Sling Blade

R

Released Aug 30, 1996

2 hr. 16 min.

Drama

List

97%

58 Reviews

Tomatometer

92%

50,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Mentally disabled Karl Childers (Billy Bob Thornton) is released from the mental hospital where he has spent most of his life after murdering his mother and her lover. He soon forms a bond with Frank (Lucas Black), a boy whose father committed suicide. When Frank's mother, Linda (Natalie Canerday), lets Karl stay at their house, her cruel boyfriend, Doyle (Dwight Yoakam), tries to get Karl removed. Determined to protect his friend, Karl devises a way to save Frank from years of Doyle's abuse.

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Critics Consensus

You will see what's coming, but the masterful performances, especially Thornton's, will leave you riveted.

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Bryan M

I watch it at least once a year. Probably my favorite movie ever. Top 5 for sure and I've seen just about everything.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/05/24

Full Review

bao s

Americana masterpiece. Southern Gothic is alive and well in 1996.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/06/24

Full Review

John W

A masterpiece of storytelling!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/09/24

Full Review

A W

Billy Bob Thornton's greatest acting role. And Dwight Yoakam is good in this as well.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/03/23

Full Review

Margo M

It's a shame this has become so difficult to stream or purchase in the US. Fantastic acting and story, and the sudden twist leaves you rethinking the entire purpose of the movie, making it worth watching again and again.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/12/23

Full Review

Aaron S

What makes the movie unforgettable and phenomenal is the spot on acting from the entire cast. The script wasn't anything extraordinary or that original but it doesn't matter. Each actor's character was so genuine it felt like your average small town. Dwight Yoakam gets props for his hilarious red neck evil ass. I wish indie movies today had the heart of Sling Blade. Well done Billy Bob Thornton.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/29/23

Full Review

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Billy Bob Thornton

Director

Billy Bob Thornton

Karl Childers

Dwight Yoakam

Doyle Hargraves

J.T. Walsh

Charles Bushman

John Ritter

Vaughan Cunningham

Lucas Black

Frank Wheatley

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Sling Blade: Official Clip - We All Gotta Get Along

2:13

Sling Blade: Official Clip - Doyle Loses It

2:12

Sling Blade: Official Clip - Band Poetry

2:10

Sling Blade: Official Clip - We're Different

2:04

Sling Blade: Official Clip - Welcome to Our Humble Home

2:13

Sling Blade: Official Clip - Some Folks Call It a Sling Blade

2:11

Sling Blade: Official Clip - You Just a Boy

2:01

Sling Blade: Official Clip - I Aim to Kill You

2:13

Sling Blade: Official Clip - French Fried Potaters

1:26

Sling Blade: Official Clip - You Will Be Happy

2:05

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Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: A-

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Susan Stark

Detroit News

Rated: 3/4

May 9, 2002

Full Review

Rita Kempley

Washington Post

A masterpiece of Southern storytelling.

Rated: 5/5

May 8, 2002

Full Review

Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

"Sling Blade" has a dull side, but it also has an edge sharp enough to draw blood.

Rated: B-

Sep 1, 2022

Full Review

Wesley Lovell

Cinema Sight

With one feature film, an underutilized character actor emerged from relative obscurity to become one of the hottest properties in Hollywood. Although his career has had ups and downs since, its clear that a strong voice in cinema arrived...

Rated: 3.5/4

Feb 12, 2022

Full Review

Matthew Rozsa

matthewrozsa.com

It is a full blooded story, rich in the best and worst of elements of the human condition, and one of the most satisfying cinematic experiences I've ever had.

Rated: 4/4

Sep 27, 2020

Full Review

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Synopsis

Mentally disabled Karl Childers (Billy Bob Thornton) is released from the mental hospital where he has spent most of his life after murdering his mother and her lover. He soon forms a bond with Frank (Lucas Black), a boy whose father committed suicide. When Frank's mother, Linda (Natalie Canerday), lets Karl stay at their house, her cruel boyfriend, Doyle (Dwight Yoakam), tries to get Karl removed. Determined to protect his friend, Karl devises a way to save Frank from years of Doyle's abuse.

Director: Billy Bob Thornton
Executive Producer: Larry Meistrich
Screenwriter: Billy Bob Thornton
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: Miramax
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 30, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 20, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $24.5M
Sound Mix: Surround