127 Hours

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127 Hours

R

2011

1h 33m

Biography

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

237 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

While exploring a remote canyon in Utah, mountaineer and adventurer Aron Ralston (James Franco) becomes trapped when a boulder falls on his arm. Over the next five days, Ralston examines his life and considers his options, leading him to an agonizing choice: to amputate his arm so that he can extricate himself and try to make his way back to civilization or remain pinned to the canyon wall and likely die. Based on Ralston's book, "Between a Rock and a Hard Place."

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Critics Consensus

As gut-wrenching as it is inspirational, 127 Hours unites one of Danny Boyle's most beautifully exuberant directorial efforts with a terrific performance from James Franco.

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

This may be a great film, and an ingenious film, but only if you've the stomach for it.

Aug 30, 2018

Full Review

Kaleem Aftab

Independent (UK)

Any film that relies on one actor to carry the movie demands a lot of its leading man but James Franco applies a youthful exuberance that makes him so watchable it's all viewers could do not to blink.

May 15, 2018

Full Review

Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

Franco... delivers a solid performance as the strapping climber who shows his vulnerability when he reflects back on his life--the mistakes he's made and the moments he may miss.

Rated: B

Sep 11, 2017

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Patrick Cavanaugh

The Wolfman Cometh

Both tremendously anxiety-inducing and life-affirming over the course of its run time.

Rated: 5/5

Sep 11, 2025

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Danilo Castro

Next Best Picture

Survival films are generally difficult to watch, given their dire subject matters, and there times when hitting standard dramatic beats inhibits the film’s creative flow, but “127 Hours” is about as entertaining and exciting as the genre gets.

Rated: 8/10

May 27, 2024

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

In the wrong hands, the story could have easily been toned down to movie-of-the-week quality banality. But the presentation is pure cinema, designed to create the illusion of motion and progress in otherwise stationary circumstances.

Rated: 4/4

Aug 3, 2023

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Johannes S

The runtime of about 95 minutes is perfectly adequate! God the cutting scene is hard to watch!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/19/25

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Pat K

I found the movie captivating, intense, kinda scary (I hike) and overall pretty well done. There are lessons to be learned here... like don't hike alone, especially hidden canyons, slot canyons, caves, secret trails, or secluded places. Once again, bring plenty of water & why is the Gatorade bottle sitting in his vehicle? I liked the movie but feel horrible about him losing his arm. I'm not sure I could cut off my own arm or limb.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/04/25

Full Review

Sebastian D

The film’s narrow focus can feel constraining, and pacing sags in repetitive moments. Some flashbacks feel tacked on, breaking the tension, and the graphic intensity may alienate casual viewers. It lacks the narrative depth of Boyle’s masterpieces like Slumdog Millionaire. Still, Franco’s brilliance and the film’s raw energy make it a compelling, if not flawless, character study. 127 Hours is a solid pick for fans of gritty, true-life dramas, delivering more heart than polish.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/21/25

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Tyler S

Just a solid yet tragic true story on Aron Ralston. I knew a little about his story before watching this, and I was a little worried how things would go since it was just going to be someone stuck in a cave for a long period. But I'd say they filled the time well and gave us a solid adaptation of the real event.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/08/25

Full Review

Gustavo A

Disturbing, surprising, and even chilling at times, surviving in extreme conditions. James Franco does it very well!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/21/25

Full Review

Michael V

Just an outstanding film based on the incredible true story. Top-tier direction with a flawless performance from James Franco.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/11/25

Full Review

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Synopsis

While exploring a remote canyon in Utah, mountaineer and adventurer Aron Ralston (James Franco) becomes trapped when a boulder falls on his arm. Over the next five days, Ralston examines his life and considers his options, leading him to an agonizing choice: to amputate his arm so that he can extricate himself and try to make his way back to civilization or remain pinned to the canyon wall and likely die. Based on Ralston's book, "Between a Rock and a Hard Place."

Director: Danny Boyle
Producer: Christian Colson, Danny Boyle, John Smithson
Screenwriter: Simon Beaufoy, Danny Boyle
Distributor: Fox Searchlight
Production Co: Darlow Smithson Productions, Cloud Eight
Rating: R (Disturbing Violent Content|Bloody Images|Language)
Genre: Biography, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 28, 2011, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 25, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $18.3M
Runtime: 1h 33m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS

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