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Cruising
1980 102 min United States of America, Germany R 18+
★6.1
Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Director: William Friedkin
📖 Based on the novel
«Cruising»
byGerald Walker
Trailers
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Teaser
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Description
When New York is caught in the grip of a sadistic serial killer who preys on patrons of the city's underground bars, rookie cop Steve Burns infiltrates the S&M subculture to try and lure him out of the shadows.
Budget:
$11M
US Gross:
$19.8M
Worldwide:
$19.81M
Starring
Al Pacino
Actor
Paul Sorvino
Actor
Karen Allen
Actor
Awards
Razzie Awards 1981
— Worst Screenplay
Razzie Awards 1981
— Worst Picture
Razzie Awards 1981
— Worst Director
Key opinion
William Friedkin's Cruising is a polarizing psychological thriller that gains critical interest for its raw, immersive depiction of 1970s New York subcultures and its disturbing atmosphere. While the film is frequently criticized for its underdeveloped narrative and controversial portrayal of the gay community, Al Pacino's intense performance remains the central point of agreement regarding the film's artistic ambition.
| Acting | Al Pacino delivers a committed, raw performance that serves as the film's most compelling anchor as his character descends into psychological instability. | |
| Production | William Friedkin creates a visceral, dark, and uniquely atmospheric environment that effectively captures the grimy, decadent essence of 1970s NYC. | |
| Ending | The film utilizes an ambiguous, unresolved ending that successfully transitions the story from a standard police procedural into a deeper exploration of human corruption. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay is widely criticized for being underdeveloped and narratively sluggish, failing to provide enough focus to support its ambitious premise. | |
| Culture | The film’s depiction of the gay community is a major point of contention, with some viewing it as an authentic, daring subculture study and others condemning it as homophobic, campy, or exploitative. |