Apt Pupil

R

Released Sep 16, 1998

1 hr. 51 min.

Drama

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List

54%

56 Reviews

Tomatometer

56%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

A high-school student (Brad Renfro) forms an unhealthy relationship with a former Nazi death-camp officer (Ian McKellen).

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Critics Consensus

A somewhat disturbing movie that works as a suspenseful thriller, yet isn't completely satisfying.

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Jeffrey P

Kinda dated, released over twenty-five years ago and WWII Nazis aren't all that relevant anymore. The dynamic involved, an old Nazi and his relationship with a high school aged boy, is just an odd watch that had no deeper meaning or lesson to be learned.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/25/24

Full Review

Audience Member

I feel like they marketed the movie wrong. I was expecting a thriller leaning closer to horror and it was leaning towards more of a drama for me. Brad renfro was great in it though!

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/19/24

Full Review

Peter G

The novella APT PUPIL from a Stephen King collection DIFFERENT SEASONS is by turns, disturbing, absorbing, & unpleasant, but the ironic thing regarding the film is that it is more effective, IMO, by playing down some of the more atrocious elements in King‘s otherwise involving narrative. No spoilers from me here so one would have to experience both the story & the film to compare the relative eventual impact that is presented. Singer‘s film is in many ways a bit more subtle than the short book it's taken from & what I gather King accepted the changes Singer made. It's a worthy follow up to Singer‘s THE USUAL SUSPECTS but the imaginative construct of that film is both more novel & original. Still. I feel, APT PUPIL, rather underrated, holds considerable merit & both McKellen & Renfro add greatly to its effective atmosphere. John Ottman who edited & scored both films contributes a musical score that without viewing the credits is instantly recognizable as from the composer of THE USUAL SUSPECTS.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/11/24

Full Review

Valeria M

Oggi si potrebbe fare un film completamente aderente al racconto di King, ma questo film è una trasposizione eccellente che allude laddove non si poteva esplicitare.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/10/23

Full Review

James V

Ian McKellen and Brad Renfro should be enough to carry this character driven story, but the stakes feel small and it's not well directed. Should have been a hit with the material and acting power in the movie.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

Full Review

ronald h

I remember reading the original Stephen King story years ago and thinking it was the meanest thing he ever wrote. Just dark and depressing. This film captures that, even though the ending has been changed. You'll walk away from this one feeling morose and hopeless. It's very well filmed and directed, absolutely top quality. And Ian McKellen's performance is impressive. But what a downer!

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

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Bryan Singer

Director

Ian McKellen

Kurt Dussander

Brad Renfro

Todd Bowden

Bruce Davison

Richard Bowden

Elias Koteas

Archie

Joe Morton

Dan Richler

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Apt Pupil: Trailer 1

2:25

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Globe and Mail

Rated: 2/4

Apr 24, 2002

Full Review

Susan Stark

Detroit News

Major junk!

Rated: 1/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

James Berardinelli

ReelViews

The most disappointing thing about Apt Pupil is the lack of sustained tension generated by director Bryan Singer.

Rated: 2/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Trace Thurman

Horror Queers Podcast

It lacks the bite of King's novella, but the film adaptation of 'Apt Pupil' skates by on the talents of its two lead actors.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 23, 2023

Full Review

Joe Lipsett

Horror Queers Podcast

It's become impossible to separate the art from the artist when it comes to alleged rapist Bryan Singer and this film. From the assaults that purportedly took place during filming to the framing of Brad Renfro's underage body, this is a hard watch

Rated: 2.5/5

Oct 19, 2023

Full Review

Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

McKellen gives one of the year's great performances.

Rated: A

Jul 23, 2007

Full Review

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Synopsis

A high-school student (Brad Renfro) forms an unhealthy relationship with a former Nazi death-camp officer (Ian McKellen).

Director: Bryan Singer
Executive Producer: Tim Harbert
Screenwriter: Stephen King, Brandon Boyce
Distributor: TriStar Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: TriStar Pictures, Bad Hat Harry, Phoenix Pictures, Paramount Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 16, 1998, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 11, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $8.8M
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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