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Sleepers

Sleepers

Crime · Drama · Thriller · 1996

Two gangsters seek revenge on the state jail worker who during their stay at a youth prison sexually abused them. A sensational court hearing takes place to charge him for the crimes.

Movie details

Sleepers

“Four friends have made a mistake that will change their lives forever.”

1996 Crime · Drama · Thriller 2h 27m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.6 / 10

Community rating

Two gangsters seek revenge on the state jail worker who during their stay at a youth prison sexually abused them. A sensational court hearing takes place to charge him for the crimes.

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 Sleepers?

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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The Shawshank Redemption

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Barry Levinson

Written by

Barry Levinson

Kevin Bacon

Kevin Bacon

Nokes

Robert De Niro

Robert De Niro

Father Bobby

Dustin Hoffman

Dustin Hoffman

Danny Snyder

Bruno Kirby

Bruno Kirby

Shakes' Father

Jason Patric

Jason Patric

Shakes

Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt

Michael

Minnie Driver

Minnie Driver

Carol

Court is in session

Put Sleepers on trial.

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

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Form is the argument.”

Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Technique in search of a pulse.”

Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.