Overview
A gripping portrayal of a city on the brink, where chaos reigns and lives are shattered.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Extreme
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- harrowing
- oppressive
- angry
- serious historical viewing
- social justice discussion
What critics said
Critics broadly praised Kathryn Bigelow's direction, Mark Boal's script, and the committed performances in this gut-wrenching and essential dramatization of the Algiers Motel incident.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Kathryn Bigelow presents the 1967 Detroit unrest and Algiers Motel incident with sustained immediacy and documentary-like physical proximity.
The central conflict concerns police brutality, racial hatred, deaths, beatings, and the failure of justice surrounding the motel incident.
The story interweaves Melvin Dismukes, Philip Krauss, Larry Reed, Greene, and other participants and witnesses around the same night.
The critical consensus emphasizes distressing parallels between the 1967 racial violence and ongoing present-day issues.
Films like Detroit, and why
Mississippi Burning
shared historical drama treatment of racial injustice, institutional violence, and morally urgent true events
Fruitvale Station
shared intense crime drama focus on police brutality, racial tension, and systemic injustice
The Hurt Locker
shared immersive historical thriller style, escalating violence, and examination of state power
Selma
shared ensemble historical drama about racial conflict and collective trauma in the United States
Movie Details
- Director
- Kathryn Bigelow
- Release Date
- 2017-07-28
- Runtime
- 143 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (1780)
Cast
- John Boyega
- Will Poulter
- Anthony Mackie
- Algee Smith
- Hannah Murray
- Jason Mitchell
- Malcolm David Kelley
- Jack Reynor
- Ben O'Toole
- Jacob Latimore
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- ALLBLK, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel
- Buy
- Apple TV Store
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Detroit about?
- A searing, immersive dramatization of the 1967 Algiers Motel killings that confronts racial terror and institutional impunity.
- What is Detroit like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Detroit as measured, its intensity as extreme and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Detroit violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Detroit as graphic.
- What did critics think of Detroit?
- Critics broadly praised Kathryn Bigelow's direction, Mark Boal's script, and the committed performances in this gut-wrenching and essential dramatization of the Algiers Motel incident.
- Which films are like Detroit?
- Films with a similar feel include Mississippi Burning, Fruitvale Station, The Hurt Locker, and Selma.
- How long is Detroit?
- Detroit runs 143 minutes.
- Where can I watch Detroit?
- In United States, Detroit streams on ALLBLK, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel.
