Bad Lieutenant (1992)
Kernel Score: 78% · 940 ratings · Rated NC-17
Genres: Crime, Drama
Released: 1992-11-20
Runtime: 96 minutes
Where to watch Bad Lieutenant
- Stream: The Criterion Channel
- Free with ads: Kanopy, Hoopla, The Roku Channel, Prime Video (free with ads), Tubi
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
While investigating a young nun's rape, a corrupt New York City police detective, with a serious drug and gambling addiction, tries to change his ways and find forgiveness.
Bad Lieutenant parents' guide: ages 16+
Parents need to know that Bad Lieutenant is an NC-17 crime drama about a corrupt, drug-addicted police detective investigating a nun's rape.
- Violence & scariness: Strong — Involves a violent rape investigation and police corruption, reflected in its NC-17 rating.
- Sex, romance & nudity: Intense — Keywords include rape and masturbation, consistent with the NC-17 rating for sexual content.
- Drinking, drugs & smoking: Intense — The lead character struggles with severe drug addiction (heroin) and gambling, central to the NC-17-rated plot.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official NC-17 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Bad Lieutenant
If you liked Bad Lieutenant, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Training Day (2001) — 83%
- Toxic Love (1983) — 81%
- Memories of Murder (2003) — 89%
- Gone Baby Gone (2007) — 82%
- Violent Cop (1989) — 80%
- The Secret in Their Eyes (2009) — 88%
- Veteran (2015) — 76%
Director
Abel Ferrara
Cast
- Harvey Keitel as LT
- Brian McElroy as LT's Son #1
- Frankie Acciarito as LT's Son #2
- Peggy Gormley as LT's Wife
- Stella Keitel as LT's Daughter
- Dana Dee as LT's Baby Girl
- Victor Argo as Bet Cop
- Paul Calderon as Cop #1
- Leonard L. Thomas as Cop #2
- Anthony Ruggiero as Lite
Bad Lieutenant FAQ
Is Bad Lieutenant good?
Bad Lieutenant has a 78% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 940 audience ratings.
Where can I watch Bad Lieutenant?
In the US you can stream Bad Lieutenant on The Criterion Channel, watch it free with ads on Kanopy, Hoopla, The Roku Channel, Prime Video (free with ads) and Tubi and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Bad Lieutenant OK for kids?
Bad Lieutenant is rated NC-17. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 16+. Parents need to know that Bad Lieutenant is an NC-17 crime drama about a corrupt, drug-addicted police detective investigating a nun's rape.
What movies are like Bad Lieutenant?
If you liked Bad Lieutenant, try Training Day, Toxic Love, Memories of Murder and Gone Baby Gone.