Sleepers

1996 • 147 minutes

4.6

426 reviews

73%

Tomatometer

Eligible

About this movie

Four ordinary boys. A harmless prank gone awry. Their childhood innocence forever shattered, they vow to avenge its loss in the haunting drama Sleepers. Sentenced to spend time at a reform school for their reckless behavior, four basically good boys from a bad neighborhood suffer a horrible fate while there. Forced to perform unspeakable acts by the very adults entrusted to watch over them, the young quartet barely survives the ordeal. A decade and a half later, nothing can erase the painful memories. But neighborhood justice, with a little support from a loyal priest, helps even the score. Academy Award-winners Robert De Niro and Dustin Hoffman team up with international superstars Kevin Bacon, Brad Pitt and Jason Patric, along with Academy Award-winning director Barry Levinson (Rain Man), in this compelling drama of shocking retribution.

Ratings and reviews

4.6

426 reviews

SM Potts

December 28, 2020

I think about how children are still put in situations, whether they have committed a crime, or not, with adults who have opportunity to exploit their vulnerability, and how often it doesn't take threats to maintain silence. As we see here, it is often kept a secret by the misplaced guilt and shame of a child victim. I was born in the 1950's, and was naturally outspoken, not a trait usually cultivated in little girls then. But my mother didn't shame me if I was speaking my mind. Wise mom.

Trace Si

March 8, 2016

Honestly, this movie really shows you how little boys who are sexually salted or be used by someone that they're supposed to look up to become a man with such secrets that it destroys them later. It's a good movie for lessons in knowing that no matter what costume or uniform that comes with a job, there still are and always will be wolves in sheep's clothing

16 people found this review helpful

gaming is on fire

November 11, 2018

Must see classic. Interesting fact; Brad Renfro who portrays a young Michael, was under the influence of drugs during the filming. (Just pot and a little bit of coke) He unfortunately died of a heroine overdose at the age of 25. He dominated the covers of teen magazines in the late 90's along side Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Andrew Keegan and Mathew Laurence. Rest in Peace Brad Renfro.

Rate this movie

Tell us what you think.