The Central Park Five

2012·Movie
1h 59min·NR
81
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb7.7Metacritic798.0Rotten Tomatoes92%86%

Where to watch

KanopyHooplaPBS Documentaries

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

The Central Park Five fingerprint

Strong craft, striking style, a touch of humor.

Energy

Tense

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension7
  • Fast Pace6
  • Adrenaline5

Heart

Deeply moving and cathartic

  • Pathos9
  • Catharsis9
  • Melancholy8

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Satire & Parody4
  • Wit & Wordplay3
  • Dark Humor3

World

History, society, and crime

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • Rewatchability6

Craft

Standout direction, performances, and storytelling

Layered plot that rewards full attention.

  • Direction8
  • Acting8
  • Narrative Structure8

Style

Standout editing

  • Editing8
  • Cinematography7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightPartner WatchSolo WatchThought-Provoking

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About

In 1989, five black and Latino teenagers from Harlem were arrested and later convicted of raping a white woman in New York City's Central Park. They spent between 6 and 13 years in prison before a serial rapist confessed that he alone had committed the crime, leading to their convictions being overturned. Set against a backdrop of a decaying city beset by violence and racial tension, this is the story of that horrific crime, the rush to judgment by the police, a media clamoring for sensational stories and an outraged public, and the five lives upended by this miscarriage of justice.
Racial InjusticeWrongful ConvictionNew York CityTrue CrimeSocial CommentaryMiscarriage of Justice1980sPolice misconduct

Crew

Directed by:
Ken Burns, David McMahon, Sarah Burns
Written by:
Ken Burns, David McMahon, Sarah Burns
Composed by:
Doug Wamble

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

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Questions about The Central Park Five

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Central Park Five legally?

KanopyHooplaPBS Documentaries

The Central Park Five is included with a subscription to Hoopla in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on Kanopy and Hoopla. You can also rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The Central Park Five worth watching?

81
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 82/100 (IMDb 7.7, Rotten Tomatoes 92%, and Metacritic 79). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Central Park Five rated?

NRStrong languageDisturbing imagery

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

How long is The Central Park Five?

1 h 59 min

The Central Park Five runs 1 h 59 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Central Park Five?

Critics86
Audiences81

Yes. Critics average 86 and audiences 81 out of 100, so both groups see The Central Park Five much the same way.

What language is The Central Park Five in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch The Central Park Five?

6AUCAGBGGNZUS

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Central Park Five in 6 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

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