River's Edge (1986)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Randy T

  
  If there is genius to be found here it is most certainly in the casting of off-center actors (i.e. Crispin Glover and Dennis Hopper) to play off-center characters. Creepy and dark in a light-hearted '80s sort of way.

• Jim H

  
  A high schooler kills his girlfriend, and his friends have varied reactions, some attempting to help him escape, others apathetic, and others telling the police. I've read the many reviews that describe this film as an exploration of the then-contemporary distance between action… More
  A high schooler kills his girlfriend, and his friends have varied reactions, some attempting to help him escape, others apathetic, and others telling the police. I've read the many reviews that describe this film as an exploration of the then-contemporary distance between action and morality and stimulus and morality, but this theme isn't explored; it's shown in the characters' actions then interpreted for us by the one of the adult characters. And how can Crispin Glover's performance be called anything except over-acting at its worse. Glover's characteristic dorky, halting delivery is accentuated to the nth degree, and Layne is so ridiculous that it is unbelievable that even John would hang out with him. What's worse, because Canoehead hasn't an original, creative bone in his body, he picks up Glover's mannerisms, and the scenes between Layne and Matt become so obnoxiously entrenched in a cliched surfer culture that I felt myself get stupider. In the story, there is no suspense or mystery. We know early on who tells the cops, and though it's structured like <i>In Cold Blood</i>, where the gory details of the murder provide the story's climax, by the time the killer's reasons are revealed, I had already lost interest. Overall, there are people who see profundity in <i>River's Edge</i>, but I'm not one of them.

• Dan S

  
  An over-acted but nonetheless arresting study in blind loyalty concerning a small town and its younger inhabitants (Crispin Glover, Keanu Reeves, among others), and how their social circle is rocked by the inexplicable murder by one of their friends after he kills his girlfriend, and… More
  An over-acted but nonetheless arresting study in blind loyalty concerning a small town and its younger inhabitants (Crispin Glover, Keanu Reeves, among others), and how their social circle is rocked by the inexplicable murder by one of their friends after he kills his girlfriend, and doesn't appear to be showing any remorse for it nor concern for what lies ahead for him. While, as said, the acting gets a little too dramatic at times, the performances are still undeniably effective, notably Glover, who uses a grating, whiny voice that is the perfect foil to his wannabe "leader" character. Reeves is equally impressive because, well, he just really seems to naturally get his character, even if some "Woah dude!" moments creep in once in a while. Unlike "Bully", another film that dealt with a murder amongst a group of friends and how they dealt with it, director Tim Hunter never indulges himself in gratuitous nudity, and he actually makes you feel for one or two of his characters (Dennis Hopper's is especially tragic), which is very important to the overall success and impact this story aims to have. It isn't a masterpiece, or even a "great" movie, but it is a solid one, and one that deserves a view based on the sad fact that this story is based on real events that took place in the early 80's.

• AJ V

  
  My absolute favourite teenage drama/thriller of the 80s. It has an excellent cast, a great (and true) story, and it's even got a bit of humor. I highly recommend this movie.

• Bannan i

  
  Yes, yes...I know the drill. Shame on me for not having seen this sooner. I kinda adore movies in this type of fashion. Be it Stand by Me, Alpha Dog or that one with another river and dead bodies, ah the complications. But, really Glover and Reeves shine in here..they really do.… More
  Yes, yes...I know the drill. Shame on me for not having seen this sooner. I kinda adore movies in this type of fashion. Be it Stand by Me, Alpha Dog or that one with another river and dead bodies, ah the complications. But, really Glover and Reeves shine in here..they really do. Whoddathunk Neo's got some acting skillz? Nah, srsly. It was fucking intense to watch this plot unfold, srsly...12 yr olds stealing beer, and guns? Are they crazy. Must have been the cold war effect had on America at the time? I sense a wee bit of Mersaultian influence in here as well, curious...simply curious how apathy stirs things up. Anyways, review TBC. Oh ja, and before I forget? Gold star for TC recommending this wee gem to me. xD

• Anthony L

  
  Great film! Crispin Glover, Dennis Hopper, Ione Skye and Daniel Roebuck are all great. Keanu Reeves can't really act but he does ok in this classic teen drama that was very different to the John Hughes type films that were doing very well at the time.

