Blood Simple (1985)
Kernel Score: 82% · 1,586 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Released: 1985-01-18
Runtime: 97 minutes
Where to watch Blood Simple
- Stream: HBO Max, Cinemax Apple TV channel
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
The owner of a seedy small-town Texas bar discovers that one of his employees is having an affair with his wife. A chaotic chain of misunderstandings, lies and mischief ensues after he devises a plot to have them murdered.
Blood Simple parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that Blood Simple is a dark neo-noir crime thriller involving murder-for-hire, betrayal, and infidelity.
- Violence & scariness: Strong — Features a murder plot and violent confrontations typical of a hard-edged neo-noir thriller.
- Sex, romance & nudity: Some — Includes an extramarital affair as a central plot element.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Blood Simple
If you liked Blood Simple, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Bound (1996) — 79%
- The Killing (1956) — 86%
- The Getaway (1972) — 79%
- Touch of Evil (1958) — 87%
- Out of the Past (1947) — 85%
- A Wolf at the Door (2013) — 79%
- Europa (1991) — 82%
- The Night Caller (1975) — 79%
Director
Cast
- John Getz as Ray
- Frances McDormand as Abby
- Dan Hedaya as Julian Marty
- Samm-Art Williams as Meurice
- M. Emmet Walsh as Private Detective
- Deborah Neumann as Debra
- Raquel Gavia as Landlady
- Van Brooks as Man from Lubbock
- Señor Marco as Mr. Garcia
- William Creamer as Old Cracker
Blood Simple FAQ
Is Blood Simple good?
Blood Simple has an 82% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 1,586 audience ratings.
Where can I watch Blood Simple?
In the US you can stream Blood Simple on HBO Max and Cinemax Apple TV channel and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Blood Simple OK for kids?
Blood Simple is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Blood Simple is a dark neo-noir crime thriller involving murder-for-hire, betrayal, and infidelity.
What movies are like Blood Simple?
If you liked Blood Simple, try Bound, The Killing, The Getaway and Touch of Evil.