River's Edge poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Crispin Glover, Keanu Reeves, Ione Skye, Daniel Roebuck, Dennis Hopper ... see more see more... , Leo Rossi , Joshua John Miller , Josh Richman , Tom Bower , Roxana Zal , Constance Forslund , Phil Brock , Maryedith Burrell , Danyl Deats , Jim Metzler , Taylor Negron , Tammy Smith , James Terry , Chris Peters , Frances de L'Etanche Du Bois , Michael Hungerford , Yuzo Nishihara , Maeve Odum , Richard Richcreek , Danyi Deats

The nude, strangled body of a teenaged girl lies on the edge of the river. Her murderer is her boyfriend, Daniel Roebuck. All the kids in Roebuck's dismal, dead-end town know who committed the murder.... read more read more... Trouble is, no one bothers to turn Roebuck in; some of the teens don't know how to react to the crime, while others, strung out on drugs and booze, just don't give a damn. A study of contemporary alienation, River's Edge was based on a real-life incident that occurred in Milpitas, California, in 1981. That same year, Neal Jimenez wrote his screenplay for River's Edge, but was not able to finance the project until 1987. Except for Dennis Hopper, cast as a holdover from the sixties who hobbles about on one leg and makes love to a blow-up doll, the cast was largely comprised of unknowns, many of whom (Crispin Glover, Keanu Reeves, Ione Skye) would definitely be heard from in the future. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Flixster Users

73% liked it

8,300 ratings

Critics

86% liked it

35 critics

R, 1 hr. 39 min.

Directed by: Tim Hunter

Release Date: May 8, 1987

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: January 23, 2001

Stats: 553 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

river Crispin Glover River's Edge "Check's in the mail"
Upload a Photo | View All River's Edge Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (553)

  • flixsterman
    April 16, 2012
    flixsterman
    If there is genius to be found here it is most certainly in the casting of off-center actors (i.e. Crispin Glover and Dennis Hopper) to play off-center characters. Creepy and dark in a light-hearted '80s sort of way.
  • hunterjt13
    October 9, 2011
    hunterjt13
    A high schooler kills his girlfriend, and his friends have varied reactions, some attempting to help him escape, others apathetic, and others telling the police.
    I've read the many reviews that describe this film as an exploration of the then-contemporary distance between action ... read moreand morality and stimulus and morality, but this theme isn't explored; it's shown in the characters' actions then interpreted for us by the one of the adult characters. And how can Crispin Glover's performance be called anything except over-acting at its worse. Glover's characteristic dorky, halting delivery is accentuated to the nth degree, and Layne is so ridiculous that it is unbelievable that even John would hang out with him. What's worse, because Canoehead hasn't an original, creative bone in his body, he picks up Glover's mannerisms, and the scenes between Layne and Matt become so obnoxiously entrenched in a cliched surfer culture that I felt myself get stupider.
    In the story, there is no suspense or mystery. We know early on who tells the cops, and though it's structured like In Cold Blood, where the gory details of the murder provide the story's climax, by the time the killer's reasons are revealed, I had already lost interest.
    Overall, there are people who see profundity in River's Edge, but I'm not one of them.
  • fb619846742
    August 8, 2011
    fb619846742
    An over-acted but nonetheless arresting study in blind loyalty concerning a small town and its younger inhabitants (Crispin Glover, Keanu Reeves, among others), and how their social circle is rocked by the inexplicable murder by one of their friends after he kills his girlfriend,... read more and doesn't appear to be showing any remorse for it nor concern for what lies ahead for him. While, as said, the acting gets a little too dramatic at times, the performances are still undeniably effective, notably Glover, who uses a grating, whiny voice that is the perfect foil to his wannabe "leader" character. Reeves is equally impressive because, well, he just really seems to naturally get his character, even if some "Woah dude!" moments creep in once in a while. Unlike "Bully", another film that dealt with a murder amongst a group of friends and how they dealt with it, director Tim Hunter never indulges himself in gratuitous nudity, and he actually makes you feel for one or two of his characters (Dennis Hopper's is especially tragic), which is very important to the overall success and impact this story aims to have. It isn't a masterpiece, or even a "great" movie, but it is a solid one, and one that deserves a view based on the sad fact that this story is based on real events that took place in the early 80's.
  • ajv2688
    January 21, 2011
    ajv2688
    My absolute favourite teenage drama/thriller of the 80s. It has an excellent cast, a great (and true) story, and it's even got a bit of humor. I highly recommend this movie.
  • CrookedlittleB33
    November 28, 2009
    CrookedlittleB33
    Yes, yes...I know the drill. Shame on me for not having seen this sooner. I kinda adore movies in this type of fashion. Be it Stand by Me, Alpha Dog or that one with another river and dead bodies, ah the complications. But, really Glover and Reeves shine in here..they really do.... read more Whoddathunk Neo's got some acting skillz? Nah, srsly. It was fucking intense to watch this plot unfold, srsly...12 yr olds stealing beer, and guns? Are they crazy. Must have been the cold war effect had on America at the time? I sense a wee bit of Mersaultian influence in here as well, curious...simply curious how apathy stirs things up. Anyways, review TBC.

