Sling Blade

"A simple man. A difficult choice."

Mar 14 1997 R 2h 15m
Drama

Karl Childers, a mentally disabled man, has been in the custody of the state mental hospital since the age of 12 for killing his mother and her lover. Although thoroughly institutionalized, he is deemed fit to be released into the outside world.

Plot

A partially handicapped man named Karl is released from a mental hospital, about 20 years after murdering his mother and another person. Karl is often questioned if he will ever kill again, and he shrugs in response saying there is no reason to. Now out of the mental institution, Karl settles in his old, small hometown, occupying himself by fixing motors. After meeting a young boy named Frank, who befriends him, Karl is invited to stay at Frank's house with his mother Linda, who views Karl as a strange but kind and generous man. However, Linda's abusive boyfriend, Doyle, sees things differently in the way rules ought to be run- normally insulting Linda's homosexual friend Vaughan as well as Karl's disabilities, and having wild parties with his friends. As Karl's relationship with Frank grows, he is watchful of Doyle's cruel actions.

Written by

Billy Bob Thornton

Directed by

Billy Bob Thornton

Production Countries

United States of America

Production Companies

Shooting Gallery, Miramax

Languages

English

Awards

Won 1 Oscar. 14 wins & 15 nominations total

Scores
# of Votes
101,399
Average Rating
8 out of 10
Metascore
85
Popularity
NA