Overview
A corrupt cop spirals deeper into his vices as he investigates a brutal crime.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Extreme
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- bleak
- harrowing
- transgressive
- serious film night
- adult cinephile viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as an intensely challenging portrait of police corruption elevated by Harvey Keitel’s committed and psychologically searching performance.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The lieutenant repeatedly doubles down on baseball bets while bookies pressure him for repayment.
The investigation of a raped nun prompts the lieutenant to confront his vices and moral collapse.
The lieutenant uses his badge to pursue drugs, exploit women, and evade ordinary moral accountability.
The film’s drug use, sexual exploitation, gambling pressure, and institutional corruption are rendered with confrontational sincerity.
Films like Bad Lieutenant, and why
Prince of the City
shared neo-noir crime drama, morally compromised police protagonist, and abrasive urban atmosphere
Serpico
shared police corruption, bleak urban realism, and psychologically intense lead performance
Taxi Driver
shared transgressive crime drama, spiritual crisis, and descent into self-destructive behavior
Mean Streets
shared catholic guilt, criminal underworld, and redemptive moral conflict
Movie Details
- Director
- Abel Ferrara
- Release Date
- 1992-11-20
- Runtime
- 96 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (993)
Cast
- Harvey Keitel
- Peggy Gormley
- Stella Keitel
- Victor Argo
- Paul Calderon
- Leonard L. Thomas
- Vincent Laresca
- Frankie Thorn
- Brian McElroy
- Frankie Acciarito
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Criterion Channel, Lionsgate+ 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 Bad Lieutenant about?
- A corrupt New York police lieutenant spirals through drugs, gambling, and abuse before a brutal case forces a reckoning with his conscience.
- What is Bad Lieutenant like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Bad Lieutenant as measured, its intensity as extreme and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Bad Lieutenant violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Bad Lieutenant as moderate.
- What did critics think of Bad Lieutenant?
- Critics broadly regard the film as an intensely challenging portrait of police corruption elevated by Harvey Keitel’s committed and psychologically searching performance.
- Which films are like Bad Lieutenant?
- Films with a similar feel include Prince of the City, Serpico, Taxi Driver, and Mean Streets.
- How long is Bad Lieutenant?
- Bad Lieutenant runs 96 minutes.
- Where can I watch Bad Lieutenant?
- In United States, Bad Lieutenant streams on Criterion Channel, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel.
