American History X poster
Review

American History X 1998

Directed by Tony Kaye · 119 mins · 1,650 views

4.1 Letterboxd 4.17(976,300)
Ratings C T J J J E V C J S

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.

Trailers

Reviews (56)

  1. C
    cinemasauron 8 月 26, 2026

    Provocative filmmaking at its most volatile, American History X is a brutally honest, hard-hitting, thoroughly unsettling, fiercely violent & absolutely devastating but crucial look at the dangerously destructive nature of racism and tells the story of a former neo-nazi skinhead who tries to prevent his younger brother from going down the same wrong path he did years ago. Tony Kaye’s direction & David McKenna’s screenplay is mercilessly brutal & uncompromising with its content. Cinematography is sharp and deftly switches from present timeline to flashbacks. Editing expertly balances the two timelines and fiercely paces the plot. And Anne Dudley’s music helps keep the intensity alive. However, the most impressive contribution comes from the strong, blistering & career-best performances from both Edward Norton & Edward Furlong. Beginning…

    1,398 8
  2. T
    theyo theyo 8 月 26, 2026

    i can’t get that fucking curb stomp scene out of my head wtf was that

    1,571 14
  3. J
    john 8 月 26, 2026

    thinking of all the actual white supremacist who definitely jerk off to certain scenes of this movie actually makes me want to vomit

    2,108 3
  4. J
    Jacob Klemmer 8 月 26, 2026

    not interested in the shenanigans in the editing room: there is absolutely 0 chance that a non-shit film could’ve been made from this material. for the vast majority of the runtime, it allows the nazi protagonist to spew his hatred in dramatic close-ups uninterrupted and unrebutted, taking it as a given that the audience disagrees with his screeds against illegal immigration and Rodney King as if 30-40% of the USA doesn’t completely agree with everything he says. then, when depicting white supremacy in action, it uses every editing trick, dramatic camera angle, and musical cue in the book to highlight the brutality in such a way that the nazis in the audience probably approve of the portrayal (i almost vomited…

    1,557 62
  5. J
    Josh Lewis 8 月 26, 2026

    Tony Kaye coming up with the idea to shoot the past racist stuff in black & white.

    1,763 2
  6. E
    eli thee skull 8 月 26, 2026

    ive always been curious to watch this movie since a lot of channers love quoting it as their redpill, but im baffled that theres actually anyone who would take this as an antifascist text? this is literal, irredeemable nazi propaganda, straight up. i say w all due seriousness that i did not find a single relatable aspect in this movie whatsoever. as a black person am i supposed to sympathize w a literal neonazi who was locked up for killing black teenagers? with a korean man used for a reverse racism subplot? with black ppl being violently killed onscreen? the basketball scene was downright repulsive. so truly, why was this made? and for who? i love how white ppl get…

    5,720 23
  7. V

    A masterpiece. Hate is baggage. Life’s too short to be pissed off all the time. It’s just not worth it. One of the most powerful movies. Edward Norton’s best performance.

    4,094 15
  8. C
    cinéfila... 🕯️ 8 月 26, 2026

    hard to believe edward norton doesn’t have a single oscar. once again i challenge the entire academy to meet me in the fucking pit

    7,283 19
  9. J
    Jack Moulton 8 月 26, 2026

    You can’t just spew racist rhetoric for the majority of the film then turn around and call it “bullshit” and say you have an anti-racist movie. It does not do nearly enough work to undo the damage it creates. Maybe it’s well-acted, though I’m definitely less excited about the performances now, but it’s definitely not well-made or conceived. This is irresponsible. I haven’t seen the film in about 13 years when it used to be in my all-time top 30. That kind of turns my stomach now, even though I know I was mostly emulating IMDb’s own top list.

    1,342 11
  10. S
    shaneya 8 月 26, 2026

    white people be crazy

    2,775 5
  11. M
    MovieFella_ 8 月 26, 2026

    “Has any of your hate made your life better? “

    1,194 3
  12. L
    Luca 8 月 26, 2026

    A lot of people have a problem with this movie making “reasonable” arguments for racism through Derek while he is transitioning into a neo-nazi. I think the problem is that American neoliberals and neoconservatives routinely make these exact arguments. If you think that these arguments are “too reasonable” maybe the problem isn’t with the movie. Maybe the problem is that you don’t like seeing beliefs that fit well within the realm of your discourse being spoken by a neo-nazi. Maybe the problem is with American culture and the normalization of racism, not with the movie that calls it.

