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Cruising

Play trailer Poster for Cruising R Released Feb 8, 1980 1h 46m Crime Drama LGBTQ+ Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
50% Tomatometer 66 Reviews 49% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
A psychopath is scouring New York City gay clubs and viciously slaying homosexuals. Detective Steve Burns (Al Pacino) is ordered to don leather attire, hang at the city's S&M joints and keep an eye out for the killer. But as Steve becomes immersed in club hopping, he begins to identify with the subculture more than he expected. Meanwhile, Steve behaves distantly around his girlfriend, Nancy (Karen Allen), the police force's homophobia becomes apparent and the killer remains at large.
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Cruising

Cruising

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Critics Consensus

Cruising glides along confidently thanks to filmmaking craft and Al Pacino's committed performance, but this hot-button thriller struggles to engage its subject matter sensitively or justify its brutality.

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Critics Reviews

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Anton Bitel Little White Lies Here Steve's 'undercover' status serves as a metaphor for his closetedness (and vice versa) - while murder is committed at the behest of an internalised paternal voice of authority that regards homosexuality as a guilt that must be bloodily expunged. Aug 19, 2019 Full Review Charles Champlin Los Angeles Times The principal complaint, artistically, about Cruising is that it is not very clear at the rudimentary level of exposition of character and event. The problem... is in a script that never seems sure enough what it wants to say or prove. Apr 29, 2019 Full Review Bruce McCabe Boston Globe William Friedkin's Cruising is a work of art. Apr 27, 2018 Full Review Frank J. Avella The Contending Both Cruising and The Boys in the Band are deeply flawed but transfixing cinematic representations of gay life at a time before the decimation of a generation of promising young men and the galvanizing of those that miraculously survived. Rated: B- Feb 17, 2025 Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand Seen with hindsight, it’s an interesting (if not necessarily satisfying) film, part sideshow and part art film dive into a subculture... A fascinating artefact but ultimately wanting. Nov 16, 2024 Full Review Eddie Harrison film-authority.com …a mixed bag even for hardened sensation-seekers…it’s hard to argue Cruising is a thoughtful, sensitive view of the NYC gay community; it feels more like a sensationalistic, exploitative take… Rated: 2/5 Oct 5, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Rami A Trying to be something you're not is often difficult, and Al Pacino's performance perfectly demonstrates that. Other things in the movie are questionable, however. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 09/09/25 Full Review Sami Z Cruising is a gritty, thought-provoking thriller that blends murder mystery with psychological ambiguity with a strong Al Pacino performance. Some scenes feel like filler and the plot could’ve been tighter, but the unsettling atmosphere and it's metaphorical nature makes it a fascinating watch. Controversial or not, it stands as a bold piece of cinema that’s worth seeing for fans of dark, challenging films. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 08/06/25 Full Review G.D. 0 Love how they dare to show. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/28/25 Full Review Landon J My initial reaction to this movie's ending was frustration for lack of clarity and resolution. Eventually, my feelings turned to appreciation for it's ambiguity. It has some really well shot atmosphere and setting scenes, in the park and clubs scenes especially. Not many period movies would dare to do a subject like this, especially with the severity and spectacle this title provides. This does a really good job of balancing a straightforward thriller with cool art house style, abstractness, and surrealism. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/07/25 Full Review David P I always liked this movie even though it falls a little bit short of total coherence. The mood, atmosphere, and acting are all fantastic. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/04/25 Full Review CodyZamboni Z Extremely well made, Brutal, raw, and riveting all the way, Lots of famous faces in supporting roles, Al Pacino commands the screen. Kudos to the filmmakers for ending.the movie in the way they did. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 12/07/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Cruising

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Cast & Crew

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William Friedkin

Director

Al Pacino

Steve Burns

Paul Sorvino

Capt. Edelson

Karen Allen

Nancy Gates

Richard Cox

Stuart Richards

Don Scardino

Ted Bailey

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Cruising

Cruising (1980) Cruising (1980) Cruising (1980) Cruising (1980) Cruising (1980) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis A psychopath is scouring New York City gay clubs and viciously slaying homosexuals. Detective Steve Burns (Al Pacino) is ordered to don leather attire, hang at the city's S&M joints and keep an eye out for the killer. But as Steve becomes immersed in club hopping, he begins to identify with the subculture more than he expected. Meanwhile, Steve behaves distantly around his girlfriend, Nancy (Karen Allen), the police force's homophobia becomes apparent and the killer remains at large.
Director
William Friedkin
Producer
Jerry Weintraub
Screenwriter
William Friedkin, Gerald Walker
Distributor
United Artists
Production Co
United Artists, Lorimar Film Entertainment
Rating
R
Genre
Crime, Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 8, 1980, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 21, 2016
Runtime
1h 46m
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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