The Defiant Ones

1958·Movie
1h 36min·NR
IMDb7.5Metacritic697.5Rotten Tomatoes90%88%

Where to watch

fuboTVMGM+PhiloHooplaYouTube TVTubi TV

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

The Defiant Ones fingerprint

High energy, strong craft, a touch of humor.

Energy

Brutally violent and tense

  • Violence9
  • Tension8
  • Adrenaline7

Heart

Melancholic and cathartic

  • Melancholy7
  • Catharsis7
  • Pathos6

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Physical Comedy4
  • Wit & Wordplay3
  • Situational Comedy2

World

History, crime, and society

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • Rewatchability6

Craft

Standout direction, performances, and characters

  • Direction8
  • Acting8
  • Character Depth8

Style

Standout cinematography

  • Cinematography8
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightSolo WatchDrop-in FriendlyThought-Provoking

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

One of the great ones!

Two convicts—one white, one black—escape while chained to each other.
Chain GangRacial PrejudiceEscaped ConvictsForced Alliance1950s AmericaTenseGrittySocial Commentary

Crew

Directed by:
Stanley Kramer, John Franco, Paul Helmick
Written by:
Nedrick Young, Harold Jacob Smith
Produced by:
Stanley Kramer, Clem Beauchamp
Composed by:
Ernest Gold, Jean L. Speak, Walter Elliott

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

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Questions about The Defiant Ones

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Defiant Ones legally?

fuboTVMGM+PhiloHooplaYouTube TVTubi TV

The Defiant Ones is included with a subscription to fuboTV, Philo, YouTube TV, and MGM+ in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on Hoopla, YouTube Free, and Tubi TV. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The Defiant Ones worth watching?

78
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 78/100 (IMDb 7.5, Rotten Tomatoes 90%, and Metacritic 69). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Defiant Ones rated?

NRViolenceStrong language

It's rated NR in the United States. Content advisories: violence and strong language.

How long is The Defiant Ones?

1 h 36 min

The Defiant Ones runs 1 h 36 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Defiant Ones?

Critics80
Audiences79

Yes. Critics average 80 and audiences 79 out of 100, so both groups see The Defiant Ones much the same way.

What language is The Defiant Ones in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch The Defiant Ones?

33ARATAUBEBRCACHCLCOCZDEESFRGB+19

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Defiant Ones in 33 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Defiant Ones use?

Bittersweet EndingBook EndsBlackfaceChained HeatCreator CameoCreepy CrowsHave a Gay Old TimeLetting Her Hair DownNo Name GivenWhat You Are in the DarkSpiteful SpitSleep Cuteand 3 more

TV Tropes lists 15 storytelling tropes for The Defiant Ones, including Bittersweet Ending, Book Ends, Blackface.

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