Overview
A talented pool hustler battles his inner demons and the high stakes of the game.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- melancholic
- brooding
- morally complex
- classic film night
- serious movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as a dark, morally complex redemption drama elevated by iconic performances from Paul Newman and Jackie Gleason and Robert Rossen's assured direction.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Eddie Felson's desire to become a top pool player repeatedly damages his relationships and ethical judgment.
Bert Gordon promises to develop Eddie's career while treating him as an exploitable asset.
The film's pool rooms and gambling circuits define Eddie's social world and its harsh codes.
The marathon match between Eddie and Minnesota Fats turns billiards into a test of endurance, pride, and character.
Films like The Hustler, and why
Rounders
shared morally complex redemption story, gambling milieu, and intense character study
The Color of Money
shared sports drama structure, obsessive ambition, and corrosive mentor relationship
Raging Bull
shared dark psychological drama, self-destructive protagonist, and high-stakes competitive world
California Split
shared gambling culture, romantic melancholy, and morally compromised striving
Movie Details
- Director
- Robert Rossen
- Release Date
- 1961-09-25
- Runtime
- 134 min
- Rating
- 7.7 / 10 (1126)
Cast
- Paul Newman
- Jackie Gleason
- Piper Laurie
- George C. Scott
- Myron McCormick
- Murray Hamilton
- Michael Constantine
- Stefan Gierasch
- Clifford A. Pellow
- Jake LaMotta
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- FlixFling, IndieFlix Shorts Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Hustler about?
- A gifted pool hustler is forced to choose between professional glory purchased through corruption and the fragile possibility of personal redemption.
- What is The Hustler like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Hustler as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Hustler violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Hustler as mild.
- What did critics think of The Hustler?
- Critics broadly regard the film as a dark, morally complex redemption drama elevated by iconic performances from Paul Newman and Jackie Gleason and Robert Rossen's assured direction.
- Which films are like The Hustler?
- Films with a similar feel include Rounders, The Color of Money, Raging Bull, and California Split.
- How long is The Hustler?
- The Hustler runs 134 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Hustler?
- In United States, The Hustler streams on FlixFling, IndieFlix Shorts Amazon Channel.
