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Apt Pupil | Rotten Tomatoes

️Wed Jan 11 2017

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Critics Consensus

A somewhat disturbing movie that works as a suspenseful thriller, yet isn't completely satisfying.

Read Critics Reviews

Globe and Mail Rated: 2/4 Apr 24, 2002 Full Review Susan Stark Detroit News Major junk! Rated: 1/4 Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Jay Carr Boston Globe Apt Pupil is most compelling for its moral dimension. Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Eddie Harrison film-authority.com …a disturbing, thoughtful movie that will provoke debate and discussion; it refuses to put war crimes in a box, and suggests that the motives behind the unforgivable genocides of the past remain latent in modern society… Rated: 4/5 Jan 21, 2025 Full Review Trace Thurman Horror Queers Podcast It lacks the bite of King's novella, but the film adaptation of 'Apt Pupil' skates by on the talents of its two lead actors. Rated: 3/5 Oct 23, 2023 Full Review Joe Lipsett Horror Queers Podcast It's become impossible to separate the art from the artist when it comes to alleged rapist Bryan Singer and this film. From the assaults that purportedly took place during filming to the framing of Brad Renfro's underage body, this is a hard watch Rated: 2.5/5 Oct 19, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Member A decent film that doesn't dare to go where the novella goes. It's clear in King's story that Todd is a very screwed up kid well before he meets Denker. He's probably a burgeoning sociopath, and his interest in holocaust material is largely sadistic. (Especially disturbing because novella Todd is only 13.) This kinship between two psychopaths (although they hate each other, there's a grudging respect) is what makes the story interesting. In the film, Todd just seems very curious, doesn't realise what he's getting into, and ends up warped by Denker's influence. A safer and more commercially palatable choice but way less interesting. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/25/25 Full Review Katy T Ian McKellen is believable in his role and this performance carries the film. An okay movie. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/23/25 Full Review Teddy B King's novella ties the elements of the story together tighter, but for what it is 'Apt Pupil' is an exceedingly disturbing film thanks to the strong writing of its source material. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 12/07/24 Full Review Anton H As disturbing as many of its scenes can be, this one is consistently captivating, and leaves the audience desperate to find out just what will happen next. An excellent and suspenseful thriller. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/08/24 Full Review Audience Member The movie drags a little longer than it should and also the plot does not keep you interested after a while. Nothing to think twice about. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 07/09/24 Full Review Jeffrey P Kinda dated, released over twenty-five years ago and WWII Nazis aren't all that relevant anymore. The dynamic involved, an old Nazi and his relationship with a high school aged boy, is just an odd watch that had no deeper meaning or lesson to be learned. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/25/24 Full Review Read all reviews

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Apt Pupil: Trailer 1 Apt Pupil: Trailer 1 2:25 View more videos

Apt Pupil (1998) Apt Pupil (1998) Apt Pupil (1998) Apt Pupil (1998) View more photos

Synopsis A high-school student (Brad Renfro) forms an unhealthy relationship with a former Nazi death-camp officer (Ian McKellen).

Director

Bryan Singer

Producer

Don Murphy, Bryan Singer

Screenwriter

Stephen King, Brandon Boyce

Distributor

TriStar Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment

Production Co

TriStar Pictures, Bad Hat Harry, Phoenix Pictures, Paramount Pictures

Rating

Genre

Drama

Original Language

English

Release Date (Theaters)

Sep 16, 1998, Original

Release Date (Streaming)

Jan 11, 2017

Box Office (Gross USA)

$8.8M

Runtime

1h 51m

Sound Mix

SDDS, Dolby Digital, Surround

Aspect Ratio

Scope (2.35:1)