The Salton Sea

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The Salton Sea

R

Released Apr 26, 2002

1h 43m

Crime

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

63%

Tomatometer

83 Reviews

82%

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10,000+ Ratings

After the murder of his beloved wife, a man (Val Kilmer) in search of redemption is set adrift in a world where nothing is as it seems. On his journey, he befriends slacker Jimmy The Finn (Peter Sarsgaard), becomes involved in rescuing his neighbor Colette (Deborah Kara Unger) from her own demons, and gets entangled in a web of deceit full of unexpected twists and turns.

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Critics Consensus

A slick Tarantino-inspired movie that is not for everyone.

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Empire Magazine

Rated: 3/5

May 2, 2003

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Bruce Westbrook

Houston Chronicle

Repellent yet intriguing, brutal yet funny, wicked yet strangely compassionate, The Salton Sea is more about mixing genres and styles than illuminating a credible reality.

Rated: A-

Aug 23, 2002

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Robert K. Elder

Chicago Tribune

Sacrificing content for style, Caruso gives us a lot to look at but little to ponder.

Rated: 2/4

Jul 20, 2002

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Debbie Lynn Elias

Behind The Lens

Cynical, devious and even deviant, The Salton Sea is one psychological thrill ride you don't want to miss.

Nov 15, 2019

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Ryan Cracknell

Movie Views

The overall voyage on The Salton Sea is an uneasy one hampered by a confusing story that admits out loud it doesn't know where it's going.

Dec 17, 2010

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Film Threat

Rated: 1.5/5

Dec 6, 2005

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Janeane W

Excellent movie! Criminally underrated. Everything about this movie is amazing; the cinematography, DJ Caruso's directorial style, Val Kilmer and Vincent D'Onofrio's acting and - above all else - great writing! Also Thomas Newman's score is haunting and heartbreaking. This movie should've won an Oscar

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/05/25

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Jennifer M

I love love this movie. I've watched it probably 200 times I'll watch it 200 times more it is again one of Val kilmer's underrated movies, but certainly not an underrated performance by Val at all like all of his movies he went above and beyond what most actors can or willing to do he sets himself inside of the character and let's it ride and let's not forget about Vincent's dinofrio's part in this movie fantastic as always. So those of us with ADHD or add or any kind of attention span problems do have to sit and pay attention because there are twists and turns everywhere in this movie it's a story about grief and revenge and moving on I really hope you watch this because I think if you are true movie fan especially if you're a true Val kilmer and Vincent real fan you will love this I promise you.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/12/25

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Steve S

This movies badass. Do yourself a favor and watch it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/05/25

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John A

Absorbing direction is at the core of this visually-inspired and slightly cerebral low class crime drama.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/18/24

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James B

Great performance by val kilmir. worth watching for his acting. Intense film as good as a tarantino film.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/04/23

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Audience Member

Born at the Salton Sea looking for the truth you won't find it Directed by SJ Caruso Val Kilmer is a man dragged into a world of thugs and speed junkies Kilmer plays Danny Parker, his wife is murdered during a drug home invasion at the Salton Sea so he looks to start fresh elsewhere Jimmy "The Finn" he befriends while rescuing a woman Collette from her own demons Soon though he gets entangled in a web of deceit full of unexpected twists and turns It has that Quentin Tarantino vibe that'll either please or turn off viewers Not a lot of emotional depth and the story is confusing at best But Kilmer carries this psychological drug drama giving enough to look at if not ponder too much

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

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D.J. Caruso

Director

Val Kilmer

Danny Parker

Vincent D'Onofrio

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Synopsis

After the murder of his beloved wife, a man (Val Kilmer) in search of redemption is set adrift in a world where nothing is as it seems. On his journey, he befriends slacker Jimmy The Finn (Peter Sarsgaard), becomes involved in rescuing his neighbor Colette (Deborah Kara Unger) from her own demons, and gets entangled in a web of deceit full of unexpected twists and turns.

Director: D.J. Caruso
Producer: Frank Darabont, Eriq La Salle, Ken Aguado, Butch Robinson
Screenwriter: Tony Gayton
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Humble Journey Films, Castle Rock Entertainment, Darkwoods Productions
Rating: R (Language|Drug Use|Some Sexuality|Strong Violence)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 26, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA): $676.7K
Runtime: 1h 43m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo

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