Overview
A gripping tale of revenge and the consequences of bullying unfolds in the woods.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- melancholic
- heartsick
- morally serious
- quiet evening
- serious movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the young ensemble's performances and the film's honest, provocative treatment of peer pressure, moral responsibility, and the consequences of adolescent violence.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Sam, Rocky, and their friends organize revenge against George, forcing the group to confront responsibility for its shared actions.
The film places teenagers in a melancholy Oregon environment where bullying, loyalty, fear, and remorse shape their transition toward adulthood.
The central revenge plan depends on friends reinforcing one another, making responsibility inseparable from the group dynamic.
The woods, lake, birthday setting, and mundane spaces of Oregon support an intimate, observational treatment of adolescent behavior.
Films like Mean Creek, and why
River's Edge
shared teen drama, moral consequence, and peer-driven violence
Bully
shared coming-of-age bleakness, bullying, and adolescent group pressure
The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys
shared melancholic teen subject matter, moral ambiguity, and emotionally raw realism
Mysterious Skin
shared intimate independent drama, troubled adolescents, and painful ethical choices
Movie Details
- Director
- Jacob Aaron Estes
- Release Date
- 2004-08-20
- Runtime
- 90 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (427)
Cast
- Rory Culkin
- Scott Mechlowicz
- Trevor Morgan
- Josh Peck
- Ryan Kelley
- Carly Schroeder
- Branden Williams
- Heath Lourwood
- J.W. Crawford
- Kaz Garas
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Paramount Plus Essential
- 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 Mean Creek about?
- A melancholy Oregon teen drama follows a revenge prank that forces a group of friends to face the devastating moral cost of collective cruelty.
- What is Mean Creek like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Mean Creek as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Mean Creek violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Mean Creek as moderate.
- What did critics think of Mean Creek?
- Critics broadly praised the young ensemble's performances and the film's honest, provocative treatment of peer pressure, moral responsibility, and the consequences of adolescent violence.
- Which films are like Mean Creek?
- Films with a similar feel include River's Edge, Bully, The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys, and Mysterious Skin.
- How long is Mean Creek?
- Mean Creek runs 90 minutes.
- Where can I watch Mean Creek?
- In United States, Mean Creek streams on Paramount Plus Essential.
