Bad Lieutenant

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Bad Lieutenant

NC-17

1992

1h 38m

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

77%

Tomatometer

52 Reviews

74%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

The Lieutenant (Harvey Keitel) is a corrupt cop steeped in gambling debt who exploits his authority to sexually harass teenage girls, embezzle money and abuse drugs. His troubles come to a head when a mob lackey delivers an ultimatum: pay off his debt, or else. His fate appears sealed. But when The Lieutenant learns that a $50,000 reward is being offered to whoever catches a pair of thugs who raped a nun (Frankie Thorn), he jumps at the opportunity, hoping that he can still redeem himself.

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Critics Consensus

Bad Lieutenant will challenge less desensitized viewers with its depiction of police corruption, but Harvey Keitel's committed performance makes it hard to turn away.

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Jake Cole

Slant Magazine

Even by the scuzzy standards of Abel Ferrara’s filmography, Bad Lieutenant is particularly filthy.

Jun 5, 2024

Full Review

Peter Rainer

Los Angeles Times

[Keitel] keeps us watching his descent without wanting to look away. Only an actor with tremendous reserves of power could accomplish that.

Jan 8, 2019

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Peter Travers

Rolling Stone

It's a powerhouse performance in a film of jabbing intensity and wit.

Jan 8, 2019

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

…Abel Ferrara’s Bad Lieutenant is an extreme film about an extreme character... even if the subject matter is intended to disturb, it’s still a very good film, with a colossal central performance from Harvey Keitel as a corrupt cop with religious leanings

Rated: 4/5

Aug 21, 2025

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

It may be atypical in its vivid unpleasantries, but this production isn’t particularly entertaining; its presentation of cops and crimes isn’t as original as it is merely boundary-pushing.

Rated: 5/10

Feb 6, 2025

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Keitel’s performance is astonishing, with the actor completely exposing himself physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Rated: 3/4

Jun 18, 2024

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Jerod S

We get it - he's a dirty cop.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

09/27/25

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Fred W

Harvey Keitel is amazing

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/23/25

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Leo P

Could this be the worst movie ever made? For the best part of the film, we follow a meticulous account of Keitel getting stoned. Despite having consumed enormous quantities of alcohol and drugs, he is still able to drive the car. The plot takes a turn for the worse when he starts seeing divine visions which reveal him the righteous path. This, however, is cut short as the hero is shot dead soon afterward.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

09/14/25

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Stephen C

Success in 1 hour and 39 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $47,500.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/25/25

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Stephen C

One great classic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/29/24

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Dallas H

The Catholic guilt is spread on thick like Nutella on toast. As usual, Abel Ferrara loves to demonstrate the depravity of morality in the common human. Honestly, I prefer Ms. 45 over Bad Lieutenant, but this movie is filled with the in-our-face emotional strain. And it's crazy to see Zoë Lund appear in a small role as a drug junkie in this movie, as she also shared screenwriting credit with Ferrara and also appeared in the lead role in Ms. 45.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/25/24

Full Review

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Abel Ferrara

Director

Harvey Keitel

The Lieutenant

Frankie Thorn

The Nun

Zoë Lund

Zoe

Anthony Ruggiero

Lite

Eddie Daniels

Jersey Girl (driver)

Bad Lieutenant: Official Clip - She Forgives You

1:41

Bad Lieutenant: Official Clip - Fine Brown Stuff

2:59

Bad Lieutenant: Official Clip - I'm Sorry!

4:15

Bad Lieutenant: Official Clip - Routine Traffic Stop

4:18

Bad Lieutenant: Official Clip - Drug Counselor or Drug Dealer

2:30

Bad Lieutenant: Official Clip - Corner Store Altercation

2:14

Bad Lieutenant: Official Clip - Evidence

1:12

Bad Lieutenant: Official Clip - Forgiveness

3:26

Bad Lieutenant: Official Clip - Baseball Gambling

1:43

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Synopsis

The Lieutenant (Harvey Keitel) is a corrupt cop steeped in gambling debt who exploits his authority to sexually harass teenage girls, embezzle money and abuse drugs. His troubles come to a head when a mob lackey delivers an ultimatum: pay off his debt, or else. His fate appears sealed. But when The Lieutenant learns that a $50,000 reward is being offered to whoever catches a pair of thugs who raped a nun (Frankie Thorn), he jumps at the opportunity, hoping that he can still redeem himself.

Director: Abel Ferrara
Producer: Edward R. Pressman, Mary Kane
Screenwriter: Abel Ferrara, Zoë Lund
Production Co: Bad Lt. Productions
Rating: NC-17
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 1, 2007
Box Office (Gross USA): $47.5K
Runtime: 1h 38m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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