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Over the Edge

Play trailer Poster for Over the Edge PG 1979 1h 35m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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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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Over the Edge

Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Darsou A Kaplan has a fine feel for the crushing blandness of "planned communities"-the anger that possesses his underage heroes proceeds from a physically oppressive emptiness, represented by rows of hollow town houses and vast, blasted fields. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/17/25 Full Review mark g A bizarre little coming of age film that in the end is wildly entertaining and an astute cultural representation of a time and place in America, where kids lashed out at becoming an afterthought of their parents. The situation facing the characters in this movie is not recognizable to generations that came later. Technological time consumers like cell phones, TikTok and Instagram were not an option.The kids here were literally carried like luggage to a housing development where life catered exclusively to adults. No amenities are available to young people outside school and an archaic rec center which provides little in the way of fun. Kids literally are expected to be content with nothing to do. The youth eventually turn to vandalism and drugs as an escape from boredom and frustration. Upper middle class kids turning violent because they're bored? Yes, these are 14 and 15 year olds opting out of the middle-aged "way of life" chosen by their parents The acting is top-notch, in particular Dillon, Kramer, and Ludwig. The direction is brilliant, with several epic shots. The soundtrack is incredible.. In fact, the soundtrack is legendary. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/08/25 Full Review Alana M Jonathan Kaplan's engaging exploitation nightmarish generation gap film is effective and honest. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/07/25 Full Review Oggie B 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. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/24/25 Full Review Emily H. This movie was good. I loved it. Matt Dillon’s first movie. It was a good movie and I loved the acting. It was good. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/04/25 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews
Over the Edge

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Cast & Crew

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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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Over the Edge

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Movie Info

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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