River's Edge

River's Edge

Which was worse? The murder or what came after?

Directed by Tim Hunter

Produced by Island, Hemdale Film Corporation

1986100 min6.5 / 10

A dark, morally corrosive examination of teenage apathy and complicity in the face of murder, where the real horror lies in the friends' indifference rather than the crime itself.

A group of high-school friends must come to terms with the fact that one of them, Samson, killed another, Jamie. Faced with the brutality of death, each must decide whether to turn their friend in to the police, or to help him escape the consequences of his dreadful deed.

Where to watch

Questions people ask

  • Is River's Edge easy watching? No. Less comforting than 92% of films.

  • Does River's Edge end with hope? No. Less hopeful than 91% of films.

  • Is River's Edge scary? Yes. More frightening than 82% of films.

  • Is River's Edge sad? Yes. More sad than 82% of films.

  • Is River's Edge violent? Yes. More violent than 80% of films.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

43/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this film gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

You have seen this shape before.

Rarity39

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise44

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love45

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Everything like River's Edge, and what each one shares →

Like River's Edge

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as River's Edge

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like River's Edge, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like River's Edge, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like River's Edge, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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