Overview
A gripping tale of survival and unexpected bonds unfolds in the heart of Texas.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- haunting
- reflective
- tense
- quiet evening
- serious movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film a smart, gritty, haunting crime drama elevated by Kevin Costner's nuanced performance and emotional depth, despite formulaic touches and a rambling length.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Butch Haynes develops a protective bond with Phillip while holding him hostage and traveling across Texas.
Butch and Phillip's journey is intercut with Chief Red Garnett and Sally Gerber's coordinated pursuit.
The escape route across Texas becomes the setting for encounters with institutions, families, and abusive social structures.
The film emphasizes the contradiction between Butch's criminal history, the kidnapping, and his nuanced attachment to Phillip.
Films like A Perfect World, and why
The Last Detail
shared themes of fugitive compassion, moral ambiguity, and a tense journey through rural America
The Getaway
shared crime drama framework, complex outlaw protagonist, and emotionally restrained road narrative
The Road to Perdition
shared father son bonds, coming-of-age perspective, and morally complicated pursuit story
Movie Details
- Director
- Clint Eastwood
- Release Date
- 1993-11-24
- Runtime
- 138 min
- Rating
- 7.5 / 10 (1942)
Cast
- Kevin Costner
- Clint Eastwood
- Laura Dern
- T.J. Lowther
- Bradley Whitford
- Keith Szarabajka
- Leo Burmester
- Paul Hewitt
- Ray McKinnon
- Jennifer Griffin
Where to watch in United States
- 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 A Perfect World about?
- A fugitive's desperate flight across 1960s Texas becomes an uneasy surrogate father-son journey shadowed by a determined lawman.
- What is A Perfect World like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of A Perfect World as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is A Perfect World violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in A Perfect World as moderate.
- What did critics think of A Perfect World?
- Critics broadly found the film a smart, gritty, haunting crime drama elevated by Kevin Costner's nuanced performance and emotional depth, despite formulaic touches and a rambling length.
- Which films are like A Perfect World?
- Films with a similar feel include The Last Detail, The Getaway, and The Road to Perdition.
- How long is A Perfect World?
- A Perfect World runs 138 minutes.
- Where can I watch A Perfect World?
- In United States, A Perfect World is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
