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Sling Blade

Sling Blade (1996)

tomatometer

96

Average Rating: 8.3/10
Reviews Counted: 51
Fresh: 49 | Rotten: 2

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

88

Average Rating: 8/10
Critic Reviews: 17
Fresh: 15 | Rotten: 2

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

audience

90

liked it
Average Rating: 3.9/5
User Ratings: 53,268

My Rating

Movie Info

Sling Blade marked the directorial debut of country singer turned actor Billy Bob Thornton, who also authored the script (expanding George Hickenlooper's acclaimed short Some Folks Call it a Sling Blade) and stars in the picture. Thornton plays Karl Childers, a mildly retarded man who spent most of his life in a mental institution. When Karl was a boy, he was severely mistreated by his abusive father (Robert Duvall). At age 12, Karl found his mother having intercourse with a man who tormented

R,

Drama

Billy Bob Thornton

Jan 1, 1998

Miramax Films

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Cast

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All Critics (63) | Top Critics (21) | Fresh (61) | Rotten (2) | DVD (34)

A masterpiece of Southern storytelling.

May 8, 2002 Full Review Source: Washington Post
Washington Post
Top Critic IconTop Critic

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

May 8, 2002 Full Review Source: New York Times | Comments (2)
New York Times
Top Critic IconTop Critic

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

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

Sling Blade does homage to Psycho without slavishly imitating the memorable parts.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Sacramento Bee
Sacramento Bee
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Much of the audience appeal relies on the film's simplicity

February 15, 2012 Full Review Source: Old School Reviews

Intense family drama with strong language, some violence.

December 6, 2011 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media

Marking Billy Bob Thornton's debut as a director and solo writer, Sling Blade is a powerful southern gothic parable about good and evil.

July 22, 2011 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com
EmanuelLevy.Com

Well acted, a multi-leveled story and a pure honesty make Sling Blade one of my favourite films of the 1990s.

August 28, 2009 Full Review Source: Movie Views

Thornton brings three key ingredients to the table: distinctive, rich, authentic Southern locations, patient and painterly atmosphere, and a precise and fresh character to study. [Blu-ray]

August 12, 2009 Full Review Source: Groucho Reviews
Groucho Reviews

An exceptional film with superb acting and great direction made even more enjoyable with this Blu-Ray release.

August 9, 2009 Full Review Source: ReviewExpress.com
ReviewExpress.com

An intelligent movie that beats with the heart of an indie film, with details and characters remaining more important than action or direct exposition.

August 1, 2009 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis
Movie Metropolis

Thornton offers a subtle, thoughtful script, generally sensitive direction, and an understated performance, uh-huh.

August 1, 2009 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis
Movie Metropolis

Excellent character study of a mentally challenged person.

July 23, 2009 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

It's frightening and haunting and what put Billy Bob in the Hollywood scene as a writer and an actor.

September 23, 2005 Full Review
International Press Academy

The film's many rewards cannot be described in conventional terms.

September 17, 2005 Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com
TheMovieReport.com

There will never be another film like Sling Blade. And I reckon we'll have to live with that... Mmm-mmm.

September 7, 2005 Full Review Source: 7M Pictures
7M Pictures

Audience Reviews for Sling Blade

Its a Hollywood gimme: feature a mentally/physically challenged soul as the central character in a picture and, bingo, Oscar time. And the twist? We learn to forgive and love ourselves through the big, wide open heart of the poor pathetic lug who's more human than us despite their infirmities. In this one the crazy murderering guy who's actually been committed turns out to be the nicest guy in the town! Thornton went Hollywood with this ... and never looked back. Yoakam's good as the bad guy, too.
February 11, 2013
UniversalDreamer

Super Reviewer

This is the film that made Billy Bob Thornton an icon. He pulls triple duty as the star, writer, and director (his debut in this particular area) of this haunting tale based on an acclaimed short film he also authored and starred in.

Set in a small Arkansas town, we follow Karl Childers (Thornton) a mildly retarded man who, for the past 25 years has been in a state hospital for murder. He's deemed stable, and released back into the world. We follow him as he returns to the town he grew up in a d tries to move on with his life. He begins a friendship with a young boy, his mother, and her gay friend. Things get greatly hampered thanks to the mother's vile, alcoholic, and abusive boyfriend, and it's not long before Karl realizes that a change is in order.

The character of Karl is one of the most fascinating and memorable ever. I can't help but break out my imitation of him every time I see this movie, or hear it mentioned. He's just a joy to watch, and he's got a really interesting take on the world that is great to experience. He's not the only one who shines here though. J.T. Walsh is chilling as a fellow patient at the hospital, John Ritter is great as the gay friend Vaughan, and Dwight Yoakam is terrific as the loathsome boyfriend.

The film is equal parts funny, sad, and unnerving. It's extremely compelling and unforgettable, and makes for a great watch, although it's probably not something you really want to endure all that often, as it does get very uncomfortable to bear at times.

This one really impresses me, and it's a shame that Thornton hasn't reached the level of greatness that he does here since.
July 24, 2006
cosmo313
Chris Weber

Super Reviewer

    1. Karl Childers: French fried pataters.
    – Submitted by Brendan C (3 months ago)
    1. Karl Childers: I like gravy on my fries.
    – Submitted by Shanna M (6 months ago)
    1. Karl Childers: I don't reckon I got any reason to kill anybody. Um..Hmm..
    – Submitted by Brian R (6 months ago)
    1. Karl Childers: Some folks call it a sling blade, I call it a Kaiser blade.
    – Submitted by Bryan O (7 months ago)
    1. Karl Childers: Coffee makes me nervous when I drink it.
    – Submitted by Brendan C (7 months ago)
    1. Frank Wheatley: Well I hate you!
    2. Doyle Hargraves: I hate you you little prick!
    – Submitted by Brendan C (7 months ago)

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