Over the Edge

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Over the Edge

PG

1979

1h 35m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

85%

Tomatometer

13 Reviews

84%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

With only a recreation center to distract them, most of the teenagers in the drab planned community of New Granada have turned to drugs and delinquency. Carl (Michael Kramer), the son of a town councilman, is an exception, but he can't seem to help falling in with a charismatic and troubled classmate, Richie (Matt Dillon). Soon after, a trigger-happy sheriff (Harry Northrup) shoots Richie, and sole witness Carl has to go on the run, eventually inciting a dramatic teenage riot.

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Anton Bitel

Little White Lies

This allegory of an America ever under construction examines, in a nuanced, even-handed manner, the money-obsessed mindset of adults, parents and entrenched authorities no less than the hostile recalcitrance of errant youth on their road to nowhere.

Jun 1, 2021

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Bruce McCabe

Boston Globe

Jonathan Kaplan's Over the Edge is a sensitive and deceptively shocking portrait of middle-class decadence and alienation set against an impersonal, dehumanized, futuristic Sunbelt society.

Apr 28, 2018

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Geoff Andrew

Time Out

Script, photography and performances (including Dillon before he decided to become a teenage Stallone) are all top notch, while Kaplan directs with pace, imagination, and a fine ear for dialogue and music.

Jan 26, 2006

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Despite the sympathetic slant toward the kids, this isn’t a simplistic “us vs. them” screed.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 24, 2024

Full Review

Larry Vitacco

Philadelphia Gay News

This genre has spawned more unmemorable films than quality ones; sadly, Over the Edge falls into the former category.

Rated: 1/4

May 27, 2020

Full Review

Fernando F. Croce

CinePassion

Planned suburbia, teenage wasteland

Sep 25, 2009

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Brian A

If you wanna know what it was like growing up before cell phones and computers. Young Matt Dillon. Possibly the greatest soundtrack of all time. I have watched this movie many times over the years. Just a bunch of bored kids trying to have some fun.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/08/25

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Vik D

I have read this is one of Kurt Cobain's favourite films and I can see why

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/25/25

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Me a

Great film, soundtrack, and look at future stars

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/23/25

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Audience Member

Adore this film, performances, and soundtrack

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/30/25

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Gina R

Script, photography and performances (including Dillon before he decided to become a teenage Stallone) are all top notch, while Kaplan directs with pace, imagination, and a fine ear for dialogue and music.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/19/25

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Helen D

A classic and great snapshot of a moment in time

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/13/25

Full Review

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Jonathan Kaplan

Director

Michael Eric Kramer

Carl

Pamela Ludwig

Cory

Matt Dillon

Richie

Vincent Spano

Mark

Tom Fergus

Claude

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Synopsis

With only a recreation center to distract them, most of the teenagers in the drab planned community of New Granada have turned to drugs and delinquency. Carl (Michael Kramer), the son of a town councilman, is an exception, but he can't seem to help falling in with a charismatic and troubled classmate, Richie (Matt Dillon). Soon after, a trigger-happy sheriff (Harry Northrup) shoots Richie, and sole witness Carl has to go on the run, eventually inciting a dramatic teenage riot.

Director: Jonathan Kaplan
Producer: George Litto
Screenwriter: Charles S. Haas, Tim Hunter
Production Co: Orion Pictures
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 11, 2015
Runtime: 1h 35m

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