U-Turn

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U-Turn

R

Released Oct 3, 1997

2h 5m

Crime

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

59%

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54 Reviews

63%

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25,000+ Ratings

A two-bit criminal (Sean Penn) meets an attractive woman (Jennifer Lopez) and her spouse (Nick Nolte), each of whom wants him to murder the other.

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Critics Consensus

U-Turn is a lurid, stylish lark that boasts striking moments but lacks the focus and weight of Oliver Stone best work.

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Martin Hoyle

Financial Times

This is a knowing, sophisticate's view of film noir: mannered, heartless, kitsch.

Jan 20, 2023

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Geoff Brown

The Times (UK)

In essence this is potboiler stuff. But it is a positive relief to find the director of Natural Born Killers in holiday mood.

Jan 20, 2023

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Richard Williams

Guardian

Those who have learnt to distrust this director will hardly be surprised to learn that here is a film giving murder a bad name.

Jan 20, 2023

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Michael Dwyer

Irish Times

The more outsized the performances the more fun the film, and while Penn is refreshingly less mannered than usual, it's the scenery-chewers who carry the picture.

Jan 24, 2023

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Filmmaker Oliver Stone has infused U Turn with exactly the sort of over-the-top, less-than-subtle vibe one might've anticipated...

Rated: 3/4

Apr 11, 2020

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Matt Brunson

Creative Loafing

With the exception of 1988's lacerating Talk Radio, U Turn might be the most forgotten film in Oliver Stone's canon -- a shame, since it offers sinful pleasures for those willing to take the ride.

Rated: 3/4

Apr 8, 2015

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timmy a

One of Stone's best and most underrated films!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/14/25

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Audience Member

Well, most will know the movie in 2025. It's a personal fav of mine. Penn's best work, J Lo when she was just an actress, Booth, always good, and Nolte was excellent. Joaquin and Danes as drama fiends were hilarious. I like most of Stones work, including his writing. This is a fun and zany and dark thriller. Typical Stone tropes like shots of snakes and scorpions abound but maybe too much, like I felt in Natural born Killers. Some of the frenetic editing can be off-putting at times, not unlike tony Scott did to a much worse degree. It's a must for your collection. Also, Voigt's Indian accent was super on point and not easy to duplicate for a white person and J Lo's was also excellent. I wish and think J Lo should just be doing drama's as most forgot how fantastic she is acting.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/07/25

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Piya S

Great characters, performances, and stylishly shot

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/25/25

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Jeremy A

This movie was awesome. There were many twists. It was goofy. It was fun. It was good. 4.5*

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/15/24

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Horror fan 4

What a terrific movie filled with great performances and cameo's. The ending was hilarious and filled with twists. Tim Treakle

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/03/24

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David H

Once again the critics are wrong this is an entertaining movie

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/28/24

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Oliver Stone

Director

Sean Penn

Bobby Cooper

Nick Nolte

Jake McKenna

Jennifer Lopez

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Synopsis

A two-bit criminal (Sean Penn) meets an attractive woman (Jennifer Lopez) and her spouse (Nick Nolte), each of whom wants him to murder the other.

Director: Oliver Stone
Producer: Dan Halsted, Clayton Townsend
Screenwriter: John Ridley
Production Co: Canal+ Droits Audiovisuels, Phoenix Pictures, Illusion Entertainment Group, Clyde Is Hungry Films
Rating: R
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 3, 1997, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 25, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $6.6M
Runtime: 2h 5m
Sound Mix: Surround, Mono

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