Badlands (1974) movie poster

Badlands (1974)

"In 1959 a lot of people were killing time. Kit and Holly were killing people."
ThumbScore
👍 77%Google users liked it archived
Critics Score
🎬 96% (RT: 97%, MC: 94) ℹ️RT = Rotten Tomatoes (critic reviews). MC = Metacritic (weighted critic average). Critics Score is the average of both.
CrimeDramaRomance

Where to Watch

Rent / Buy
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Director
Runtime
1h 34m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
TMDB Rating
7.7/10 (1,321 votes)
Rotten Tomatoes
97%
Metacritic
94
Cast
Martin Sheen as Kit Carruthers
Sissy Spacek as Holly Sargis
Warren Oates as Holly's Father
Ramon Bieri as Cato
Alan Vint as Deputy
Gary Littlejohn as Sheriff
John Carter as Rich Man
Most people think so. 77% of audiences gave it a thumbs up based on 1,321 votes. Critics gave it 96%.
Overview
An impressionable teenage girl from a dead-end town and her older greaser boyfriend embark on a killing spree in the South Dakota badlands. Wikipedia ↗
Fun Facts
  • The initial cut of Badlands was reportedly much longer, with several subplots removed to improve the pacing.
  • Terrence Malick cited several classic crime films as the primary inspiration for the visual style.
  • Many of the background extras were actually locals from the filming locations.
Audience Consensus

Badlands is a 1974 crime, drama, romance film directed by Terrence Malick. An impressionable teenage girl from a dead-end town and her older greaser boyfriend embark on a killing spree in the South Dakota badlands. The film has been rated by 1,321 audiences on ThumbScore, reflecting its reach and engagement with viewers.

As a crime film, Badlands delivers on the expectations of its genre while bringing its own distinctive perspective to the storytelling. The production showcases the creative vision of its filmmaking team, bringing together performances, cinematography, and narrative elements that have resonated with audiences. Badlands (1974) continues to find viewers through theatrical releases, streaming platforms, and home media, maintaining its place in the contemporary entertainment landscape.

The film represents the kind of cinematic experience that has attracted a dedicated audience, with viewers appreciating its approach to the story and characters it presents.

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