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Bound by Honor

1993·Movie
3h 10min·R
69
GoodGoodWatch score

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Bound by Honor fingerprint

High energy, big heart, a touch of humor.

Energy

Brutally violent and tense

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Violence9
  • Tension8
  • Adrenaline6

Heart

Deeply moving and melancholic

Much of it is about family and growing up.

  • Pathos9
  • Family Dynamics9
  • Melancholy8

Humor

Some sharp wit

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay5
  • Dark Humor3
  • Situational Comedy0

World

Crime, everyday modern life, and family

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion9
  • Dialogue Centrality8
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout performances, characters, and direction

  • Acting9
  • Character Depth9
  • Direction8

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7
  • Sound Centrality7

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightPartner WatchSolo WatchBinge-FriendlyThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You need an uplifting moodYou want fast pacingGraphic violence bothers you

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

About

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.
Gritty Crime DramaPrison SagaChicano CultureFamily LoyaltyTragic NarrativeSocial CommentaryCharacter DrivenEpic ScopeIntense ViolenceAuthentic Depiction

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Bound by Honor

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Bound by Honor legally?

Bound by Honor is included with a subscription to Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Prime Video with Ads in the United States. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Bound by Honor worth watching?

69
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 70/100 (IMDb 7.9, Rotten Tomatoes 64%, and Metacritic 47). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Bound by Honor rated?

RViolenceDrug useStrong languageDisturbing imagery

It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: violence, drug use, strong language, and disturbing imagery.

How long is Bound by Honor?

3 h 10 min

Bound by Honor runs 3 h 10 min.

Is Bound by Honor based on a true story?

Yes. It's based on real events or a real person's life.

Do critics and audiences agree on Bound by Honor?

Critics56
Audiences85

Not quite. Audiences rate Bound by Honor higher (85) than critics (56). It's more of a crowd-pleaser than a critics' pick.

Was Bound by Honor a box office hit?

Budget$35 million
Box office$5 million

No. It cost about $35 million to make and earned $5 million worldwide, 13% of its budget.

What language is Bound by Honor in?

EnglishSpanish

It was made in English, with some Spanish. Produced in United States.