Bad Lieutenant

Play trailer

Bad Lieutenant

NC-17

1992

1h 38m

Crime

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

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

Full Review

Peter Travers

Rolling Stone

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

Jan 8, 2019

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

Read all reviews

Jerod S

We get it - he's a dirty cop.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

09/27/25

Full Review

Fred W

Harvey Keitel is amazing

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/23/25

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

Stephen C

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

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/29/24

Full Review

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

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

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

View more videos

Romper Stomper

78%

73%

Romper Stomper

Watchlist

Night and the City

57%

30%

Night and the City

Watchlist

Romeo Is Bleeding

28%

61%

Romeo Is Bleeding

Watchlist

Billy Bathgate

36%

28%

Billy Bathgate

Watchlist

Red Rock West

95%

76%

Red Rock West

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

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)

Most Popular at Home Now