Rotten Tomatoes Logo Do you want to see ‘American History X’?

American History X (1998)

tomatometer

81

Average Rating: 7.3/10
Reviews Counted: 81
Fresh: 66 | Rotten: 15

A compelling and provocative story led by an excellent performance by Edward Norton.

70

Average Rating: 6.6/10
Critic Reviews: 23
Fresh: 16 | Rotten: 7

A compelling and provocative story led by an excellent performance by Edward Norton.

audience

96

liked it
Average Rating: 4.2/5
User Ratings: 430,180

My Rating

Movie Info

Tony Kaye made his feature directorial debut with this dramatic exploration into the roots of race hatred in America. In a shocking opening scene, teen Danny Vinyard (Edward Furlong) races to tell his older brother, neo-Nazi Derek (Edward Norton), about the young blacks breaking into his car in front of the house, whereupon Derek gets his gun and with no forethought shoots the youths in their tracks. Tried and convicted, Derek is sent away for three years in prison, where he acquires a different

R, 1 hr. 58 min.

Drama

David McKenna

Apr 6, 1999

New Line Cinema

Cast

All Critics (81) | Top Critics (23) | Fresh (68) | Rotten (16) | DVD (20)

Norton is an amazing actor, a hot-dog whose delight in transformation is infectious.

August 19, 2011 Full Review Source: Slate | Comment
Slate
Top Critic IconTop Critic

What partly redeems American History X from its most preachy excesses -- and makes it worth seeing -- is a brilliant, career-high performance by actor Edward Norton.

April 12, 2002 Full Review Source: Globe and Mail | Comment
Globe and Mail
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Though well-intentioned, turns out to be a simplistic and unconvincing look at a serious problem.

February 14, 2001 Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | Comment
Los Angeles Times
Top Critic IconTop Critic

The film is always interesting and sometimes compelling, and it contains more actual provocative thought than any American film on race since Do the Right Thing.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | Comments (2)
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic IconTop Critic

This jolting, superbly acted film will draw serious-minded upscale viewers interested in cutting-edge fare and the latest outstanding performance by Edward Norton.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Variety | Comment
Variety
Top Critic IconTop Critic

A compelling, if somewhat choppy, tragic drama!

January 1, 2000 Comment
Mr. Showbiz
Top Critic IconTop Critic

A well-made, well-acted and often violent film that offers a compelling portrait of redemption and the destructive nature of racism.

August 19, 2011 Full Review Source: Film4 | Comment

This dark drama is not for kids.

December 14, 2010 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media | Comments (14)
Common Sense Media

If didactic and overwrought at times, it's also powerful and persuasive. [Blu-ray]

May 25, 2009 Full Review Source: Groucho Reviews | Comment

...thought provoking, yet unsettling...hard-hitting, yet compassionate. (Blu-ray Edition)

April 16, 2009 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis | Comment
Movie Metropolis

...a violent film on a weighty topic...frank and honest, its characters, actions, and ideas compelling the viewer to look further and become involved.

April 16, 2009 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis | Comment
Movie Metropolis

Any idiot can make us wince at the ugliness of beatings and shootings.

July 23, 2007 Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | Comments (28)
eFilmCritic.com

Two things hold the interest: Norton's astounding performance, and a feeling for the male reality of reactionary working class environments.

June 24, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out | Comment

Well-intentioned and well-acted but unconvicning, this saga provides an instructive example to the simplistic approach taken by movies when tackling the social problem of racism.

February 26, 2006 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com | Comments (2)

American History X is flawed, yes, but is a worthwhile film that covers territories not dealt with in recent years.

April 9, 2005 Full Review Source: Reeling Reviews | Comment
Reeling Reviews

Pesado e incômodo, discute o racismo com inteligęncia e conta com uma interpretaçăo absolutamente impecável de Edward Norton.

August 29, 2004 Comment
Cinema em Cena

Derrick's journey to hell and the one back are portrayed organically and gradually.

December 8, 2002 Full Review Source: Film Threat | Comment
Film Threat

It is Edward Norton's riveting performance as a smart kid seduced by horrible ideas that makes the story real.

October 15, 2002 Full Review Source: Cincinnati Enquirer | Comment
Cincinnati Enquirer

The problem is that Kaye, who's used to selling cars on TV, shoots Derek the Hater as lovingly as he would a new Volkswagen.

October 7, 2002 Full Review Source: L.A. Weekly | Comments (6)
L.A. Weekly

The film stars the electrifying Edward Norton in his best performance to date.

September 10, 2002 Full Review Source: Montreal Film Journal | Comment
Montreal Film Journal
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for American History X

American History X is a incredible and brilliant view on racism that has become one of the most loved and acclaimed films of all time. The plot shows us the terrible views of racism and how the people who support it are like, the film does this without feeling like an after school special that wants us to stay away

August 15, 2011
DreamExtractor
Brad Wright

Super Reviewer

[Rewatch]A hauntingly powerful film that will stay with you long after you've watched it. A performance so believable by Ed Norton and such a great physical transformation that he truly forced the way through on White Supremacy creating a very controversial film. A story of misdirected hate and anger.One of the best

June 11, 2007
76Majikat

Super Reviewer

    1. Danny Vinyard: I believe in: Death, Destruction, Chaos, Filth and Greed!
    – Submitted by Sylvester K (25 days ago)
    1. Derek Vinyard: You see this? It means NOT WELCOME!
    – Submitted by Breno d (31 days ago)
    1. Bob Sweeney: Has anything you've done made your life better?
    – Submitted by Sara T (2 months ago)
    1. Cameron Alexander: You made the fat kid a little nervous. He thinks the joint messed with your mind.
    2. Derek Vinyard: It did.
    – Submitted by Sam B (6 months ago)
    1. Derek Vinyard: Fuck you! (while getting raped)
    – Submitted by Andy S (8 months ago)

Latest News for American History X

August 25, 2009:
EW Lists 16 Classic "Dare You to Look" Scenes
All the Nazi-scalpin' action in "Inglourious Basterds" has got the EW staff to thinking about some...

October 7, 2007:
American History X Directors Cut Coming...Sort Of
In 1998, director Tony Kaye battled New Line Cinema over the release of American History X....

What's Hot On RT

Luis Guzman
Luis Guzman

What are his 10 best movies ever?

<em>Amazing Spider-Man</em>
Amazing Spider-Man

See the all-new action-packed trailer!

The Avengers!
The Avengers!

Five new Marvelous pictures

Total Recall
Total Recall

Unconventional Superheroes

Top Movie Quizzes

LEGO Mania: 2011 Best Picture Nominees
by natalie - 18,527 taken
created 12 months ago
How Much Do You Know About Leonardo DiCaprio?
by natalie - 44,331 taken
created 15 months ago
Pixar Movies!
by jdikwlzviv - 27,092 taken
created 15 months ago
The Wizards of Harry Potter
by jdikwlzviv - 27,604 taken
created 15 months ago
Help | About | Jobs | Newsletter | Critics Submission | API | Licensing | Blog | Developers | Mobile