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Bad Lieutenant

Play trailer Poster for Bad Lieutenant NC-17 1992 1h 38m Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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77% Tomatometer 53 Reviews 74% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
The Lieutenant (Harvey Keitel) is a corrupt cop steeped in gambling debt who exploits his authority to sexually harass teenage girls, embezzle money and abuse drugs. His troubles come to a head when a mob lackey delivers an ultimatum: pay off his debt, or else. His fate appears sealed. But when The Lieutenant learns that a $50,000 reward is being offered to whoever catches a pair of thugs who raped a nun (Frankie Thorn), he jumps at the opportunity, hoping that he can still redeem himself.
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Bad Lieutenant

Bad Lieutenant

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Critics Consensus

Bad Lieutenant will challenge less desensitized viewers with its depiction of police corruption, but Harvey Keitel's committed performance makes it hard to turn away.

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Critics Reviews

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Jake Cole Slant Magazine 06/05/2024
Even by the scuzzy standards of Abel Ferrara’s filmography, Bad Lieutenant is particularly filthy. Go to Full Review Peter Rainer Los Angeles Times 01/08/2019
[Keitel] keeps us watching his descent without wanting to look away. Only an actor with tremendous reserves of power could accomplish that. Go to Full Review Peter Travers Rolling Stone 01/08/2019
It's a powerhouse performance in a film of jabbing intensity and wit. Go to Full Review Matt Glasby Flicks (AU, NZ, UK) Jan 8
This time, I’m glad to say I made it all the way through, and was (un)pleasantly surprised. It’s still a punishing watch - and flawed as hell - but closer to art than exploitation. Go to Full Review Eddie Harrison film-authority.com Aug 21
4/5
…Abel Ferrara’s Bad Lieutenant is an extreme film about an extreme character... even if the subject matter is intended to disturb, it’s still a very good film, with a colossal central performance from Harvey Keitel as a corrupt cop with religious leanings Go to Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins 02/06/2025
5/10
It may be atypical in its vivid unpleasantries, but this production isn’t particularly entertaining; its presentation of cops and crimes isn’t as original as it is merely boundary-pushing. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Dark D 5d I knew nothing about this movie before watching it last night. I found it awful (mostly laughable, and at times painful.) It begs for a laugh track, especially the church scenes. Harvey's constipated moans are a hidden treasure. See more Steve C Feb 6 A cop so morally corrupt; I don't know whether to pity or laugh See more James H. @420Drive-in Feb 2 Harvey Keitel gives an amazing performance in this dark and gritty crime drama. This movie shows the despair of addiction, religion and morality. This movie was like following Hunter Biden around for a day. See more Guillermo A @Guillermo.Almeida Jan 28 Perfect in all the ways it can be read, it begins with the delivery of 2 children and ends with 2 men, Harvey in the greatest actin. See more Jack F @MovieFan111 Jan 14 I did not like or enjoy this movie. It was boring, and just not good. If you like Harvey Keitel, then watch it. If not, don't waste your time. See more Beetah Nov 9 Best movie to enjoy at home See more Read all reviews
Bad Lieutenant

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Cast & Crew

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Abel Ferrara

Director

Harvey Keitel

The Lieutenant

Frankie Thorn

The Nun

Zoë Lund

Zoe

Anthony Ruggiero

Lite

Eddie Daniels

Jersey Girl (driver)

Movie Clips

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Bad Lieutenant

Bad Lieutenant: Official Clip - She Forgives You Bad Lieutenant: Official Clip - She Forgives You 1:41 Bad Lieutenant: Official Clip - Fine Brown Stuff Bad Lieutenant: Official Clip - Fine Brown Stuff 2:59 Bad Lieutenant: Official Clip - I'm Sorry! Bad Lieutenant: Official Clip - I'm Sorry! 4:15 Bad Lieutenant: Official Clip - Routine Traffic Stop Bad Lieutenant: Official Clip - Routine Traffic Stop 4:18 Bad Lieutenant: Official Clip - Drug Counselor or Drug Dealer Bad Lieutenant: Official Clip - Drug Counselor or Drug Dealer 2:30 Bad Lieutenant: Official Clip - Corner Store Altercation Bad Lieutenant: Official Clip - Corner Store Altercation 2:14 Bad Lieutenant: Official Clip - Evidence Bad Lieutenant: Official Clip - Evidence 1:12 Bad Lieutenant: Official Clip - Forgiveness Bad Lieutenant: Official Clip - Forgiveness 3:26 Bad Lieutenant: Official Clip - Baseball Gambling Bad Lieutenant: Official Clip - Baseball Gambling 1:43 View more videos

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Bad Lieutenant

Bad Lieutenant (1992) Bad Lieutenant (1992) Bad Lieutenant (1992) Bad Lieutenant (1992) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis The Lieutenant (Harvey Keitel) is a corrupt cop steeped in gambling debt who exploits his authority to sexually harass teenage girls, embezzle money and abuse drugs. His troubles come to a head when a mob lackey delivers an ultimatum: pay off his debt, or else. His fate appears sealed. But when The Lieutenant learns that a $50,000 reward is being offered to whoever catches a pair of thugs who raped a nun (Frankie Thorn), he jumps at the opportunity, hoping that he can still redeem himself.
Director
Abel Ferrara
Producer
Edward R. Pressman, Mary Kane
Screenwriter
Abel Ferrara, Zoë Lund
Production Co
Bad Lt. Productions
Rating
NC-17
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 1, 2007
Box Office (Gross USA)
$47.5K
Runtime
1h 38m
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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