Relentless

R

1989

1h 33m

Mystery & Thriller

List

50%

6 Reviews

Tomatometer

32%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Los Angeles police detectives (Robert Loggia, Leo Rossi) track the so-called Sunset Killer (Judd Nelson), who taunts them with messages.

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Peter Bowen

OutWeek

Rather than provoking a twisted examination of the pathology of the police/criminal mind. Relentless unfortunately settles into a rather bland police buddy story.

May 19, 2020

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Violent but undemanding suspense yarn.

Rated: B-

Sep 3, 2015

Full Review

Caffeinated Clint

Moviehole

Nelson gives one of the most gripping performances of his career

Rated: 3/5

Aug 17, 2008

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Andy Klein

Los Angeles CityBeat

Rated: 1/5

Mar 24, 2005

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

It’s fairly standard thriller territory that’s employed to watchable (and periodically electrifying) effect...

Rated: 3/4

Nov 10, 2004

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Philip Martin

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Rated: 2/5

Feb 24, 2003

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Jay H

Cliches abound, but it's impossible to hate a movie with Robert Loggia.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

12/18/23

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Steve D

It is fine but too much like a million others.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/07/23

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william s

Bland,boring thriller that's wildly miscast.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

Smart and entertaining, Relentless is an edge-of-your-seat actioner that delivers a thrilling solid performance by Judd Nelson.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Other than an unique bit of casting that was the film's one selling point, there's nothing all that noteworthy about "Relentless", a fairly routine serial killer movie that I nevertheless enjoyed to a certain degree. It's great fun seeing Brat Packer Judd Nelson break out of the teen genre playing a sadistic killer, and even though he's only given a handful of dialogue, it's a good performance. The guy is dealing with a lot of issues, but Nelson makes the character work with mannerisms and body language. Also good in one of his few starring roles is Leo Rossi as the lead detective on the case, fresh off his memorable turn in "The Accused" the year before. He's convincing in the part, and a commanding presence that holds the entire picture together. There's nothing special about the story, and with one possible exception, the murders are routinely filmed. However, William Lustig is a premier B-movie director who knows how to handle this material. After all, he directed one of the most gruesome serial killer movies ever in "Maniac". This one emphasizes story over gore, but the similarities are definitely there, and Lustig manages to get a few effective shocks in. The best scene involves the murder of a female songwriter, and the finale is pretty exciting as well. Despite the fact that it may feel like you've already seen this movie, "Relentless" does manage to offer up a few surprises along the way. The lead performances alone make it worth seeing, with Nelson surprisingly good at adding menace to his thankless role.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

Full Review

dave j

Thursday, November 14, 2013 (1989) Relentless THRILLER The first of 4 movies about demented serial killers, Judd Nelson is psychopath Arthur 'Buck' Taylor, a man who is still scarred as a result of his abusive relationship with his father. The killings begin to start as soon as he gets a rejection letter from a certified shrink where he only goes after the people who have the same name as him which is Arthur Taylor. And leaves his mark by first trying to make it seem like they killed themselves and then planting a phonebook page on top of them with some words scribbled on it. Sam Dietz (Leo Rossi)is the homicide cop assigned to the case who was transferred from station to a new station where police don't work with each other as a result of a lack certified law enforcement officers. And he partners himself up with Homicide cop Bill Malloy (Robert Loggia) who often disputes with Dietz's assumptions and findings. This is the perfect example where much of the police protocols are incompetent, and that the victims don't appear to have any other close relatives or friends. The cops are too thick since their must already been cuckoo evidence around that the Judd Nelson character is not all there as well as his name- never mind the tape recorder. This is incompetent police work at it's best. the other thing I had a problem with is that although Nelson's performance is exceptional, I can't get over the fact that the so-called serial killer would know the victim's place of residence more than the people who live there in such a short time. 1 star out of 4

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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William Lustig

Director

Judd Nelson

Arthur "Buck" Taylor

Robert Loggia

Bill Malloy

Leo Rossi

Sam Dietz

Meg Foster

Carol Dietz

Patrick O'Bryan

Todd Arthur

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Synopsis

Los Angeles police detectives (Robert Loggia, Leo Rossi) track the so-called Sunset Killer (Judd Nelson), who taunts them with messages.

Director: William Lustig
Producer: Lisa M. Hansen, Paul Hertzberg
Screenwriter: Phil Alden Robinson
Production Co: CineTel Films, Out of The Dark Productions
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): May 25, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $7.0M
Runtime: 1h 33m
Sound Mix: Surround

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