
Genre
Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 13, 1991, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$76.4M
Runtime
2h 8m
Sound Mix
Surround
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