The Salton Sea

Play trailer

The Salton Sea

R

Released Apr 26, 2002

1h 43m

Crime

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

63%

Tomatometer

83 Reviews

82%

Popcornmeter

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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

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

Read Critics Reviews

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

Steven Rosen

Denver Post

For what it is, it's well-done -- a stylized-beyond-reality derivation of Natural Born Killers, perhaps. Or a more gonzo version of Go or Blow. But the heart has been stylized out of it.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jul 12, 2002

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

Film Threat

Rated: 1.5/5

Dec 6, 2005

Full Review

Read all reviews

Stephen C

Success in 1 hour and 43 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Starring Val Kilmer as Danny Parker!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $676,700.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/12/25

Full Review

Janis E

I liked it because it was so endlessly, grotesquely, inventive.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/10/25

Full Review

thiago s

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

07/03/25

Full Review

Gina R

Overall, this examination of manufactured corruption set against a film noirish swagger may not have the in-depth impact like contemporaries L.A. Confidential or Memento, but this Sea is certainly worth swimming in

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/19/25

Full Review

Niko H

A raw & gritty classic with a lil extra sprinkled on top for entertainment. Give it time and watch it through.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/17/25

Full Review

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

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

D.J. Caruso

Director

Val Kilmer

Danny Parker

Vincent D'Onofrio

Pooh-Bear

Adam Goldberg

Kujo

Luis Guzmán

Quincy

Doug Hutchison

Gus Morgan

Insomnia

92%

77%

Insomnia

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Insomnia

Malice

55%

46%

Malice

Watchlist

Narc

84%

79%

Narc

Watchlist

Red Dragon

69%

74%

Red Dragon

Watchlist

The House on Turk Street

25%

25%

The House on Turk Street

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

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

Most Popular at Home Now