Bound

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Bound

R

Released Oct 4, 1996

1h 48m

Mystery & Thriller

LGBTQ+

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Popcornmeter

87%

Tomatometer

71 Reviews

83%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Sparks fly when Violet (Jennifer Tilly) sets eyes on Corky (Gina Gershon) in an elevator. Violet is the girlfriend of a violent gangster, Caesar (Joe Pantoliano), while Corky is fresh out of prison and doing renovations on the apartment next door. As the two women launch into a passionate love affair, they assemble an intricate plan for Violet to escape from Caesar, with two million dollars of the mob's money -- but the important part is to make it out alive.

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Critics Consensus

Bound's more titillating elements attracted attention, but it's the stylish direction, solid performances, and entertaining neo-noir caper plot that make it worth a watch.

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Jake Cole

Slant Magazine

This is an erotic thriller where eroticism is the agent of redemption, not damnation.

Jun 14, 2024

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Bruce Walker

Washington Post

Like so many other rob-the-mob movies, the plan seems pretty far-fetched, and the ending isn’t much of a surprise. But if you like your films sprinkled liberally with sex, violence and humor, then you’re bound to like "Bound."

Jul 21, 2023

Full Review

Janet Maslin

New York Times

The Wachowskis make a better debut than their screenplay for ''Assassins'' or their credit on ''Hellraiser'' comics might promise.

Jul 21, 2023

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Chance Solem-Pfeifer

Willamette Week

One of the most assured first films you’ll ever see, Bound rearranges and pressurizes ‘50s noir tropes into a sexy, cathartic queer thriller.

Jan 22, 2025

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Joshua Ryan

FandomWire

The bare-bones approach and minimal budget add a layer of rawness and authenticity.

Rated: 9/10

Oct 1, 2024

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Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

1996’s Bound has Gina Gershon and Jennifer Tilly as co-conspirators and lovers in what’s not just one of the great neo-noirs, but way up there amongst mainstream Hollywood depictions of lesbian love and lust.

Jun 13, 2024

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Sarah G

Tilly and Gershon are great together. Great twist on film noir.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/16/25

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Mason M

Though this film isn't lacking flaws, I still immensely enjoyed this tense bottle thriller. Bound starts out pretty rough but becomes incredibly engaging in the 2nd and 3rd act, and this film could've been ruined by its lackluster performances from the two female leads, but Joe Pantoliano largely saves this film with his always great performance which probably stands as my favorite role of his. Though I'm not quite sure who the "protagonist" is supposed to be in this film and how I should feel about the ending, this creative neo-noir from the Wachowskis is tense, surprising, and greatly enjoyable.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/17/24

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Torin F

BOUND is the Wachowskis' feature film debut, and their skillful direction elevates the film into something more than the sum of its parts. Though a neo-noir erotic crime thriller that relies heavily on melodrama and violence, the film has a certain style and cinema artistry that hints at the greatness to come with The Matrix.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/29/24

Full Review

R 9

'Bound' is a fun one! I've always wanted to get this watched since growing up with (the great) Jennifer Tilly via the 'Chucky' franchise and having heard this mentioned on/off down the years, so I'm glad that I have belatedly done so. It's entertaining! I knew of the love stuff and it sure does deliver, though I am surprised it only really happens at the beginning... it makes sense, I just assumed it was gonna be recurring throughout. Tilly and Gina Gershon are excellent together, very strong onscreen chemistry! Like with what I previously mentioned, I was also slightly surprised that Gershon disappears for what felt like a decent chunk of the movie; despite being literally next door. Again, works for the story but would've expected her to be there all the way. Joe Pantoliano stars behind them, ahead of a solid supporting cast. One to watch, which is interestingly The Wachowskis' directorial debut.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/24/24

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Corey J

pretty good, the dialogue at the beginning was a bit awkward but it smoothed out a little.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/22/23

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PridePosterStudios

“What did she do to you?” “Everything you couldn’t”

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/26/24

Full Review

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Lilly Wachowski

Director

Lana Wachowski

Director

Jennifer Tilly

Violet

Gina Gershon

Corky

Joe Pantoliano

Caesar

Barry Kivel

Shelly

Diabolique

23%

39%

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Synopsis

Sparks fly when Violet (Jennifer Tilly) sets eyes on Corky (Gina Gershon) in an elevator. Violet is the girlfriend of a violent gangster, Caesar (Joe Pantoliano), while Corky is fresh out of prison and doing renovations on the apartment next door. As the two women launch into a passionate love affair, they assemble an intricate plan for Violet to escape from Caesar, with two million dollars of the mob's money -- but the important part is to make it out alive.

Director: Lilly Wachowski, Lana Wachowski
Producer: Andrew Lazar, Stuart Boros
Screenwriter: Lilly Wachowski, Lana Wachowski
Distributor: Gramercy Pictures
Production Co: Dino De Laurentiis Productions
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 4, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 5, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $3.8M
Runtime: 1h 48m
Sound Mix: Surround

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