    1,939 17
  13. A
    archie bin jonezin 8 月 26, 2026

    Didn’t expect John Connor to turn out to be a neo-nazi skin head… Norton is insane in this. the curb stomping scene took me out 😣

  14. M
    Mert_8500 8 月 26, 2026

    Hate is nonsense

    1
  15. V
    Vitin 8 月 26, 2026

    Sinceramente… Um dos filmes mais difíceis que já vi, por tudo. Porém extremamente necessário, e é bizarro pensar falar AINDA nos dias de hoje, 2026… Passei o filme todo me perguntando o porquê de “a outra história americana” é bom.. no final eu infelizmente descobri. Filmaço, difícil, mas necessário!

  16. A
    amjad_d 8 月 26, 2026

    two hours that I’m never getting back

  17. S
    shiiiiiiiin 8 月 26, 2026

    “teeth on the curb” ouuu pull the trigger 👀👀👀

  18. M
    Morad 8 月 26, 2026

    Fortissimo edward, diciamo che per la prima 40ina di minuti ho sviluppato un odio alla ciapalì, però po mi ha preso tanto specialmente sul finale.

    1
  19. D
    diooo1 8 月 26, 2026

    Teaches you a lot of things. Absolutely Love this movie

  20. S
    squillaaa 8 月 25, 2026

    So beautifully well done – I feel bad for the people that don’t understand this film.

  21. L
    leilou_cr 8 月 25, 2026

    “y’a que les cons qui changent pas d’avis”

  22. S
    Salvador Castellanos 8 月 25, 2026

    Realmente buena.

    1
  23. M
    MacNichols 8 月 25, 2026

    A powerful movie with complicated political implications. Its portrayal of white supremacy ideology felt real and unsatirical – which comes with all the risk of dramatizing dangerous ideas – but i dont think this should be read as endorsement, as much as a push to compel self reflection in closeted racists that see too much of themselves in derek and his father. That said, despite all the air time given to flimsy racist claims, the film never took space to…

  24. A
    Andrew Koman 8 月 25, 2026

    Stacey dropped the hardest R’s I’ve ever heard in my life damn this movie was weird

  25. J
    judedaughter 8 月 25, 2026

    Esse filme me emocionou de muitas maneiras. Trata-se de um assunto pouco discutido e ignorado por pessoas de diversas opiniões políticas diferentes, um assunto que se trabalhado, pode salvar vidas, assim como teria acontecido se tivessem resolvido isso no filme antes. Achei muito bom a mistura de passado e presente alternados nos momentos certos, e o final para mim foi incrível. Perdeu meio ponto por ser apressado demais, se fosse uma minissérie seria perfeito. Queria mais cuidado e detalhamento em relação as principais motivações dos personagens, desistência e mais desenvolvimento das histórias pessoais. Mas a obra total é muito necessária e foi feita graciosamente bem.

  26. H
    harpergoodman 8 月 25, 2026

    so hard to watch at times. letting the hatred of the past live in black and white made the contrast even more powerful.

  27. N
    noahnew2000 8 月 25, 2026

    Racism bad, what can I say

  28. A
    alonsintomatin 8 月 25, 2026

    no puedes dejarme ese final

  29. B
    brunito68 8 月 25, 2026

    Edward Norton se saco la polla, también tremendo final que se manda la película.

  30. J
    Joinercito 8 月 25, 2026

    Por muy rápido q corras tus errores siempre te alcanzan El final sin duda es muy pero muy agridulce pero más agrio q dulce

  31. N
    Noah 8 月 25, 2026

    “Hate is baggage, life’s too short to be pissed off all the time.” There is no greater punishment than regret. Having to live with your mistakes, and legacy of wrongdoings that consumes everything around you. To forever be haunted by the evil you were possessed by, and watch that same sin take others because of you. To know you preached hatred, and championed the passions that destroy humanity. Watching your loved ones follow your footsteps because you taught them how…

  32. N
    Nunessssss 8 月 25, 2026

    Puta que pariu que filme bom

  33. L
    Leech1911 8 月 25, 2026

    Nazismo não é legal. 👍

  34. A
    Alejoocb 8 月 25, 2026

    OBRA MAESTRA Acabo de terminar la pelicula, y me quedan conclusiones incompletas pero no como si a la pelicula le faltase un cierre, es un mensaje muy confuso con varios giros que te dejan una duda porque la pelicula no solo habla de racismo si no de como el odio se convierte en un ideal general que se transforma en la identidad de una persona y como con el trayecto vemos que el el personaje oculta el odio que carga…

  35. 🐈
    🐈‍⬛ ྀི Z 8 月 25, 2026

    en qué momento analizar la raíz de sus actitudes se convierte en glorificarlas? existe la redención para una persona así de podrida por dentro? mira lo que le hace a alguien con un pensamiento de mierda cuando lo groomean para nutrir ese odio, a lo que llega. todo para que después de dar hasta su libertad por ellos, lo traicionen. la mayoría de los adolescentes está peligrosamente cerca de terminar así con lo normalizado que está ser una mala persona.…