    Oh ja, and before I forget? Gold star for TC recommending this wee gem to me. xD
  • SirPant
    September 25, 2009
    SirPant
    Great film! Crispin Glover, Dennis Hopper, Ione Skye and Daniel Roebuck are all great. Keanu Reeves can't really act but he does ok in this classic teen drama that was very different to the John Hughes type films that were doing very well at the time.
  • puffchunk
    February 8, 2008
    puffchunk
    Dennis Hopper gets nun-chucked in the head by 12 year olds, long shots of a naked dead chick getting poked by sticks, and Crispen Glover's hair- all awesome. If you enjoyed his freak out scenes in Willard, you'll love him in this too. Funtastic.
  • yona71
    November 22, 2007
    yona71
    A truly remarkable film! Brilliant character portrayals by a top notch cast. Particularly Dennis Hopper's character portrayal of Feck, the homebound criminal ex-biker. So crazy yet so funny! Crispin Glover's portrayal of Lane is outstanding and hilarious as well, and this film is... read more by no means a comedy. It's a rather dark film yet always watchable and entertaining.
  • webalina
    August 10, 2007
    webalina
    Creepy movie. A teen girl is murdered by her boyfriend. He tells all his weirdo friends about it, and instead of turning him in, some stupid code of honor keeps them silent. Supposedly based on a true story. Features Dennis Hopper with a blow-up doll girlfriend, and Ione Skey and... read more Keanu Reeves as the voices of reason.
  • garyX
    January 3, 2007
    garyX
    Low key thriller that enjoys something of a cult following. Some may find it a little uneventful, but there's a great cast of quirky characters, and it plays like an odd cross between a John Hughes brat pack film and Twin Peaks. An interesting oddity.

View All River's Edge Reviews

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff
July 18, 2007
Variety Staff, Variety

An unusually downbeat and depressing youth pic. Full Review

Pat Graham
July 18, 2007
Pat Graham, Chicago Reader

It's more a success than a failure, if only because the confusions are so protean. Full Review

Janet Maslin
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Bitter and disturbing. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

This is the best analytical film about a crime since The Onion Field and In Cold Blood. Full Review

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

River stabs all-too-wildly in the dark. Full Review

Hal Hinson
January 1, 2000
Hal Hinson, Washington Post

The movie's thinking is hackneyed and sloppy. Full Review

July 18, 2007
TV Guide's Movie Guide

One of the most haunting films of the 1980s, River's Edge looks at a suburban, postpunk generation which has no causes, no morals, no feelings, and, worst of all, no future. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
December 14, 2006
Emanuel Levy, Screendaily

Based on an actual incident in Northern California, Tim Hunter's controversial indie addresses the growing alienation and moral vacancy among youths growing up in drug-oriented and media-saturated soc... Full Review

Geoff Andrew
February 9, 2006
Geoff Andrew, Time Out

There are some good, frightening scenes of volatile lunacy, but the whole thing badly lacks a controlling distance and perspective. Full Review

Brad Laidman
December 6, 2005
Brad Laidman, Film Threat

The silliest work of the '80s. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Teachers
    Teachers (0%)
  • Suburbia
    Suburbia (67%)
  • Permanent Record
    Permanent Record (0%)
  • The Lake House
    The Lake House (32%)

More Movies like River's Edge

Facts

No facts approved yet. Be the first

River's Edge : Watch Free on TV

River's Edge Trivia

  • 1987 movie with Crispin Glover, Keanu Reeves and Dennis Hopper   Answer »
  • A 1987 movie starring Keanu Reeves, Crispin Glover and Dennis Hopper. *HINT*For much of the movie there is a dead girl by the river...  Answer »
  • which actor was on point break on a rivers edge being a devils advocate and a thumbsucker?  Answer »
  • Which of the following movies did not star Christian Slater?  Answer »
More River's Edge Trivia

Movie Quizzes

Create a Quiz |

All Quizzes

Video Clips

Upload a Video |

All River's Edge Videos

Meet Other Fans

Add River's Edge to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?