Overview
Two brothers are drawn into their father's dangerous world of crime, leading to a shocking betrayal.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- bleak
- harrowing
- fatalistic
- serious film night
- true crime viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film's bleak portrait of human nature and its powerful central performances, particularly Sean Penn and Christopher Walken, despite uneven pacing and limited commercial appeal.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Brad Sr.'s criminal lifestyle attracts his sons before he ultimately treats them as expendable liabilities.
The impoverished Pennsylvania household and small-town criminal milieu create a stark neo-noir setting.
Brad Jr. and Tommy initially admire their absent father's money, girlfriends, and criminal prestige, then confront his viciousness.
The petty robberies serve primarily to expose the father's betrayal and the destruction of sibling and parental bonds.
Films like At Close Range, and why
The King of New York
bleak crime drama, damaged family bonds, and morally corrosive criminal ambition
Miller's Crossing
neo-noir crime world, charismatic but vicious criminals, and fatalistic atmosphere
The Grifters
true-crime-inspired family tragedy, rural criminality, and severe moral bleakness
Blood Simple
crime drama centered on a destructive parent-child relationship and sociopathic self-preservation
Movie Details
- Director
- James Foley
- Release Date
- 1986-04-18
- Runtime
- 116 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (320)
Cast
- Sean Penn
- Christopher Walken
- Mary Stuart Masterson
- Chris Penn
- Millie Perkins
- Eileen Ryan
- Tracey Walter
- David Strathairn
- J.C. Quinn
- Candy Clark
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 At Close Range about?
- An impoverished Pennsylvania teenager’s fascination with his charismatic criminal father curdles into a devastating struggle for family survival.
- What is At Close Range like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of At Close Range as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is At Close Range violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in At Close Range as graphic.
- What did critics think of At Close Range?
- Critics broadly praised the film's bleak portrait of human nature and its powerful central performances, particularly Sean Penn and Christopher Walken, despite uneven pacing and limited commercial appeal.
- Which films are like At Close Range?
- Films with a similar feel include The King of New York, Miller's Crossing, The Grifters, and Blood Simple.
- How long is At Close Range?
- At Close Range runs 116 minutes.
- Where can I watch At Close Range?
- In United States, At Close Range is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
