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Sleeping Dogs

1978·Movie
1h 47min·NR
IMDb6.4

Where to watch

KanopyFandorARROW

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

What's your score?

Your score

Sleeping Dogs fingerprint

High energy, strong craft, emotionally cool.

Energy

Tense and violent

  • Tension8
  • Violence7
  • Adrenaline6

Heart

Melancholic

  • Melancholy7
  • Pathos6
  • Catharsis3

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay3
  • Dark Humor2
  • Situational Comedy0

World

Politics, society, and the mind

  • World Immersion7
  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • Rewatchability6

Craft

Standout performances and characters

  • Acting8
  • Character Depth8
  • Direction7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Sound Centrality7
  • Editing6

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchBinge-FriendlyThought-Provoking

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About

What happens when you're hunted...and there's no place to run!

Recluse Smith is drawn into a revolutionary struggle between guerrillas and right-wingers in New Zealand. Implicated in a murder and framed as a revolutionary conspirator, Smith tries to maintain an attitude of non-violence while caught between warring factions.
Political ThrillerDystopian DramaGuerrilla WarfareMoral DilemmaTense AtmosphereCharacter-DrivenNew Zealand CinemaSocial CommentaryBleak Outlook

Crew

Directed by:
Roger Donaldson, Jackie Sullivan, Mark Piper
Written by:
Ian Mune, Arthur Baysting, Christian K. Stead
Produced by:
Roger Donaldson, Mickey Cottrell, Nevan Rowe
Composed by:
Peter Fenton, Andy Roelants, David Calder

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Sleeping Dogs

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Sleeping Dogs legally?

KanopyFandorARROW

Sleeping Dogs is included with a subscription to ARROW in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on Kanopy and Fandor. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Sleeping Dogs worth watching?

61
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 61/100 (IMDb 6.4). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Sleeping Dogs rated?

NRViolenceStrong language

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

How long is Sleeping Dogs?

1 h 47 min

Sleeping Dogs runs 1 h 47 min.

Is Sleeping Dogs based on a true story?

No. It's adapted from a novel.

What language is Sleeping Dogs in?

EnglishMāori

It was made in English, with some Māori. Produced in New Zealand.

In how many countries can I watch Sleeping Dogs?

6CAGBGGIENZUS

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

What tropes does Sleeping Dogs use?

Day of the JackbootDowner EndingFalse Flag OperationFilm of the BookFrom Bad to WorseNo Full Name GivenLa RésistanceOnly Sane ManReality Has No SubtitlesThe Revolution Will Not Be VillifiedVomit Indiscretion ShotTranslation: "Yes"and 3 more

TV Tropes lists 15 storytelling tropes for Sleeping Dogs, including Day of the Jackboot, Downer Ending, False Flag Operation.