Sling Blade

Play trailer

Sling Blade

R

1996

2h 16m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

57 Reviews

92%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

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.

Critics Consensus

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

Read Critics Reviews

Rita Kempley

Washington Post

05/08/2002

5/5

A masterpiece of Southern storytelling.

Go to Full Review

Janet Maslin

New York Times

05/08/2002

2.5/5

An abundance of long, flat medium shots that rob the film of intimacy and give it a sleepy pace.

Go to Full Review

Kevin Thomas

Los Angeles Times

02/14/2001

5/5

A mesmerizing parable of good and evil and a splendid example of Southern storytelling at its most poetic and imaginative.

Go to Full Review

Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

09/01/2022

B-

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

Go to Full Review

Wesley Lovell

Cinema Sight

02/12/2022

3.5/4

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...

Go to Full Review

Matthew Rozsa

matthewrozsa.com

09/27/2020

4/4

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.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Carson C.

@CarsonCole Dec 10

I'm sure what I'm gonna say has all been said before but this movie is a masterpiece. Superbly written and the acting is all around awesome with Dwight Yoakam and especially Billy Bob Thornton putting on an acting masterclass. To transform yourself without any make-up or effects is a true talent. Enthralling from start to finish.

See more

Brandi W

Nov 21

This show is one of my all time favorites. Its funny, loving and it shows us that all we need is someone to understand. We all dont have to agree, but understanding someone and caring.. is a great start.

See more

Sean G

Nov 15

Heart wrenching , heart warming , just incredible

See more

@Erock1991 Jul 26

Such a wonderful movie. Billy Bob Thornton's performance is legendary. A must see

See more

CaptainBoulder T

Jul 17

An phenomenal movie with phenomenal acting, I love seeing the trust build up and the relationship grow strong

See more

Kyle G

Jun 20

So many wholesome moments, dark moments, coming of age moments. Standout performance for me, surprisingly, was Dwight Yoakam's amazing portrayal of Doyle, the psychopath boyfriend.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

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

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

View more videos

Smoke

89%

89%

Smoke

Watchlist

Fresh

88%

91%

Fresh

Watchlist

Welcome to Sarajevo

80%

74%

Welcome to Sarajevo

Watchlist

Albino Alligator

50%

42%

Albino Alligator

Watchlist

She's So Lovely

68%

62%

She's So Lovely

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

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
Producer: David Bushell, Brandon Rosser
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
Runtime: 2h 16m
Sound Mix: Surround