Overview
A gripping tale of unexpected love and identity unfolds amidst political turmoil.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- haunting
- tense
- melancholic
- serious movie night
- political thriller night
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as a haunting, thoughtful, gripping political thriller whose famous revelation deepens its exploration of identity, sexuality, race, and perception.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Dil’s concealed identity transforms Fergus’s understanding of their relationship and reframes the film’s central emotional conflict.
Fergus’s IRA involvement, his bond with Jody, and his relationship with Dil continually collide with questions of loyalty and desire.
The film moves between Irish and British identities while examining race, transgender identity, sexuality, and perception.
Fergus adopts the name Jimmy in London and attempts to build a new life while concealing his IRA past and his connection to Jody.
Films like The Crying Game, and why
M. Butterfly
Shared political thriller tension, divided national identities, moral compromise, and an intimate relationship shaped by secrecy.
The Talented Mr. Ripley
Shared queer identity themes, criminal secrecy, psychological suspense, and emotionally complicated outsider protagonists.
Hidden Agenda
Shared examination of terrorism, loyalty, guilt, and personal relationships amid political violence.
L.i.e.
Shared transgressive romance, identity concealment, and provocative use of a revelation to transform the viewer’s understanding of a relationship.
Movie Details
- Director
- Neil Jordan
- Release Date
- 1992-09-02
- Runtime
- 112 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (876)
Cast
- Stephen Rea
- Miranda Richardson
- Jaye Davidson
- Forest Whitaker
- Adrian Dunbar
- Breffni McKenna
- Joe Savino
- Birdy Sweeney
- Andrée Bernard
- Jim Broadbent
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- 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 The Crying Game about?
- An IRA volunteer fleeing the consequences of a failed kidnapping finds love in London, where concealed identities make intimacy inseparable from guilt and political betrayal.
- What is The Crying Game like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Crying Game as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Crying Game violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Crying Game as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Crying Game?
- Critics broadly regard the film as a haunting, thoughtful, gripping political thriller whose famous revelation deepens its exploration of identity, sexuality, race, and perception.
- Which films are like The Crying Game?
- Films with a similar feel include M. Butterfly, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Hidden Agenda, and L.i.e..
- How long is The Crying Game?
- The Crying Game runs 112 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Crying Game?
- In United States, The Crying Game is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand.
