Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- bleak
- disturbing
- detached
- serious crime drama viewing
- independent cinema night
What critics said
Critics were divided over the film’s stark true-crime detachment, with some valuing its refusal to explain the perpetrators and others finding its explicit sexuality gratuitous and exploitative.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The plotting group is observed through detached behavior and escalating actions rather than explanatory inner lives.
The murder plot develops among teenagers in a small Florida town marked by abuse, boredom, and social disconnection.
The film’s prolonged sex and nudity scenes make spectatorship itself part of its controversial effect.
Marty, Lisa, and their collaborators strategize Bobby’s murder after sustained bullying and abuse.
Films like Bully, and why
Kids
shared true crime basis, teenage alienation, graphic sexuality, and morally detached crime drama
River's Edge
shared suburban malaise, youthful criminality, exploitation-era provocation, and bleak social observation
Elephant
shared disturbing true crime subject matter, adolescent violence, and emotionally detached presentation
The Last House on the Left
shared revenge-driven crime narrative, sexual violence, and confrontational independent filmmaking
Movie Details
- Director
- Larry Clark
- Release Date
- 2001-06-15
- Runtime
- 113 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (572)
Cast
- Brad Renfro
- Rachel Miner
- Nick Stahl
- Bijou Phillips
- Michael Pitt
- Kelli Garner
- Daniel Franzese
- Leo Fitzpatrick
- Alan Lilly
- Nathalie Paulding
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, BFI Player Amazon Channel, Howdy Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Bully about?
- A detached and provocative true-crime drama follows abused Florida teenagers whose revenge plot against a sadistic bully spirals into murder.
- What is Bully like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Bully as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Bully violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Bully as graphic.
- What did critics think of Bully?
- Critics were divided over the film’s stark true-crime detachment, with some valuing its refusal to explain the perpetrators and others finding its explicit sexuality gratuitous and exploitative.
- Which films are like Bully?
- Films with a similar feel include Kids, River's Edge, Elephant, and The Last House on the Left.
- How long is Bully?
- Bully runs 113 minutes.
- Where can I watch Bully?
- In United States, Bully streams on Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, BFI Player Amazon Channel, Howdy Amazon Channel.
