127 Hours

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127 Hours

R

Released Jan 28, 2011

1h 33m

Biography

Drama

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Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

236 Reviews

85%

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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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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

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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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Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

It's the best movie one would want to watch with their eyes closed. [Full review in Spanish]

Oct 6, 2022

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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

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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

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Jey D

One of the greatest human survival stories...and one of the greatest survival films. The ending is incredibly inspirational.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/11/25

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William G

Shades of Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning in this stunning true story.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/06/25

Full Review

Leo H

Una muy buena película badada en hechos reales si la recomiendo

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/22/25

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Daniel C. M

For a movie that almost entirely relies on only direction and acting, it definetely excels with perfection in both deparments. Danny Boyle borderline psychodelic directing style combined with the cinematography successfully gives this movie a very raw and visceral look, with the stunning intentional lo-fi home-video style. I don't think i need to even begin on lecturing over Franco's breathtaking performance, the realest one that year, it's a shame he didn't won the Academy Award for it. Overrall, this is a perfect movie you will not regret watching and you will never forget it either, all under a great pacing and short runtime too.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/29/25

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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