• Curtis L

  
  Dennis Hopper gets nun-chucked in the head by 12 year olds, long shots of a naked dead chick getting poked by sticks, and Crispen Glover's hair- all awesome. If you enjoyed his freak out scenes in Willard, you'll love him in this too. Funtastic.

• Eric S

  
  A truly remarkable film! Brilliant character portrayals by a top notch cast. Particularly Dennis Hopper's character portrayal of Feck, the homebound criminal ex-biker. So crazy yet so funny! Crispin Glover's portrayal of Lane is outstanding and hilarious as well, and this… More
  A truly remarkable film! Brilliant character portrayals by a top notch cast. Particularly Dennis Hopper's character portrayal of Feck, the homebound criminal ex-biker. So crazy yet so funny! Crispin Glover's portrayal of Lane is outstanding and hilarious as well, and this film is by no means a comedy. It's a rather dark film yet always watchable and entertaining.

• Cindy I

  
  Creepy movie. A teen girl is murdered by her boyfriend. He tells all his weirdo friends about it, and instead of turning him in, some stupid code of honor keeps them silent. Supposedly based on a true story. Features Dennis Hopper with a blow-up doll girlfriend, and Ione Skey and… More
  Creepy movie. A teen girl is murdered by her boyfriend. He tells all his weirdo friends about it, and instead of turning him in, some stupid code of honor keeps them silent. Supposedly based on a true story. Features Dennis Hopper with a blow-up doll girlfriend, and Ione Skey and Keanu Reeves as the voices of reason.

• xGary X

  
  Low key thriller that enjoys something of a cult following. Some may find it a little uneventful, but there's a great cast of quirky characters, and it plays like an odd cross between a John Hughes brat pack film and Twin Peaks. An interesting oddity.

• Dean M

  
  Two thumbs up!

• Emily A

  
  This movie is slow, but Crispin Glover and the "this entire episode is in bad taste" tirade really make this movie. River's Edge is a really good portrayal of the Kafkan forces and alienation that adolescence is fraught with.

• Mike T

  
  Director Tim Hunter takes a strange, almost otherwordly approach to this film, which takes a while to get used to but works more often than not. The actors play their characters in a way that makes them appear to live on the edge of reality. Crispin Glover and Dennis Hopper deliver… More
  Director Tim Hunter takes a strange, almost otherwordly approach to this film, which takes a while to get used to but works more often than not. The actors play their characters in a way that makes them appear to live on the edge of reality. Crispin Glover and Dennis Hopper deliver the most notably bizarre performances. Sometimes the writing is too forceful and its oddness works against it on occasion, but it's a bold and engrossing movie to watch. It also appears to be influential on filmmakers like Larry Clark, Jacob Aaron Estes and maybe Michael Cuesta.

• Stephen E

  
  To me, "River's Edge" is a great film, and even though director Tim Hunter occasionally sidesteps the film's actual message, there are very few things wrong with it. The script balances drama with humor as well as one would expect and each actor shines in his or… More
  To me, "River's Edge" is a great film, and even though director Tim Hunter occasionally sidesteps the film's actual message, there are very few things wrong with it. The script balances drama with humor as well as one would expect and each actor shines in his or her role. As for Crispin Glover, few hesitate to call his performance overacting, but I disagree. I think that Layne is a very original character, and Glover's portrayal works. He, like so many others, is the reason why "River's Edge" is so darn enjoyable.

• Doctor S

  
  Offbeat to say the least! Funny, sobering, and unpredictable mashup of Fast Times At Ridgemont High meets Hill Street Blues featuring Crispin Glover's one-of-a-kind whacked-out performance.

• Stefan P

  
  Here we get to see a few famous actors before they got famous. This is actually one of the few movies where Keanu Reeves performs acceptable. I liked the story; from the first minute where we get to see what the movie is all about and how the different characters and groups tackle the… More
  Here we get to see a few famous actors before they got famous. This is actually one of the few movies where Keanu Reeves performs acceptable. I liked the story; from the first minute where we get to see what the movie is all about and how the different characters and groups tackle the situation. It's also interesting because you never know what's going to happen next. I can see why this is considered a cult film.

Read all 16 featured audience ratings