The Sunset Limited

TV-MA

2011

1 hr. 31 min.

Drama

List

68%

28 Reviews

Tomatometer

80%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

A spiritual man (Samuel L. Jackson) and a suicidal professor (Tommy Lee Jones) have a philosophical debate.

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Premiered Jul 18

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Critics Consensus

The Sunset Limited's ambition is undercut by arch dialogue and a claustrophobic setting, but Tommy Lee Jones and Samuel L. Jackson's dueling performances bring heft to this battle of wills.

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Gal H

I love this movie, this movie isn't for everybody, I guess you have to love philosophy and discussions but this two actors are doing an amazing job carrying the movie on their backs.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/30/23

Full Review

Joe F

This movie has held a spot in my top ten favorite movies for years now. The simple nature of phenomenal writing propelled this movie to such heights in my eyes. On top of that, having two stars who bring such gravitas to the characters makes every word they say something your latch onto and ingest fully. There was no need for extra special sets, no need for CGI, just a couple actors and a monumental script working their magic and I loved every second of it. Thank you to all involved with this underrated, underrecognized movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/04/23

Full Review

Shioka O

Interesting to see the two movie star in this play adaptation.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

11/28/22

Full Review

Audience Member

Not sure it is worth the high rating, it's just 2 man's conversation in a box.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

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Audience Member

Absolutely amazing film. The dialogue is very rich and a philosophical masterpiece.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/09/23

Full Review

Audience Member

One of the best movies of the 21st century, no doubt about it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

Full Review

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Tommy Lee Jones

Director

Samuel L. Jackson

Black

Tommy Lee Jones

White

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61%

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Nancy DeWolf Smith

Wall Street Journal

The contest between the two men can be painful -- but is it meant to be laughable too?

Aug 7, 2020

Full Review

Christian Blauvelt

Entertainment Weekly

If The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada didn't already convince you that the man can direct, Jones' take on Sunset Limited proves his directorial skill.

Aug 7, 2020

Full Review

OC Register Staff

Orange County Register

The viewpoints make this production powerful. McCarthy's created a script where both positions come with very valid arguments. The discussions ring with a truthfulness because of the stars' skillful acting.

Aug 7, 2020

Full Review

Joe Cunningham

Radio Times

It's clear that this is a work whose natural home is on the stage. However, the two veteran actors are superb and more than justify the material being brought to the screen.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 7, 2020

Full Review

Chris Knight

National Post

Part of what makes [this pairing] so enjoyable is their shared history. Jackson and Jones worked together in 2000's Rules of Engagement, but there's also a pale shadow of Jackson's Bible-quoting assassin from Pulp Fiction in his character.

Aug 7, 2020

Full Review

Olivia Flores Alvarez

Houston Press

The film's claustrophobic setting adds to the emotional intensity. It's just two men, talking in a ratty room. There isn't much physical action, but the two cover lots of ground in their conversation.

Aug 7, 2020

Full Review

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Synopsis

A spiritual man (Samuel L. Jackson) and a suicidal professor (Tommy Lee Jones) have a philosophical debate.

Director: Tommy Lee Jones
Production Co: HBO Films
Rating: TV-MA (L)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 4, 2016

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