Trespass (1992)

68% of critics liked it
(22 reviews)
47% of users liked it
(7,140 ratings)

Maverick director Walter Hill, who had a big hit with 48 Hrs., indulges his customary yen for violent and disturbing scenes in this overlooked action film, which was also released under the name Looters. Set in the economically-depressed town of East St. Louis, IL, the film's release was delayed… More Maverick director Walter Hill, who had a big hit with 48 Hrs., indulges his customary yen for violent and disturbing scenes in this overlooked action film, which was also released under the name Looters. Set in the economically-depressed town of East St. Louis, IL, the film's release was delayed several months because its riot scenes were too similar to those that actually took place in the summer of 1992 in L.A. Bill Paxton plays Vince and Bill Sadler plays Don. They are a couple of good-old-boy firefighters who are tipped off that some stolen gold treasures have been hidden in an old warehouse. They find and enter the building but witness a brutal murder. The gangland killing is part of a turf battle between two rival drug lords. When one of them finds out that the firemen have seen the execution, he orders the witnesses murdered. But they have found the treasure and have kidnapped one gang leader's brother. An elaborate and violent series of skirmishes and chases ensue. Rapper-actors Ice-T and Ice Cube have roles as leading gang members. ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 41 min.
Directed By: Walter Hill
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1992 Wide
On DVD: May 12, 1998
Studio: MCA Universal Home Video

Critic Reviews

, TIME Magazine
There's something bracing about the utter amorality of Trespass.
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
In a season dominated by bloated blockbuster wannabes, it's easy to respond to the lean-and-mean B-movie pleasures of Trespass.
Variety Staff, Variety
Director Walter Hill's handling of the action is fluid and kinetic, making the film a pleasure to watch for the expertness of its craft.
Vincent Canby, New York Times
Everything in the screenplay seems arbitrary, including the firefighting jobs assigned to the two would-be treasure-seekers. They could as easily be magazine salesmen or amateur songwriters.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Does Trespass have any lasting significance? No. Does it do anything particularly well? No, only skillfully.
Hal Hinson, Washington Post
It's mindlessly violent, profane and insultingly racist. It's also relentless, repetitious and tiresome, and leaves us feeling that a once-great director has run out of ammunition.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
While Trespass might have been more compelling, it still displays far more style and intelligence than the average contemporary action thriller.
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
Hill stages some typically electric action scenes.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
For the undemanding, it may seem a fair stand-off; but compared to Hill's best work, it's merely a jerk-off.
Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily
An intense and unique action-thriller with that distinct Walter Hill touch.
Daniel Eagan, Film Journal International
Fast-moving pulp
, Film4
Despite plenty of plot holes, cartoonish characterization and the general impression that no one involved is taking things too seriously, Hill manages to deliver a minor gem within the tense and claustrophobic confines of the slum walls.
Fred Topel, About.com
Okay action movie full of twists and double crosses.
Widgett Walls, Needcoffee.com
A sub-par film that showed the potential for the Brothers Ice to be much better actors than they are musical performers. They make the film almost worth watching. Yes, I said almost.

Read all 14 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Ken S

Directed by Walter Hill, written by Robert Zemeckis, starring Bill Paxton, Ice Cube, Ice T, and Bill Sadler. Don't mind if I do.
Alexander W

I remember watching this on tv a long time ago in school. Staying up late and not watching everything as I fell asleep. Great film then, not sure about now.
xGary X

Ice T and Ice Cube run through their usual "gangsta" schtick as they try to dispose of inconvenient witnesses to a murder who hole up in an abandoned building. The result is a kind of diluted version of Assault on Precinct 13. Or Night Of The Living Homies. Not great, but… More
Ice T and Ice Cube run through their usual "gangsta" schtick as they try to dispose of inconvenient witnesses to a murder who hole up in an abandoned building. The result is a kind of diluted version of Assault on Precinct 13. Or Night Of The Living Homies. Not great, but not bad.
Dean M

This violent thriller suffers from poor characterisation and an uninspiring plot.
Deb S

Ice T 'I'm a businessman, not a gangster and these are my associates' This is your classic tension film fueled on one side (the supposedly "good" side) by greed, and, on the other side, a criminals wish to eliminate all witnesses to their crime. Don and… More
Ice T 'I'm a businessman, not a gangster and these are my associates' This is your classic tension film fueled on one side (the supposedly "good" side) by greed, and, on the other side, a criminals wish to eliminate all witnesses to their crime. Don and Vince played by Bill Paxton and William Sadler are two Arkansas firemen who, in the process of tackling a blazing building find a crazed old man who hands them a possible treasure map before burning to death. Finding out it might be a fortune in gold stashed they set off for remote abandoned factory in East St Louis. Unfortunately, this also happens to be the same location 'Business man' King James (Ice-T) and his associates use for executions. Naturally, the gangsters want the witnesses dead; and before they know it Vince and Don are trapped in a single room with no obvious means of escape, a hostage, Lucky, who happens to King James's little brother and a homeless man, Bradlee. The race is on, both for the treasure and to stay alive.
RJ M

In 1979, Walter Hill's "The Warriors" was nearly pulled from theaters because it was being blamed for violence all over the country. With 1992's "Trespass", Hill again was faced with controversy, but in the reverse form. Originally titled "The… More
In 1979, Walter Hill's "The Warriors" was nearly pulled from theaters because it was being blamed for violence all over the country. With 1992's "Trespass", Hill again was faced with controversy, but in the reverse form. Originally titled "The Looters", the movie was pulled from theatrical release BECAUSE of violence facing America at that time. Namely, the L.A. riots in the wake of the Rodney King trial. Renamed, and released nearly a year later, it's another tough guy movie from the director most famous for them. Bill Paxton and William Sadler are two Arkansas fireman searching an abandoned factory in East St. Louis for a fortune in stolen gold. They unwittingly get caught up in a gangland war when Ice-T and Ice Cube execute a rival in that very same factory. What follows is a cat and mouse game as the two fireman try to escape with the gold before the gangters become aware of its existence. It's a very claustrophobic movie set within the confines of the long abandonded factory. None of the characters are very likeable, but none of them are meant to be. It's a story about greed and power, and how far people are willing to go for each. Good performances all around, although Paxton and Sandler playing rednecks, and the Ice's playing ganstas probably aren't that much of a stretch. Director Hill keeps the action tight and close quartered, until the movie ends in, literally, a blaze of glory. No one does tough guy action like Walter Hill, and this is one of his best.
Christopher B

I remember when this came out critics crapped all over it and I was in my "I listen to the critics" phase. However, I had to rent it for the double bill of Bill Paxton and Walter Hill and it was my first inkling that perhaps, just perhaps, most critics have their heads up… More
I remember when this came out critics crapped all over it and I was in my "I listen to the critics" phase. However, I had to rent it for the double bill of Bill Paxton and Walter Hill and it was my first inkling that perhaps, just perhaps, most critics have their heads up their asses.
Miriam K

I am being generous here believe me. I laughed in most of the "serious" places. More camp to me.