River's Edge

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River's Edge

R

1987

1h 38m

Drama

Crime

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

41 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Teenage burnout Samson (Daniel Roebuck) has murdered his girlfriend and left her naked body lying on the bank of a river just outside their small California town. He not only doesn't run away, he brings his friends to gawk at her dead body. Speed freak Layne (Crispin Glover) tries to force the teens' silence to protect their friend, but conscience is gnawing at the others -- particularly Matt (Keanu Reeves) and Clarissa (Ione Skye Leitch), who want to go to the police.

Critics Consensus

A harrowing tale of aimless youth, River's Edge generates considerable tension and urgency thanks to strong performances from a stellar cast that includes Crispin Glover, Keanu Reeves, and Ione Skye.

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Jay Boyar

Orlando Sentinel

Nov 11, 2013

The triumph of this bleak, unsettling picture is that, no matter how grim it gets, it's far too involving for you to turn away.

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Michael Wilmington

Los Angeles Times

Nov 11, 2013

River's Edge is a contemporary horror story about teen-agers, but it contains no slasher scenes or serial homicides. Its monsters are all too real.

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Variety Staff

Variety

Jul 18, 2007

An unusually downbeat and depressing youth pic.

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Steve Warren

Bay Area Reporter

Mar 29, 2023

Many of the young actors in River's Edge should be heard from again, with Reeves a particular standout.

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Mitchell Beaupre

Paste Magazine

Sep 23, 2022

9.5/10

There’s something specifically unsettling in the authentic way that River’s Edge captures the pervading ennui of eking out an existence in this type of go-nowhere place.

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Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

Aug 24, 2022

A

The passage of 35 years has made River’s Edge feel more timelessly tragic. Other than a few bits of score that briefly make the movie sound like a banal ‘80s thriller, it has aged very, very well.

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B L

@Blinvill Jul 7, 2026

Overrated for sure. Slow and pretty stupid plot. Not sure what really happened since this is based on a true story but probably not what was shown here.

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Ian R

@RT23899272 Jul 6, 2026

Slow start, to get over the awkward premise. It's definitely worth watching. Once the film gets into its stride it's compelling. Some great performances sure help. Plus the 1980's setting is real and the theme song is classic Madonna.

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Blake- N

@PBSAniDom May 17, 2026

River's Edge is a striking and unsettling drama that left a strong impression on me. It captures a bleak, grounded atmosphere that feels authentic and difficult to shake long after it ends. The performances are strong across the board, with the cast delivering natural and restrained work that makes the story feel more real. The film handles its heavy themes with a quiet intensity that adds a lot of weight without overexplaining anything. While the pacing can feel slow at times, it ultimately works in favor of the film’s mood. It builds tension in a subtle, understated way rather than relying on constant action or spectacle, which may not work for everyone. Overall, this is a thoughtful and disturbing coming-of-age drama that lingers in your mind. It is not an easy watch, but it is a memorable one. I would rate River's Edge an 8/10.

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Christine R

@RT61982011 May 14, 2026

I don’t get the hype. This movie is stupid and boring. Terrible.

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Frans B

@FransB Apr 22, 2026

Very unsettling but very well done. Great story, well written. Good cinematography adds to grim ambiance. Very capable cast all excels in character. Carelessness and real monsters showcased in aimless teenager lives. Leaves an impression for sure

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artie m

@everythings_brownn Jan 2, 2026

I loved this movie, I love Crispin Glover.

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Tim Hunter

Director

Crispin Glover

Layne

Keanu Reeves

Matt

Dennis Hopper

Feck

Ione Skye

Clarissa

Roxana Zal

Maggie

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Synopsis

Teenage burnout Samson (Daniel Roebuck) has murdered his girlfriend and left her naked body lying on the bank of a river just outside their small California town. He not only doesn't run away, he brings his friends to gawk at her dead body. Speed freak Layne (Crispin Glover) tries to force the teens' silence to protect their friend, but conscience is gnawing at the others -- particularly Matt (Keanu Reeves) and Clarissa (Ione Skye Leitch), who want to go to the police.

Director: Tim Hunter
Producer: Sarah Pillsbury, Midge Sanford
Screenwriter: Neal Jimenez
Production Co: Hemdale Film Corporation [us], Sanford/Pillsbury Productions
Rating: R
Genre: Drama, Crime
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 30, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.2M
Runtime: 1h 38m

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