Fresh

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Fresh

R

1994

1h 52m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

41 Reviews

91%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Fresh (Sean Nelson) is a 12-year-old drug dealer who finds himself trapped in a web of poverty, corruption and racial tension in Brooklyn, New York. When his drug-addict sister Nichole (N'Bushe Wright) starts sleeping with local drug lord Esteban (Giancarlo Esposito), Fresh calls upon the skills he learned playing chess with his alcoholic father and speed-chess champion Sam (Samuel L. Jackson) and devises a complex strategy that will free both himself and his sister.

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Critics Consensus

Well cast and sharply directed, Fresh serves as an attention-getting calling card for writer-director Boaz Yakin as well as a gripping urban drama.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

Though well acted, and handsomely shot by veteran Adam Holender, Fresh sacrifices real emotion for thriller contrivances. It's a tourist's drive through inner-city hell.

Mar 4, 2019

Full Review

Kenneth Turan

Los Angeles Times

Glibly shocking, it would like you to think it deals with the hard realities of urban life, but in fact it uses its patina of social consciousness as a come-on for the most conventional kind of violent commercial filmmaking.

Apr 21, 2015

Full Review

Kim Newman

Empire Magazine

The strength of the piece is that it realises which aspects of its genre have been seen too many times, always coming back to Nelson's blank but expressive stare as he watches terrible things the director doesn't need to shove in our faces.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 21, 2015

Full Review

Mal Vincent

The Virginian-Pilot

Surely not for the squeamish, this film will send you away with scars of your own.

Rated: 3/4

Feb 25, 2022

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Deborah Hornblow

Hartford Courant

Screenwriter Boaz Yakin makes a stunning directorial debut with "Fresh," the gripping, finely acted tale of a 12- year-old's life on the mean streets of New York.

Rated: 4/4

Sep 15, 2020

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Stephen Hunter

Baltimore Sun

The movie's two instincts are at complete odds with each other.

Rated: 2.5/4

Apr 21, 2015

Full Review

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Stephen C

1 hour and 52 minutes of drama!!!!!!!!!!!! Starring Samuel L. Jackson as Sam.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/20/25

Full Review

Audience Member

Absolute master class! Some people play checkers, but Fresh was playing chess the whole time! Four stars A+ Unbelievable movie!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/07/25

Full Review

Mark H

This movie got the juice yo, Its got the dope moves. Dope moves man, Im tellin' you.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/26/25

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Kris P

I have one word that describes Fresh Kills, Outstanding! Excellant star power with Jennifer Esposito starring and directing this movie. The cast is awesome. I loved the character of Rose, silent yet strong. From her youth to adulthood she wanted to break the circle and she did! Now we need a sequel! Please see this movie, you will not regret it!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/02/24

Full Review

Ronald R

Good Movie!! Recommended!!🍿🎥🍿

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/19/24

Full Review

TJ L

instant Classic, a Beyond Authentic Portrayal of being a Poor New York City Kid trying to Get Out of the Ghetto Projects by any means Necessary, Fresh is a Realistic inspiration for other 12 year Old's that Run Drug's for Drug Dealers

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/22/23

Full Review

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Boaz Yakin

Director

Sean Nelson

Fresh

Giancarlo Esposito

Esteban

Samuel L. Jackson

Sam

N'Bushe Wright

Nichole

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Synopsis

Fresh (Sean Nelson) is a 12-year-old drug dealer who finds himself trapped in a web of poverty, corruption and racial tension in Brooklyn, New York. When his drug-addict sister Nichole (N'Bushe Wright) starts sleeping with local drug lord Esteban (Giancarlo Esposito), Fresh calls upon the skills he learned playing chess with his alcoholic father and speed-chess champion Sam (Samuel L. Jackson) and devises a complex strategy that will free both himself and his sister.

Director: Boaz Yakin
Producer: Lawrence Bender, Randy Ostrow
Screenwriter: Boaz Yakin
Production Co: Miramax
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): May 23, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $7.7M
Runtime: 1h 52m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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