Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- bleak
- paranoid
- harrowing
- late night thriller viewing
- crime drama marathon
What critics said
Critics found the film initially intriguing but ultimately undermined by formulaic plotting and an overextended star-centered focus.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Cristofuoro follows Eric after his release because he believes Eric will kill again, making pursuit and prediction central to the structure.
Lori leaves herself vulnerable by hiding in Eric’s car while being sexually objectified and exploited by adults around her.
Cristofuoro’s hospitalized catatonic wife, Eric’s family murders, and Lori’s exploitation create an atmosphere of emotional fracture and dread.
Eric’s trip toward Albany becomes the shared route for Lori’s flight and Cristofuoro’s increasingly urgent pursuit.
Films like Tenderness, and why
Insomnia
shares a bleak crime-drama atmosphere, obsessive pursuit, and morally compromised investigators
Mystic River
combines psychological suspense, troubled young characters, and an investigator convinced of impending violence
Kalifornia
features a tense road-bound crime narrative shaped by damaged characters and fatalistic suspense
Movie Details
- Director
- John Polson
- Release Date
- 2009-01-15
- Runtime
- 101 min
- Rating
- 5.2 / 10 (132)
Cast
- Russell Crowe
- Jon Foster
- Sophie Traub
- Laura Dern
- Alicia Harding
- Michael Kelly
- Alexis Dziena
- Arija Bareikis
- Tim Hopper
- Tanya Clarke
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Starz Apple TV channel, Howdy Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Tenderness about?
- A haunted detective tails a newly released juvenile murderer while a vulnerable teenager secretly joins the boy’s dangerous escape route.
- What is Tenderness like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Tenderness as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Tenderness violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Tenderness as moderate.
- What did critics think of Tenderness?
- Critics found the film initially intriguing but ultimately undermined by formulaic plotting and an overextended star-centered focus.
- Which films are like Tenderness?
- Films with a similar feel include Insomnia, Mystic River, and Kalifornia.
- How long is Tenderness?
- Tenderness runs 101 minutes.
- Where can I watch Tenderness?
- In United States, Tenderness streams on Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Starz Apple TV channel, Howdy Amazon Channel.
