The Sunset Limited

2011·Movie
1h 31min·R
IMDb7.3Rotten Tomatoes68%80%

Where to watch

HBO Max

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

The Sunset Limited fingerprint

Immersive world, strong craft, low-key.

Energy

Calm and low-key

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension6
  • Fast Pace3
  • Violence3

Heart

Melancholic and cathartic

  • Melancholy8
  • Catharsis8
  • Pathos7

Humor

Some sharp wit

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay7
  • Dark Humor4
  • Cringe Humor3

World

Everyday modern life, the mind, and faith and meaning

  • Dialogue Centrality10
  • World Immersion7
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout performances, dialogue, and characters

Layered plot that rewards full attention.

  • Acting9
  • Dialogue Quality9
  • Character Depth9

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition6

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightSolo WatchComfort WatchThought-Provoking

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Psychological moviesMelancholic movies

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

About

Nothing is ever black or white.

A deeply religious black ex-con thwarts the suicide attempt of an asocial white college professor who tries to throw himself in front of an oncoming subway train, 'The Sunset Limited.' As the one attempts to connect on a rational, spiritual and emotional level, the other remains steadfast in his hard-earned despair. Locked in a philosophical debate, both passionately defend their personal credos and try to convert the other.
Philosophical DebateSuicide AttemptRedemptionExistential CrisisSpiritual StruggleContemporary SettingCharacter StudyDialogue-DrivenThought-Provoking

Crew

Directed by:
Tommy Lee Jones
Written by:
Cormac McCarthy, Cormac McCarthy
Produced by:
Tommy Lee Jones, Barbara A. Hall, Wesley A. Oliver
Composed by:
Marco Beltrami, Skip Lievsay, David Bach

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

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Questions about The Sunset Limited

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Sunset Limited legally?

HBO Max

The Sunset Limited is included with a subscription to HBO Max in the United States. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The Sunset Limited worth watching?

71
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 72/100 (IMDb 7.3 and Rotten Tomatoes 68%). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Sunset Limited rated?

RSuicide themesStrong language

It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: suicide themes and strong language.

How long is The Sunset Limited?

1 h 31 min

The Sunset Limited runs 1 h 31 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Sunset Limited?

Critics68
Audiences77

Not quite. Audiences rate The Sunset Limited higher (77) than critics (68). It's more of a crowd-pleaser than a critics' pick.

What language is The Sunset Limited in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch The Sunset Limited?

77ADAEAGARATAUBABBBEBGBHBOBRBS+63

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Sunset Limited in 77 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Sunset Limited use?

Minimalist CastIntelligence Equals IsolationLarge HamMagical NegroN-Word PrivilegesInsult of EndearmentReligion Is WrongHates Everyone EquallyDon't Fear the ReaperHollywood AtheistCessation of ExistenceGood with Numbersand 27 more

TV Tropes lists 39 storytelling tropes for The Sunset Limited, including Minimalist Cast, Intelligence Equals Isolation, Large Ham.

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