The Accused (1988)
Kernel Score: 78% · 670 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Crime, Drama
Released: 1988-10-14
Runtime: 111 minutes
Where to watch The Accused
- Free with ads: Kanopy, Hoopla
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-22.
Overview
Out drinking one night after a fight with her boyfriend, three men brutally rape Sarah Tobias in a bar while people watch and cheer. District Attorney Kathryn Murphy takes the case; however, she allows the rapists to receive a mild sentence. A distraught Sarah decides to seek punishment for the men who witnessed and encouraged the rape. To get justice, Sarah must take the stand and revisit the night of her attack.
The Accused parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that The Accused is an R-rated drama depicting a brutal gang rape and its aftermath, with intense themes of victim-blaming and injustice.
- Violence & scariness: Intense — Depicts a brutal gang rape scene and its traumatic aftermath in a courtroom drama setting.
- Sex, romance & nudity: Strong — The plot centers on a graphic gang rape and its legal aftermath.
- Drinking, drugs & smoking: Moderate — Drinking and drunkenness at a bar are central to the setup of the assault.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Accused
If you liked The Accused, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Midnight Cowboy (1969) — 85%
- Mysterious Skin (2005) — 85%
- The Departed (2006) — 96%
- Boys Don't Cry (1999) — 84%
- Cleveland Abduction (2015) — 80%
- Straw Dogs (1971) — 81%
- Stuart: A Life Backwards (2007) — 83%
Director
Jonathan Kaplan
Cast
- Jodie Foster as Sarah Tobias
- Kelly McGillis as Kathryn Murphy
- Bernie Coulson as Ken Joyce
- Leo Rossi as Cliff 'Scorpion' Albrect
- Ann Hearn as Sally Fraser
- Carmen Argenziano as D.A. Paul Rudolph
- Steve Antin as Bob Joiner
- Tom O'Brien as Larry
- Peter Van Norden as Attorney Paulsen
- Terry David Mulligan as Lieutenant Duncan
The Accused FAQ
Is The Accused good?
The Accused has a 78% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 670 audience ratings.
Where can I watch The Accused?
In the US you can watch it free with ads on Kanopy and Hoopla and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is The Accused OK for kids?
The Accused is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that The Accused is an R-rated drama depicting a brutal gang rape and its aftermath, with intense themes of victim-blaming and injustice.
What movies are like The Accused?
If you liked The Accused, try Midnight Cowboy, Mysterious Skin, The Departed and Boys Don't Cry.