Road to Perdition (2002)
Kernel Score: 84% · 3,912 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Released: 2002-07-12
Runtime: 117 minutes
Is Road to Perdition worth watching?
Worth watching. A hitman and his young son go on the run from the mob in 1930s America. It's handsomely shot and well acted, especially by Paul Newman, though it's slow and quite cold.
Watch it if you
- like moody period gangster dramas
- enjoy father-and-son stories
- want beautiful cinematography
Skip it if you
- want a fast gangster movie
- dislike slow, grave films
Best for: Quiet crime night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Road to Perdition
- Free with ads: Kanopy, Hoopla
- Rent: JustWatch TV Free, Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
Mike Sullivan works as a hit man for crime boss John Rooney. Sullivan views Rooney as a father figure, however after his son is witness to a killing, Mike Sullivan finds himself on the run in attempt to save the life of his son and at the same time looking for revenge on those who wronged him.
Road to Perdition parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that Road to Perdition is a gangster revenge drama involving hitmen, a child witnessing a killing, and organized crime violence.
- Violence & scariness: Strong — Mob hits, gun violence, and revenge killings drive the plot, including a child witnessing a murder.
- Language: Some — Some period-appropriate profanity typical of an R-rated crime drama.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Road to Perdition
If you liked Road to Perdition, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- The Untouchables (1987) — 87%: Prohibition-era crime story with a tough hero
- The Irishman (2019) — 86%: Late-life crime epic about loyalty and cost
- The Departed (2006) — 96%: Crime saga of loyalty and betrayal
- Lawless (2012) — 80%: Brothers in the Prohibition-era underworld
- Revolutionary Road (2008) — 79%: Same director's study of a troubled marriage
- 1917 (2019) — 92%: Same director's visually daring period drama
Director
Cast
- Tom Hanks as Michael Sullivan
- Paul Newman as John Rooney
- Jude Law as Harlen Maguire
- Tyler Hoechlin as Michael Sullivan, Jr.
- Daniel Craig as Connor Rooney
- Stanley Tucci as Frank Nitti
- Jennifer Jason Leigh as Annie Sullivan
- Liam Aiken as Peter Sullivan
- Dylan Baker as Alexander Rance
- Ciarán Hinds as Finn McGovern
Road to Perdition FAQ
Is Road to Perdition worth watching?
Worth watching. A hitman and his young son go on the run from the mob in 1930s America. It's handsomely shot and well acted, especially by Paul Newman, though it's slow and quite cold.
Where can I watch Road to Perdition?
In the US you can watch it free with ads on Kanopy and Hoopla and rent it from JustWatch TV Free, Prime Video, Apple TV and Google Play.
Is Road to Perdition OK for kids?
Road to Perdition is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Road to Perdition is a gangster revenge drama involving hitmen, a child witnessing a killing, and organized crime violence.
What movies are like Road to Perdition?
If you liked Road to Perdition, try The Untouchables, The Irishman, The Departed and Lawless.