Kalifornia

Name: Kalifornia
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Crime
Released: November 3, 1993
Duration: 117 min
Rating: 49
Cast: Brad Pitt, Juliette Lewis

1993

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 17 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 142 Ratings

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8.4

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8.4	User Score Universal acclaim based on 142 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Gramercy Pictures (I) | Release Date: November 3, 1993 | NC-17

Starring: Brad Pitt, Juliette Lewis

Summary: A graduate student and his girlfriend set out on a cross-country roadtrip to research a book they are writing on serial killers. Along the way, they pick up an ex-con and his girlfriend who will take them on a ride they'll never forget. (MGM)

Director: Dominic Sena

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller, Crime

Rating: NC-17

Runtime: 117 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Roger Ebert

The suspense screws up tighter than a drum-head. The characters remain believable; we have a conflict of personalities, not stereotypes. The action coexists seamlessly with the message. Read full review

Peter Travers

This kinky game of murder and eroticism is preposterous but never boring. Read full review

Pamela Bruce

The best thing this film has going for it are the outstanding performances of Pitt and Lewis as a sort of white trash Romeo and Juliet cum Henry Lee and Becky. Pitt is especially believable, so much so that he eerily captures the sociopathic persona of a real-life killer from a true-crime book: the thin, easy-going veneer that masks an evil sense of an absent conscience. Read full review

Rick Groen

If the plot thins, the performances don't. Brad Pitt's lank-haired loony, Juliette Lewis's crippled innocent, David Duchovny's well-meaning hypocrite, Michelle Forbes' black-clad shutterbug - each is a deeply etched portrait that fulfills its early promise. [24 Sep 1993]

Richard Harrington

The movie is so beautifully filmed by Bojan Bazelli, and so skillfully edited, that its art house surface belies its exploitation content, making this a trip through a cool world rather than a cruel one. Read full review

Susan Wloszczyna

Director Dominic Sena appears more enamored of peeping-Tom camerawork than plot logic. [03 Sep 1993]

Mick LaSalle

Cmera work can't do anything about the barrenness of the screenplay, nor the sense of fundamental insincerity at the core of the film. [03 Sep 1993]

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User Reviews

Paramilitary400

May 17, 2015

I totally agree with the review that Roger Ebert gave this movie. He rated the movie 5/5 and I couldn't agree more. Brad Pitt gives a flawless performance as a maniac. He and his girlfriend hook up with two others who
don't realize what kind of a person he is. He has no conscience but heI totally agree with the review that Roger Ebert gave this movie. He rated the movie 5/5 and I couldn't agree more. Brad Pitt gives a flawless performance as a maniac. He and his girlfriend hook up with two others who
don't realize what kind of a person he is. He has no conscience but he hides his true personality in order to blend in with everyone else. David Duchovny is also in this movie and all of the actors are first rate in the movie. Brad Pitt didn't receive much praise for this movie but this is one of his best roles. A thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat.… Expand

17 of 19 users found this helpful172

Rcavey92212

Jul 15, 2020

Sadly this awesome little serial killer flick never got the release or the attention it deserved. Starring a sexy David Duchovny of X Files, Michelle Forbes, a hunky and psychotic Brad Pitt and a reliably great Juliette Lewis. It centers on a young couple writing a book about serial killersSadly this awesome little serial killer flick never got the release or the attention it deserved. Starring a sexy David Duchovny of X Files, Michelle Forbes, a hunky and psychotic Brad Pitt and a reliably great Juliette Lewis. It centers on a young couple writing a book about serial killers who decides to travel the country visiting famous murder sites and ends up travel sharing with an actual serial killer and his innocent girlfriend. The movie is stylishly made with gorgeous cinematography and a dread induced atmosphere. It all leads up to an unforgettable conclusion that's both intriguing and disturbing. It's a classic that's criminally underseen.

Budget: $8.5M
Box Office: $2.4M

8.75/10… Expand

7 of 7 users found this helpful70

HurQlez

Jul 25, 2019

A movie about traveling is only watchable because of Brad Pitt's performance.

0 of 7 users found this helpful07

geewah

Jan 26, 2021

A road trip movie that takes a nasty turn.
Not bad, but not memorable either.

0 of 6 users found this helpful06

j30

Feb 13, 2012

Dominic Sena's Kalifornia is entertaining to a point, but by the end of the movie you kind of wish the overacting and ridiculous plot twists would end.

0 of 15 users found this helpful015

FilipeNeto

Mar 14, 2020

Amoral, surreal and brutal.

This film is a somewhat surreal story about a potential writer who decides to write about real crimes and serial killers. For that, he will visit the crime scenes with his photographer girlfriend and a bizarre couple, who they arranged to share expenses: sheAmoral, surreal and brutal.

This film is a somewhat surreal story about a potential writer who decides to write about real crimes and serial killers. For that, he will visit the crime scenes with his photographer girlfriend and a bizarre couple, who they arranged to share expenses: she looks like the dumbest and most needy creature on the planet and he is stupid, unhygienic and gross.

I think the film is a bit anti-climatic in that everything is quite evident and we get a clear idea of how things are going to go. It is obvious that Brad Pitt's character is going to be a murderer. Despite that, seeing Pitt is one of the biggest attractions here. He showed his talent perfectly, erasing his charm and becoming disgusting, repellent, stupid and so cruel that he impresses us. At her side, Juliette Lewis was fantastic in playing a naive, needy young woman with no education and a past of pain and abuse, but who sincerely loves the only man she thinks has treated her well. David Duchovny and Michelle Forbes bring sophisticated and creative characters to life, very different from their fellow travelers, and the interaction that arises between them, as well as the dual relationship of sympathy and disgust, are an essential part of the entire film. At this point, dialogues are essential.

The film is violent, has many graphic scenes and is not suitable for minors. When deciding on a somewhat amoral approach, where we are the ones who judge about the characters' character and attitudes, the film becomes strange for most people, as we are not used to it. A good photograph, good props and scenes, an interesting play of light and shadow and many dialogues make the film tiring for those who want only action and violence, but interesting for those looking for something more profound and even philosophical.… Expand

0 of 7 users found this helpful07

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