    1
  36. L
    leonardo moreira 8 月 25, 2026

    puta merda bizarro mas pqp bizarro derek cuzao

  37. S
    san 8 月 25, 2026

    hate’s baggage

  38. M
    M1lt0n 8 月 25, 2026

    Masterpiece

  39. F
    Fer 8 月 25, 2026

    No me lo esperaba🙁

  40. C
    Cam 8 月 25, 2026

    Fucking hell

    1
  41. A
    Adam 8 月 25, 2026

    Norton is good but the movie is less impressive than I thought it would be. I’m not really sure what the ending is getting at

    1
  42. T
    Torres__ 8 月 25, 2026

    “O odio é um peso. A vida é muito curta para viver indignada o tempo todo. Não vale a pena.“

  43. S
    saimon3012 8 月 25, 2026

    Pedazo de película, tremenda actuación de edward norton al como se mete en el personaje, tiene un tremendo plost twist.

  44. I
    ianto11 8 月 25, 2026

    Never again

  45. E
    epuno 8 月 25, 2026

    I like the curb stomping scene.

  46. I
    idkew1ll 8 月 25, 2026

    Trump viu esse filme e fez tudo ao contrário

  47. E
    espe116 8 月 25, 2026

    Non mais Svp,La scène avec le trottoir en béton… horrible. Edward Norton est impressionnant. Dans le top 3 de mes acteurs préférés.

  48. I
    Igor_Assis 8 月 25, 2026

    a redenção e o castigo de um homem. o ódio não vale a pena. o filme mais chocante e longo que já vi. cada cena era um filme. uma terrível obra prima. o sangue não vale a pena.

  49. M
    mackbrown15 8 月 25, 2026

    I’m speechless

    2
  50. O
    Oohhlivia 8 月 25, 2026

    Crazy how so many conversations happen in this film that feel like they came from 2026.

  51. S
    squ1nty 8 月 25, 2026

    4/5

  52. T
    tefi verdugo 8 月 25, 2026

    nasheee mal

  53. B
    burg3rd3ath 8 月 23, 2026

    I feel like this movie was good but I also did not enjoy watching this at all

  54. L
    leti 8 月 23, 2026

    dont think it is as anti nazis as it wants to be. all the black characters are there to help redeem the nazis….. so yeah not very good. the stars are for the acting and the use of black and white

  55. N
    Nounou98 4 月 7, 2026

    Un film de dingue avec un sujet plus qu’actuel ce qui est d’autant plus effrayant. Devons-nous croire en l’humanité et la rédemption ? Je mise sur le « on est foutu »

  56. J
    Juliette 5 月 10, 2025

    On vit dans une saucisse fasciste

Write a Review

My rating

E Edward Norton Derek
E Edward Furlong Danny
B Beverly D'Angelo Doris
J Jennifer Lien Davina
E Ethan Suplee Seth
F Fairuza Balk Stacey
A Avery Brooks Sweeney
E Elliott Gould Murray
S Stacy Keach Cameron
W William Russ Dennis
G Guy Torry Lamont
J Joe Cortese Rasmussen
J Jason Bose Smith Little Henry
A Antonio David Lyons Lawrence
A Alex Sol Mitch McCormick
K Keram Malicki-Sánchez Chris
G Giuseppe Andrews Jason
M Michelle Christine White Lizzy
J Jonathan Fowler Jr. Jerome
C Christopher Masterson Daryl Dawson
Director Tony Kaye
Writer David McKenna
Producer John Morrissey, David McKenna, Jon Hess
Executive Producer Lawrence Turman, Brian Witten, Michael De Luca, Bill Carraro, Kearie Peak, Steve Tisch
Editor Alan Heim, Gerald B. Greenberg
Original Music Anne Dudley
Sound Roland N. Thai, Frederick Howard, Roger Dudley, Joe Barnett, Craig Jurkiewicz, Steve R. Nelson, Ossama Khuluki, David Mann, Diane Marshall, Mary Erstad, William Smith, John Ross, David Lee Fein, Yuri Reese
Special Effects Charles Belardinelli
Stunts Paul E. Short, Eugene Collier, Charles Belardinelli, Ernie F. Orsatti, Jimmy Ortega, Merritt Yohnka, Denney Pierce, Noon Orsatti, Courtney Pakiz
Art Direction Dan Olexiewicz, J. Kyler Black
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.
Director
Tony Kaye
Writer
David McKenna
Studio
New Line Cinema, Savoy Pictures, The Turman-Morrissey Company
Country
USA
Language
English
Year
1998
Runtime
119 mins

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