Romper Stomper

Roadshow Film Distributors | Release Date: October 8, 1992

CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION

61	METASCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 21 Critic Reviews

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Mixed:

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Critic Reviews

Critic score Publication By date

100

Michael Snyder

Romper Stomper is a fist in the face, spiked knuckles tearing flesh, a kick in the groin from hobnailed boots and a riot hose turned on the complacent. [03 Sep 1993, p.C3]

Marc Savlov

It is violent, certainly, but it's also a genuinely excellent film, horrifying and touching and beautiful in a bloody sort of way. A bit like real life, really. Read full review

The GuardianLuke Buckmaster

A young Russell Crowe is spellbinding in this ugly but unforgettable film that remains hard-hitting and shockingly violent more than two decades on. Read full review

Owen Gleiberman

As an expose of the new wave of racist youth-gang violence, Romper Stomper lacks depth, psychology, a sense of social background. Yet Wright’s flagrant attempt to humanize his skinheads-to turn them into bona fide movie characters-is, in its way, dramatic and vaguely honorable. Read full review

Peter Travers

Ron Hagen’s camera work captures the delirium of carnage that drives out rational thought. Ignore the prudes who think you shouldn’t make films about things that scare you. It’s a first line of defense. This Aussie Reservoir Dogs opens up a brutal world that needs to be understood. Read full review

Jay Boyar

Romper Stomper offers an intriguing twist on most chase movies: In this one, you don't want the people who are being pursued to get away. [01 Oct 1993, p.20]

Jeff Shannon

A wildly controversial film that is both achingly unpleasant and gripping in its denouncement of the blindly ignorant racist and fascist mentality. [02 July 1993, p.D22]

Stephen Holden

While enticing you to hate the gang and take delight in everything bad that happens to its members, the film also gives you the vicarious thrill of being one of the gang. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

Crowe is magnificent as Hando, the leader of the gang whose decisions land them all in hot water and Daniel Pollock (who killed himself during post production) is right there with him. It's a tragic, harrowing little film. Read full review

Rene Rodriguez

Wisely, Romper Stomper never preaches or moralizes: The subject matter does that well enough on its own. [03 Dec 1993, p.G4]