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Sudden Impact

Sudden Impact

Thriller · Crime · Action · 1983

When a young rape victim takes justice into her own hands and becomes a serial killer, it's up to Dirty Harry Callahan, on suspension from the SFPD, to bring her to justice.

Movie details

Sudden Impact

“Dirty Harry is at it again.”

1983 Thriller · Crime · Action 1h 57m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.5 / 10

Community rating

When a young rape victim takes justice into her own hands and becomes a serial killer, it's up to Dirty Harry Callahan, on suspension from the SFPD, to bring her to justice.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Sudden Impact?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Where it lives

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Clint Eastwood

Written by

Joseph Stinson · Earl E. Smith · Charles B. Pierce · Dean Riesner

Clint Eastwood

Clint Eastwood

Insp. Harry Callahan

Sondra Locke

Sondra Locke

Jennifer Spencer

Pat Hingle

Pat Hingle

Chief Jannings

Bradford Dillman

Bradford Dillman

Captain Briggs

P

Paul Drake

Mick

Audrie Neenan

Audrie Neenan

Ray Parkins

Jack Thibeau

Jack Thibeau

Kruger

Court is in session

Put Sudden Impact on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Adrenaline Seeker

“Momentum is a formal choice.”

The velocity sharpens instinct and tension, making every beat land before self-importance can settle in.

The prosecution The Auteur Devotee

“Speed as an alibi.”

The film races past its weak spots and hopes acceleration will keep the audience from inspecting the evidence.