The Imposter (2012)
Kernel Score: 81% · 781 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Documentary, Mystery, Crime
Released: 2012-07-13
Runtime: 99 minutes
Where to watch The Imposter
- Stream: Prime Video, Philo
- Free with ads: Kanopy, Fawesome, The Roku Channel, Pluto TV, Shout! Factory TV
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
In 1994 a 13-year-old boy disappeared without a trace from his home in San Antonio, Texas. Three-and-a-half years later he is found alive thousands of miles away in a village in southern Spain with a horrifying story of kidnap and torture. His family is overjoyed to bring him home. But all is not quite as it seems.
The Imposter parents' guide: ages 13+
Parents need to know that The Imposter is a true-crime documentary about a child kidnapping and identity theft case with disturbing themes.
- Violence & scariness: Some — Discusses a real kidnapping, alleged torture, and family trauma, though as a documentary it is largely verbal recounting rather than graphic depiction.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Imposter
If you liked The Imposter, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Girl in the Picture (2022) — 79%
- Changeling (2008) — 85%
- Marshland (2014) — 78%
- Capturing the Friedmans (2003) — 78%
- American Murder: The Family Next Door (2020) — 80%
- Laura (1944) — 86%
- The Killer (2022) — 86%
- The Vanishing (1988) — 84%
Director
Bart Layton
Cast
- Frédéric Bourdin as Self
- Adam O'Brian as Frédéric Bourdin
- Anna Ruben as Carey Gibson
- Cathy Dresbach as Nancy Fisher
- Alan Teichman as Charlie Parker
- Iván Villanueva as Social Worker
- María Jesús Hoyos as Judge
- Ken Appledorn as Vice Consul
- Mary Twala as Granny
- Seipati Motshwane as Rethabile
The Imposter FAQ
Is The Imposter good?
The Imposter has an 81% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 781 audience ratings.
Where can I watch The Imposter?
In the US you can stream The Imposter on Prime Video and Philo, watch it free with ads on Kanopy, Fawesome, The Roku Channel, Pluto TV and Shout! Factory TV and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is The Imposter OK for kids?
The Imposter is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 13+. Parents need to know that The Imposter is a true-crime documentary about a child kidnapping and identity theft case with disturbing themes.
What movies are like The Imposter?
If you liked The Imposter, try Girl in the Picture, Changeling, Marshland and Capturing the Friedmans.