American History X

4.14
    American History X
    1998

    Synopsis

    Derek Vineyard is paroled after serving 3 years in prison for killing two African-American men. Through his brother, Danny Vineyard's narration, we learn that before going to prison, Derek was a skinhead and the leader of a violent white supremacist gang that committed acts of racial crime throughout L.A. and his actions greatly influenced Danny. Reformed and fresh out of prison, Derek severs contact with the gang and becomes determined to keep Danny from going down the same violent path as he did.

    Your Movie Library

    Cast

    • Edward NortonDerek
    • Edward FurlongDanny
    • Beverly D'AngeloDoris
    • Jennifer LienDavina
    • Ethan SupleeSeth
    • Fairuza BalkStacey
    • Avery BrooksSweeney
    • Elliott GouldMurray
    • Stacy KeachCameron
    • William RussDennis

    Recommendations

    • 91

      Portland Oregonian

      Feels as true as a documentary, as painful as a blow to the heart.
    • 80

      Variety

      Jolting, superbly acted film.
    • 80

      Film.com

      A true achievement -- no matter who eventually wants to take, or deny, credit for its creation.
    • 80

      The New York Times

      An inflated yet gut-slugging film.
    • 75

      USA Today

      While this movie is sometimes overbaked, it is the first major studio release in a while to engross wall-to-wall.
    • 70

      Chicago Reader

      The movie can't explain as much as it wants to about what makes (and unmakes) a skinhead, but it carries us a fair distance.
    • 70

      Washington Post

      Trenchant and visceral, American History X may not be perfect, but it's a darn sight better than good.
    • 50

      Los Angeles Times

      For all its surface verisimilitude and for all its focus on a problem that couldn't be more current, this film can't manage to feel more than sporadically real.

    Loved by

    Seen by