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Red Rock West

Play trailer Poster for Red Rock West R 1993 1h 38m Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
95% Tomatometer 121 Reviews 76% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
When unemployed ex-marine Michael Williams (Nicolas Cage) stumbles into a bar in Red Rock, Wyo., the owner, Wayne (J.T. Walsh), mistakes him for a hired killer and offers him $10,000 to kill his wife, Suzanne (Lara Flynn Boyle). Michael plays along, taking half the money up front, then tells Suzanne what her husband is planning. She seduces Michael and proposes that he kill her husband instead. While he weighs his options, the real killer (Dennis Hopper) turns up looking for his money.
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Red Rock West

Red Rock West

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Critics Consensus

Red Rock West is a hidden neo-noir gem with some delightful cracks in its surface -- and an opportunity to see Lara Flynn Boyle, Nicolas Cage, Dennis Hopper, and J.T. Walsh go toe-to-toe in all their early '90s glory.

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Critics Reviews

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Bernard Zuel Sydney Morning Herald Apr 23, 2026
John Dahl's seductive, sly thriller never takes a false step. Go to Full Review Christopher Harris Globe and Mail Oct 8, 2025
2.5/4
A neat and prickly little thriller, dressed up in cowboy noir clothing. Go to Full Review Julie Lang Village Voice Jul 16, 2025
The film itself wallows seductively in the twisted, consumptive murk of America's small towns. Go to Full Review Zak Goodwin Screen Slate Aug 26, 2026
Red Rock West is a potboiler at heart. It’s a film that trusts that its audience will find its narrative twists compelling in and of themselves—the cinematic equivalent of comfort food. Go to Full Review Larry Ratliff San Antonio Express-News Aug 24, 2026
This is a blistering mystery thriller with a deadly sense of humor at every turn. Go to Full Review Matthew Soergel Florida Times-Union Feb 4, 2026
4/5
Red Rock West tweaks conventions nicely, acting a lot smarter than the B-movie it is. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad Oct 6, 2026 Red Rock West is a *4* star Movie! See more Janav S @TheCoolJ92781 Sep 20, 2026 Great early masterpiece of Nic Cage, it's truly a hidden noir gem. See more Huntin P @PaxVobiscum80 Sep 15, 2026 Bit of a tongue twister, Wed Wock Rest is a neo noir, a modern western, and a morality tale, and is superb entertainment. Nicholas Cage is on commendably restrained form as Mike, a veteran with a banged-up leg, who wanders into Red Rock with no money and a car almost out of gas. The bartender mistakes him for a hired killer, hands over a wad of cash, and tells him the target. Mike pays a call on the intended victim, gets paid double to swot the bartender, and prepares to skip town having done nothing wrong. He drops a letter in for the sheriff to warn him of these people's murderous intentions. Thing is, the bartender, and his quarry, are more than they seem to be, and that long awaited killer man is on his way into town. Where's it all going to end? This movie is very cool, in the proper sense of the word. It just makes you want to rent a car and hit the road out west, and let's see what trouble we can find. Pity the creative team behind RRW didn't make more movies. A treasure! See more Erin M @Mightymotes Mar 29, 2026 Great acting by all involved, and great pace. It keeps you guessing until the end. See more Marc T. @NoFluffReviews Feb 26, 2026 A bit of suspension of disbelief is required but its believable enough and the performances were really good. The cinematography is good at reflecting the vibe and setting. It paces nicely and doesn't get too convoluted or sidetracked from the main premis. A really good sleeper film that I never heard of for over 30 years. See more mark g @Mark_Alan_G. Feb 18, 2026 Brilliant modern film noir. Cage, Walsh and Hopper are perfectly cast. Dwight Yoakam provides a hilarious cameo. Beautiful cinematography, choreography and scenery. This film is close to perfect. See more Read all reviews
Red Rock West

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Cast & Crew

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John Dahl

Director

Nicolas Cage

Michael Williams

Dennis Hopper

Lyle from Dallas

Lara Flynn Boyle

Suzanne Brown aka Ann McCord

Timothy Carhart

Deputy Matt Greytack

J.T. Walsh

Wayne Brown aka Kevin McCord

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Red Rock West

Red Rock West (1993) Red Rock West (1993) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis When unemployed ex-marine Michael Williams (Nicolas Cage) stumbles into a bar in Red Rock, Wyo., the owner, Wayne (J.T. Walsh), mistakes him for a hired killer and offers him $10,000 to kill his wife, Suzanne (Lara Flynn Boyle). Michael plays along, taking half the money up front, then tells Suzanne what her husband is planning. She seduces Michael and proposes that he kill her husband instead. While he weighs his options, the real killer (Dennis Hopper) turns up looking for his money.
Director
John Dahl
Producer
Steve Golin, Sigurjon Sighvatsson
Screenwriter
Rick Dahl, John Dahl
Distributor
Capital Filmes, Columbia TriStar Home Video
Production Co
Red Rock Films, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
Rating
R
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 16, 1993, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 27, 2015
Runtime
1h 38m
Sound Mix
Surround
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