Apt Pupil

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2:25

Apt Pupil

R

Released Sep 16, 1998

1h 51m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

54%

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57 Reviews

56%

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25,000+ Ratings

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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Globe and Mail

Rated: 2/4

Apr 24, 2002

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Susan Stark

Detroit News

Major junk!

Rated: 1/4

Jan 1, 2000

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Jay Carr

Boston Globe

Apt Pupil is most compelling for its moral dimension.

Jan 1, 2000

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

…a disturbing, thoughtful movie that will provoke debate and discussion; it refuses to put war crimes in a box, and suggests that the motives behind the unforgivable genocides of the past remain latent in modern society…

Rated: 4/5

Jan 21, 2025

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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

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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

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Audience Member

A decent film that doesn't dare to go where the novella goes. It's clear in King's story that Todd is a very screwed up kid well before he meets Denker. He's probably a burgeoning sociopath, and his interest in holocaust material is largely sadistic. (Especially disturbing because novella Todd is only 13.) This kinship between two psychopaths (although they hate each other, there's a grudging respect) is what makes the story interesting. In the film, Todd just seems very curious, doesn't realise what he's getting into, and ends up warped by Denker's influence. A safer and more commercially palatable choice but way less interesting.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/25/25

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Katy T

Ian McKellen is believable in his role and this performance carries the film. An okay movie.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/23/25

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Teddy B

King's novella ties the elements of the story together tighter, but for what it is 'Apt Pupil' is an exceedingly disturbing film thanks to the strong writing of its source material.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/07/24

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Anton H

As disturbing as many of its scenes can be, this one is consistently captivating, and leaves the audience desperate to find out just what will happen next. An excellent and suspenseful thriller.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/08/24

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Audience Member

The movie drags a little longer than it should and also the plot does not keep you interested after a while. Nothing to think twice about.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

07/09/24

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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

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Apt Pupil: Trailer 1

2:25

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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
Producer: Don Murphy, Bryan Singer
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
Runtime: 1h 51m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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