Sling Blade (1996): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Sling Blade is a 1996 drama starring Billy Bob Thornton and Dwight Yoakam. It runs 2 hours 15 minutes and earned $24.4 million worldwide on a $1 million budget. It won 1 Oscar, including Writing (Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published), and 2 awards in all. Critics gave it 85 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.0/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 15m (135 min)
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Miramax Films
- Budget
- $1M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Sling Blade About?
The premise of Sling Blade without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Having spent 25 years in an institution, Karl returns to his rural hometown, seeking a quiet life. He develops a tender connection with a young boy and his struggling mother. However, the arrival of the boy's abusive father threatens their fragile peace, forcing Karl to confront a dangerous situation and protect the family he has come to care for, with profound and lasting repercussions.
Sling Blade Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- small town
- father figure
- friendship
- mental retardation
- arkansas
- based on play
- independent film
- title spoken by character
- bully
- dark past
- dysfunctional family
- affection
+38 more Show fewer
- stabbed to death
- monologue
- domestic violence
- psychiatric hospital
- homosexual
- neo noir
- sociopath
- autism
- mother son relationship
- redneck
- homophobia
- southern gothic
- 1990s
- anger
- psychopath
- rubbing one's hands together
- bipolar disorder
- goodness
- infanticide
- reference to the bible
- telling a joke
- temper
- book
- french fries
- sadness
- dinner
- mechanic
- murder
- written and directed by cast member
- drunkenness
- cult film
- lawnmower
- physical abuse
- father son relationship
- death threat
- based on short film
- reporter
- baptism
Sling Blade Cast
Billy Bob Thornton leads the cast, with Dwight Yoakam.
Sling Blade Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Sling Blade 85 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.0/10.
-
IMDb 8.0 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 85 Metascore
User score 7.9
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 75% User score
See on TMDB
Sling Blade Plot Summary
What happens in Sling Blade 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
The film begins in an asylum where Charles (J.T. Walsh) engages in a conversation with Karl (Billy Bob Thornton), discussing topics like cars and women. Soon, two student reporters, Marsha (Sarah Boss) and Theresa (Kathy Sue Brown), arrive to interview Karl, who is notorious for committing murder and is preparing for his upcoming release. They meet Jerry (James Hampton), the warden, who cautions them that Karl is quite sensitive about having his photo taken. The interview unfolds in dim lighting, with Karl barely speaking above a whisper, sharing his traumatic past.
Full summary
The whole story of Sling Blade, scene by scene
Sling Blade Box Office & Budget
Sling Blade grossed $24.4 million worldwide on a $1 million budget, 24 times what it cost.
Worldwide gross
$24.4M
24× its budget
- US & Canada
- $24.4M
- Budget
- $1M
Sling Blade Awards & Nominations
Sling Blade won 1 Oscar, including Writing (Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published), and 2 awards in all. Its biggest night was the Oscars 1997, with 1 win from 2 nominations.
2 wins5 nominations3 ceremonies
-
Oscars 1997 1 win · 2 nominations- Won Writing (Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published)
- Nominated Actor in a Leading Role – Billy Bob Thornton
-
Spirit Awards 1997 1 win · 1 nomination- Won Best First Feature
-
Actor Awards (SAG) 1997 2 nominations- Nominated Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
- Nominated Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role – Billy Bob Thornton
Sling Blade Trailers & Videos
7 videos: 1 trailer, 5 clips and 1 featurette.
- Clip '$25'
- Clip 'Bags Full of Warsh'
- Clip 'Checking In'
- Clip 'I'm Proud of You'
How Well Do You Know Sling Blade?
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 is the name of the character played by Billy Bob Thornton?
Cars in Sling Blade
7 cars on screen, including the 1994 Chevrolet K-3500 and the 1986 Chevrolet Caprice.
-
1994 Chevrolet K-3500 Important role -
1986 Chevrolet Caprice Minor role -
1992 Chevrolet Caprice Minor role -
1983 Chevrolet Citation Minor role
Sling Blade Also Known As
24 alternative titles, including “Resplandor en la noche” and “Sling Blade - Auf Messers Schneide”.
- Also known as
-
- Resplandor en la noche
- Sling Blade - Auf Messers Schneide
- 弹簧刀
- Lama tagliente
- O Arremesso
- El otro lado de la vida
- Bıçak Sırtı
- Pengeélen
- Κοφτερό Λεπίδι
- לולאת להב
- Smrtící bumerang
- Blizny przeszłości
+12 more Show fewer
- 슬링 블레이드
- Na Corda Bamba
- Отточенное лезвие
- Бръсначът
- La justice au coeur
- L’altre costat de la vida
- Skustuvo ašmenys
- Sečivo
- Rezilo
- Відточене лезо
- スリング・ブレイド
- 彈簧刀
Seen Sling Blade?
Movies Like Sling Blade
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Dead Man's Shoes, Shotgun Stories and Skeet.
Sling Blade FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Sling Blade, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Sling Blade?
Sling Blade runs 2 hours 15 minutes (135 minutes).
When was Sling Blade released?
Sling Blade was released on November 27, 1996.
Who is in the cast of Sling Blade?
Sling Blade stars Billy Bob Thornton and Dwight Yoakam.
How much did Sling Blade make at the box office?
Sling Blade grossed $24.4 million worldwide on a budget of $1 million.
How is Sling Blade rated?
Sling Blade has 8.0/10 on IMDb, 85 on Metacritic and 75% on TMDB.
What awards did Sling Blade win?
Sling Blade won 2 awards from 5 nominations, including Writing (Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published) at the Oscars 1997.
Does Sling Blade have a post-credit scene?
No. Sling Blade has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
