Southland Tales

Southland Tales

This is the way the world ends.

Directed by Richard Kelly

Produced by Cherry Road Films, Darko Entertainment

2007145 min5.2 / 10

A maximalist, surreal conspiracy thriller that uses absurdism and genre-blending to grapple with apocalypse, identity, and the collapse of meaning in late-stage America.

Set in the futuristic landscape of Los Angeles on July 4, 2008, as it stands on the brink of social, economic and environmental disaster. Boxer Santaros is an action star who's stricken with amnesia. His life intertwines with Krysta Now, an adult film star developing her own reality television project, and Ronald Taverner, a Hermosa Beach police officer who holds the key to a vast conspiracy.

Where to watch

Questions people ask

  • Is Southland Tales one of a kind? Yes, very. More singular than 99% of films.

  • Does Southland Tales end with hope? Barely. Less hopeful than 83% of films.

  • Is Southland Tales scary? Yes. More frightening than 82% of films.

  • Is Southland Tales easy watching? Not especially. Less comforting than 74% of films.

  • Is Southland Tales violent? Somewhat. More violent than 71% of films.

  • Is Southland Tales sad? Somewhat. More sad than 61% 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.

22/ 100

Cinnamon Score

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

Conventional, and it does not land.

Rarity96

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise4

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love5

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Everything like Southland Tales, and what each one shares →

Like Southland Tales

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as Southland Tales

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like Southland Tales, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like Southland Tales, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like Southland Tales, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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