Sleight (2017): Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Sleight is a 2017 action thriller directed by J.D. Dillard. It runs 1 hour 29 minutes and earned $4 million worldwide on a $250,000 budget. Critics gave it 62 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 29m (89 min)
- Director
- J.D. Dillard
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- BH Tilt
- Budget
- $250K
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Sleight About?
The premise of Sleight without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A gifted young magician's life is upended when he's diagnosed with a debilitating neurological disorder. Facing a grim prognosis, he struggles to maintain hope and searches for a way to reclaim some happiness while confronting the loss of his abilities and the future he once envisioned. His journey is one of resilience and a fight to find meaning in the face of adversity.
The Director of Sleight
Directed by J.D. Dillard.
- Director J.D. Dillard
More from J.D. Dillard
More films directed by J.D. Dillard, best-rated first: Sweetheart and Devotion.
Sleight Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Sleight 62 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 70/100, strongest in art & craft (75) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).
Sleight Echo Score Breakdown
The film delivers a resourceful blend of genre elements but is hindered by familiar narrative beats. Though its modest budget is offset by confident direction and striking visual moments, the script relies on conventional setups and occasional clichés. Performances provide emotional grounding, yet the pacing and plot twists can feel uneven. Overall, Sleight balances inventive craft with narrative limitations to yield a moderately engaging experience.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 75
In terms of art and craft, the film exhibits a measured visual style enhanced by its economical budget. The cinematography employs an understated color palette and thoughtful framing, while the editing maintains clarity through concise sequences. Production design leverages minimal resources to create credible environments. These elements coalesce into a coherent aesthetic that feels polished despite fiscal constraints.
- Character & Emotion 70
When considering character and emotion, performances deliver consistent depth despite occasional familiarity. The lead portrayal offers subtle shifts in motivation that anchor the film, and supporting roles provide believable interaction and chemistry. Emotional stakes are heightened during family-centered moments, lending sincerity to the protagonist’s journey. Together, these factors create sufficient character engagement even when arcs follow predictable patterns.
- Story & Flow 60
In terms of story and flow, the narrative offers a clear origin framework but often adheres to genre conventions. Pacing shifts between measured drama and abrupt escalations, and certain plot developments feel foreseeable or underdeveloped. The short runtime amplifies these transitions, leading to an occasional sense of incompleteness. Ultimately, the storyline provides modest engagement with uneven originality and impact.
- Sensory Experience 70
When evaluating the sensory experience, the film presents a restrained yet coherent audiovisual palette. The score and sound design favor subtlety, supporting the on-screen tension without overpowering it. Visual effects of the illusions remain clear and effective, and lighting choices establish an intimate atmosphere. Collectively, these elements yield a focused sensory presentation that complements the film’s grounded tone.
- Rewatch Factor 60
For rewatch factor, the film offers moments of technical ingenuity and character nuance that may reward repeated viewings. The practical illusion sequences retain their intrigue, and the subtleties in performance can reveal additional emotional layers. However, the familiarity of the plot structure and limited narrative surprises reduce the incentive for many viewers. As a result, the overall replay value is moderate rather than exceptional.
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Metacritic 62 Metascore
User score 5.3
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 54% User score
See on TMDB -
Movie Insider 3.8 /5
See on Movie Insider
Sleight Plot Summary
What happens in Sleight from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Following the heartbreaking demise of their parents, Bo Wolfe, a gifted young street magician, takes on the monumental responsibility of caring for his inquisitive little sister, Tina. As he maneuvers through the perilous streets of Los Angeles, Bo resorts to illegal activities to ensure they have a roof over their heads, utilizing his exceptional magical talents to aid his new endeavors.
By day, Bo mesmerizes crowds with his astounding ability to manipulate metal objects, effortlessly levitating them in mid-air. This remarkable feat is made possible through the innovative electromagnet he has ingeniously integrated into his arm, a creation stemming from a high school science project that once earned him an engineering scholarship—a scholarship he ultimately sacrificed to care for Tina following their mother’s tragic passing.
Full summary
The whole story of Sleight, scene by scene
Sleight Box Office & Budget
Sleight grossed $4 million worldwide on a $250,000 budget, 16 times what it cost. $4 million came from the US and Canada and $3,460 (0%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$4M
16× its budget
- US & Canada
- $4M
- International
- $3.5K
- Budget
- $250K
Sleight Trailers & Videos
5 videos: 2 trailers, 1 teaser and 2 clips.
- Trailer Official Trailer 2
- Teaser TV Spot
- Clip Window
- Clip No String
How Well Do You Know Sleight?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What tragic event leads Bo Wolfe to care for his sister Tina?
Cars in Sleight
14 cars on screen, including the 1998 Honda Accord and the 2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.
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1998 Honda Accord Main role -
2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Important role -
1998 Ford Crown Victoria Minor role -
2004 Acura MDX Background role
Seen Sleight?
Sleight FAQ: Box Office, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Sleight, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Sleight?
Sleight runs 1 hour 29 minutes (89 minutes).
When was Sleight released?
Sleight was released on April 28, 2017.
Who directed Sleight?
Sleight was directed by J.D. Dillard.
More films by J.D. Dillard How much did Sleight make at the box office?
Sleight grossed $4 million worldwide ($4 million domestic, $3,460 international) on a budget of $250,000.
How is Sleight rated?
Sleight has 62 on Metacritic, 54% on TMDB and 3.8/5 on Movie Insider.
Does Sleight have a post-credit scene?
No. Sleight has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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