American History X
  • Release Date:
American History X Image
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Metascore
62

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.8

Universal acclaim- based on 313 Ratings

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  • Starring: ,
  • Summary: A groundbreaking controversial drama about the tragic consequences of racism in a family. (New Line Cinema)

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 32
  3. Negative: 3 out of 32
  1. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Gene Siskel
    100
    A shockingly powerful screed against racism that also manages to be so well performed and directed that it is entertaining as well. [30 October 1998, Friday, p.A]
    All this critic's reviews
  2. Variety
    Reviewed by: Todd McCarthy
    80
    Jolting, superbly acted film.
  3. Mr. Showbiz
    Reviewed by: Kevin Maynard
    80
    American History X is a crash course on how to make a message movie that resonates with crackling power.
    All this critic's reviews
  4. Slate
    Reviewed by: David Edelstein
    70
    It's a testament to Norton's utter immersion in the role that he can even halfway connect the dots between this fundamentally sweet, brainy kid and the magnetic, white trash monster who'll haunt our minds long after the movie's liberal pieties fade into static.
  5. The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
    Reviewed by: Liam Lacey
    63
    Excellent in flashes, unintentionally absurd and lead-footed at other moments, the movie stumbles under the weight of its own grandiose intentions.
  6. Time
    Reviewed by: Richard Corliss
    60
    It's hard to know whom to blame for the film's choppiness, its mixture of rage and sentimentality, the stridency of some of the acting.
  7. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Stephen Hunter
    20
    A mousy little nothing of a picture.

See all 32 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 99 out of 103
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 103
  3. Negative: 3 out of 103
  1. MattS.
    Sep 17, 2005
    10
    Superb directing and acting. Tony Kaye takes us on a dramatic journey that leaves us on the edge of our seat.
  2. sockemeye
    Nov 23, 2010
    10
    One of the greatest movies I've ever seen, with an amazing, captivating performance by Edward Norton. This film sheds light on issues that many people in society are afraid to discuss or take seriously. A beautifully composed film, a must see.… Expand
  3. J
    May 15, 2006
    10
    i thought this movie was very good,then ending of the movie had my heart racing it's an amazing movie with a good message and this movie just shows what happens to people all around the world every day that this stuff is really real and we should try to do more to become a better society and world.… Expand
  4. LegenSA
    May 29, 2013
    10
    I think that this movie MUST take 10/10, because of it's thoughts about racism and Nazism. The end is curt, but still amazing... If you haven't seen it, you should. It's changed my feelings about Nazism positively and that's wonderful. Finally don't see it half. You'll dislike it.… Expand
  5. Mcclane600
    Feb 24, 2014
    10
    A breathtaking message with an emotional story, everyone in the world should see this movie who
    have not.
    !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!    … Expand
  6. TTW107
    Feb 14, 2012
    9
    I think one of the most powerful movies i've ever seen. There isn't one dull moment and it draws you in from the first minute. It's insane how buff Edword Norton got for this.… Expand
  7. J-Shap
    Aug 25, 2011
    3
    What we have here is a message picture determined to undo itself, with simple ideas (see: I think racism is a tad more complicated than Norton and his black friend) needlessly histrionic dialogue (see: interactions with family), and manipulating moments of over-drama with the force of a chainsaw rising out of a volcano (see: every scene in which racial atrocities are committed, which are all in black and white, slow-motion and have a choir singing the music of hell in the foreground).… Expand

See all 103 User Reviews

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