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Trailer+1 trailer

Bound by Honor

1993Movie3 h 10 minR

CrimeDrama
69
GoodGoodWatch score
IMDb7.9Letterboxd4.0/5Metacritic478.2Rotten Tomatoes64%94%

A brutally violent, deeply moving crime movie about crime and everyday modern life.

Good for friends night · thought-provoking · adults

Skip it if you need an uplifting mood · graphic violence bothers you

Where to watch

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Not for warmth, laughs or comfort.

Movies with

Story

An epic story of three brothers. Bound by blood. Divided by fate. Driven by destiny.

Based on the true life experiences of poet Jimmy Santiago Baca, the film focuses on half-brothers Paco and Cruz, and their bi-racial cousin Miklo. It opens in 1972, as the three are members of an East L.A. gang known as the "Vatos Locos", and the story focuses on how a violent crime and the influence of narcotics alter their lives. Miklo is incarcerated and sent to San Quentin, where he makes a "home" for himself. Cruz becomes an exceptional artist, but a heroin addiction overcomes him with tragic results. Paco becomes a cop and an enemy to his "carnal", Miklo.

Feels like

  • Gangster Drama
  • Tragic Coming-of-Age
  • Social Realism
  • Prison Narrative
  • Chicano Experience
  • Brotherhood & Betrayal
  • Narcotics Addiction
  • Systemic Oppression
  • Biographical Inspiration
  • Gritty Urban Setting

Cast

24 of 48

Crew

Directed by
Taylor Hackford
Written by
Floyd Mutrux, Ross Thomas, Jeremy Iacone
Produced by
Taylor Hackford, Jerry Gershwin
Music by
Bill Conti

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

February 5, 1993 · 3 h 10 min · R

Released
February 5, 1993
Runtime
3 h 10 min
Age rating
R
Content
Violence, Drug Use, Strong Language, Disturbing Imagery
Genres
Crime, Drama, Thriller
Original language
English
Also spoken
Spanish
Made in
United States
Budget
$35 million
Box office
$5 million
Available in
1 country

Q&A

5 questions, like "Where can I stream Bound by Honor?"

Questions about Bound by Honor

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Bound by Honor?

Prime

In the United States, Bound by Honor streams on Prime.

Is Bound by Honor worth watching?

69
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 69 (IMDb 7.9, Letterboxd 4.0 out of 5, Rotten Tomatoes 64%, and Metacritic 47). Audiences rate it higher (84 out of 100) than critics (56).

Will I feel good after watching Bound by Honor?

BleakHopeful

Probably not: the title analysis rates it 8 of 10 for bleakness and 7 for melancholy, against 2 for hopefulness.

Is Bound by Honor plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on pathos (9 of 10) and character depth (8 of 10) more than on its plot.

Was Bound by Honor a box office flop?

Budget$35 million
Box office$5 million

Yes: it cost about $35 million to make and earned $5 million worldwide, 13% of its budget.