At Close Range

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At Close Range

R

1986

1h 55m

Crime

Drama

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Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

22 Reviews

78%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Based on a true story, "At Close Range" follows the lives of the Whitewood family in rural Pennsylvania. Brothers Brad Jr. (Sean Penn) and Tommy (Chris Penn) are the sons of organized crime leader Brad Sr. (Christopher Walken), who draws his sons into his life of crime. After starting their own gang, Brad Jr. and Tommy are arrested in a failed robbery attempt, and are forced to face the truth: that their father will do anything to avoid being arrested for his crimes.

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Variety Staff

Variety

Aug 13, 2008

General audiences will respond to the very strong performances of the two leads, especially Walken in one of his best roles.

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Geoff Andrew

Time Out

Jun 24, 2006

Less than intoxicating.

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Vincent Canby

New York Times

May 20, 2003

2.5/5

There's something bold about the film's wealth of imagery, but it also so overstates the material of the screenplay that it eventually annihilates both it and the story.

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Nick Rogers

Midwest Film Journal

Apr 17, 2026

3.5/5

While atmospheric and engaging, the film is so laser-focused on adapting events as they happened that what should be the symphonic motif — a fortissimo clash between Sean Penn and Christopher Walken — instead becomes grace notes.

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Sean Burns

Crooked Marquee

Jul 26, 2024

Foley’s making a Greek tragedy, and he’s enlisted some acting gods.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Feb 9, 2023

3/4

Director James Foley and screenwriter Nicholas Kazan expertly recreate that part of America that feels like it should exist under a rock with the clammy mud and scurrying insects, and their efforts are supported by an intense performance from Walken.

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Ari V

@RT59419633 Oct 18, 2026

The true to life parts could have been interesting, but the liverties taken ruin that. Walken is interesting to watch, as usual, but not enough to make it all add up. Not bad, but certainly not great.

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J J

@MFilms7 Aug 21, 2026

At Close Range is a dark, tough crime film that deserves to be talked about more. Based on a true story, it has that gritty, uncompromising feel that so many great ’80s films had. Sean Penn is excellent, but Christopher Walken is incredible — charming, unpredictable and genuinely frightening. Their father-son relationship gives the film a real emotional weight beneath all the crime and violence. Bleak, atmospheric and beautifully made, with a brilliant soundtrack. An underrated crime classic. .

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mark G

@Mark_Alan_G. Jul 5, 2026

Brilliant movie based on a true story. And despite the violence in this movie, the real life story was more violent. Walken is chilling and Penn excellent. This is a tremendous movie, props to Foley.

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thiago S

@Thiagostone May 1, 2026

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

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Jerod S

@jeroduptown Feb 25, 2026

Penn and Walken make the thing work as a broken father/son crime riddled relationship. It's late 80s glory and cars, too.

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Sean M.

@Thymeout Feb 14, 2026

Sean Penn and Walken make the screen come alive in this Hollywood version of a true life story of a crime ridden family. Don’t cross the Big Guy or buried be thy name. Great Soundtrack as well. Madonna singing the theme song…from the madonna/penn love affair

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James Foley

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Sean Penn

Brad Whitewood Jr.

Christopher Walken

Brad Whitewood Sr.

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Synopsis

Based on a true story, "At Close Range" follows the lives of the Whitewood family in rural Pennsylvania. Brothers Brad Jr. (Sean Penn) and Tommy (Chris Penn) are the sons of organized crime leader Brad Sr. (Christopher Walken), who draws his sons into his life of crime. After starting their own gang, Brad Jr. and Tommy are arrested in a failed robbery attempt, and are forced to face the truth: that their father will do anything to avoid being arrested for his crimes.

Director: James Foley
Producer: Don Guest, Elliott Lewitt
Screenwriter: Elliott Lewitt, Nicholas Kazan, Nicholas Kazan
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Vestron Video, Orion Pictures
Production Co: Hemdale Film Corporation [us], Cinema '84
Rating: R
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 18, 1986, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $560.7K
Runtime: 1h 55m
Sound Mix: Dolby, Surround

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