SummaryAn emotionally shattering drama about a man (Nolte) who has taken several wrong turns in his life and who now finds himself on a collision course with his own destiny. (Lions Gate Films)
Directed By:Paul Schrader
Written By:Russell Banks, Paul Schrader
Affliction
Metascore
Generally Favorable
79
User score
Generally Favorable
7.0
My Score
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Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
83% Positive
29 Reviews
29 Reviews
14% Mixed
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
3% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
100
Succeeds in finding something larger than one man's misery. It turns dark truthfulness into the cinematic sentiment most worth celebrating this season.
100
Nolte and Coburn are magnificent in this film, which is like an expiation or amends for abusive men. It is revealing to watch them in their scenes together--to see how they're able to use physical presence to sketch the history of a relationship.
90
As chilly a spectacle as you're likely to see. It's like watching a comeback in an empty stadium.
88
Affliction is for anyone willing to take the journey into the heart and soul of a troubled man on the edge.
75
Schrader seems to understand these characters implicitly, and the result is probably the best film he has directed.
63
James Coburn plays father in what may be the best performance of his career. [30 December 1998, Life, p.3D]
30
An affectless piece of moviemaking.
User score
Generally Favorable
71% Positive
17 Ratings
17 Ratings
25% Mixed
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
4% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
Jan 2, 2018
9
Fascinating study of familial decay, with hauntingly tragic and all-to-familiar dynamics that lead to a stunning conclusion. The performances could not have been better and James Coburn turns in one of the finest ever committed to film. Tennessee Williams meets James **** in the frozen north.
Aug 11, 2025
8
The movie is excellent. Dark, heavy, and powerful. The movie is slow, but the depth of the characters makes up for it.
Production Company:
- JVC Entertainment Networks
- Kingsgate Films
- Largo Entertainment
Release Date:Dec 30, 1998
Duration:1 h 54 m
Rating:R
Tagline:Wade Whitehouse is frightened to death of following in his father's footsteps.
Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations
Golden Globes, USA
• 1 Nomination
Film Independent Spirit Awards
• 6 Nominations
