The Deer Hunter
8.1
The Deer Hunter fingerprint
Relentless energy, big heart, no humor.
Energy
Nerve-racking and brutally violent
Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
- Tension9
- Violence9
- Spectacle8
Heart
Deeply moving and profoundly sad
Much of it is about family and growing up.
- Pathos10
- Melancholy9
- Family Dynamics8
Humor
A little humor
Not a comedy at heart.
- Wit & Wordplay3
- Dark Humor2
- Situational Comedy0
World
History, war, and the mind
Lived-in and easy to get lost in. Holds up on a rewatch.
- World Immersion9
- Rewatchability8
- Dialogue Centrality7
Craft
Standout performances, characters, and direction
- Acting10
- Character Depth10
- Direction9
Style
Standout cinematography, score, and sound design
- Cinematography9
- Music Composition8
- Music Centrality8
Energy
Very highNerve-racking and brutally violent
Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
The Deer Hunter is nerve-racking, brutally violent, and spectacular. The story builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
All energy traits
- Tension9Edge-of-your-seat suspense and pressure.
- Violence9Physical conflict and intensity.
- Spectacle8Scale and set-piece grandeur.
- Adrenaline7High-energy, pulse-pounding intensity.
- Scare4Frightening moments and scares.
- Fast Pace4Quick tempo and momentum.
Related traits
- Warfare10Battles, strategy, and conflict.
- Bleakness9Grim, stark outlooks.
- Slow Burn8Gradual build with payoff.
- Grotesque7Macabre, distorted imagery.
Heart
HighDeeply moving and profoundly sad
Much of it is about family and growing up.
Emotionally, it's deeply moving, profoundly sad, and cathartic. Much of it is about family and growing up.
All heart traits
- Pathos10Deeply moving, empathetic emotion.
- Melancholy9Bittersweet, reflective sadness.
- Family Dynamics8Relationships and generational ties.
- Catharsis7Emotional release and payoff.
- Coming of Age7Personal growth and self-discovery.
- Romance5Love stories and emotional connections.
- Nostalgia5Warmth of memory and retro vibes.
- Hopefulness3Optimism and uplifting resolve.
- Wonder2Awe, discovery, and amazement.
- Wholesome1Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
Related traits
- Character Depth10Rich, complex characterization.
- Bleakness9Grim, stark outlooks.
- Philosophical7Ideas about life and existence.
Humor
NoneA little humor
Not a comedy at heart.
Expect a little humor.
All humor traits
- Wit & Wordplay3Clever dialogue and verbal humor.
- Dark Humor2Humor from taboo or grim topics.
- Situational Comedy0Humor from everyday scenarios and setups.
- Physical Comedy0Slapstick and visual gags.
- Cringe Humor0Awkward, uncomfortable laughs.
- Absurdist Humor0Surreal, nonsensical comedy.
- Satire & Parody0Sharp critique and playful imitation.
World
HighHistory, war, and the mind
Lived-in and easy to get lost in. Holds up on a rewatch.
Its world is built around history, war, and the mind. The setting feels lived-in and easy to get lost in. It holds up on a rewatch.
All world traits
- World Immersion9Depth and sensory richness of setting.
- Rewatchability8Invites repeat viewing.
- Dialogue Centrality7Stories driven by conversation.
- Novelty7Fresh ideas and invention.
- Ambiguity6Open-endedness and uncertainty.
Related traits
- Historical10Period settings and real events.
- Warfare10Battles, strategy, and conflict.
- Psychological9Inner worlds and mind games.
- Social Commentary8Perspectives on society and norms.
- Contemporary Realism6Modern, grounded storytelling.
- Politics6Thought-provoking works exploring political themes.
Craft
HighStandout performances, characters, and direction
The performances, characters, and direction stand out.
All craft traits
- Acting10Performance craft and presence.
- Character Depth10Rich, complex characterization.
- Direction9Vision and command behind the camera.
- Narrative Structure8Story architecture and form.
- Dialogue Quality8Sharp writing and memorable lines.
- Intrigue7Curiosity and investigative pull.
- Complexity7Layered plots and ideas.
- Non-linear Narrative3Time-shifts and structure play.
- Meta Narrative0Stories about storytelling.
Related traits
- Slow Burn8Gradual build with payoff.
- Novelty7Fresh ideas and invention.
- Philosophical7Ideas about life and existence.
Style
HighStandout cinematography, score, and sound design
Look and sound: the cinematography, score, and sound design stand out.
All style traits
- Cinematography9Visual composition and camera work.
- Music Composition8Score and musical identity.
- Music Centrality8Songs central to storytelling.
- Sound Centrality8Sound design as core element.
- Editing7Pacing and structure through cuts.
- Visual Stylization6Distinctive aesthetic signature.
Related traits
- Spectacle8Scale and set-piece grandeur.
- Grotesque7Macabre, distorted imagery.
- Dialogue Centrality7Stories driven by conversation.
Who it's for
Skip it if
Find more like it
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 most important and powerful films of all time!
Actors
Crew
Related Movies and Shows
Overall: Similar vibe.
Movies
Shows
Sequels and Prequels
Media
Questions about The Deer Hunter
Quick answers from GoodWatch data.
Is The Deer Hunter worth watching?
Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 88/100 (IMDb 8.1, Rotten Tomatoes 86%, and Metacritic 100). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.
What is The Deer Hunter rated?
It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: violence, strong language, and disturbing imagery.
How long is The Deer Hunter?
3 h 3 min
The Deer Hunter runs 3 h 3 min.
Do critics and audiences agree on The Deer Hunter?
Not quite. Critics rate The Deer Hunter higher (93) than audiences (84). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.
Was The Deer Hunter a box office hit?
Yes. It cost about $15 million to make and earned $49 million worldwide, 3.3 times its budget.
What language is The Deer Hunter in?
It was made in English, with some French, Russian, Vietnamese. Produced in United Kingdom, United States.
In how many countries can I watch The Deer Hunter?
+53GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Deer Hunter in 67 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.
What tropes does The Deer Hunter use?
TV Tropes lists 60 storytelling tropes for The Deer Hunter, including Russian Roulette, Foreshadowing, Scenery Porn.