Crime,Drama
United States of America
River's Edge is a drama film directed by Tim Hunter and released in 1986. The story is set in a small town in California and follows a group of teenage friends who are grappling with the revelation that one of them is a murderer. The film explores themes of peer pressure, apathy, and nihilism in the context of youthful disillusionment.
The central character of the film is Samson (played by Daniel Roebuck), a disaffected teen who is involved in drugs and petty crime. One day, he takes his girlfriend Jamie (played by Danyi Deats) to a remote spot by the river and strangles her to death. He returns to his friends and boasts about the murder, initially expecting them to be impressed.
However, his friends react in vastly different ways. Some, like Layne (played by Crispin Glover), are drawn to Samson's apparent strength and machismo, while others, like Matt (played by Keanu Reeves), are horrified and confused. Some of the friends try to cover up the murder, while others feel guilt and anguish over their complicity.
As the film progresses, tensions between the friends begin to mount, and the reality of the situation begins to sink in. The police begin investigating the murder, and several of the friends start to fear for their own safety. Meanwhile, Samson becomes increasingly unstable, spiraling into drug addiction and paranoia.
The film's climax involves a confrontation between the friends and Samson, as they try to convince him to turn himself in for the murder. The final scene is ambiguous, leaving the viewer to ponder the true consequences of the events that have transpired.
River's Edge was a critical success upon its release, praised for its gritty realism and unflinching portrayal of teenage violence and nihilism. The film has since become a cult classic, regarded as a seminal work of 80s cinema.
