Mean Creek (2004)
88%RT Audience Score: 82%
Awards & Nominations: 4 wins & 6 nominations
Mean Creek is an uncomfortably riveting glimpse into the casual cruelty of youth
Mean Creek is a movie that will make you feel like you’re back in high school, but without the acne and awkwardness. It’s a dark and twisted tale about the cruelty of young people, and it’s definitely not for the faint of heart. But if you’re looking for a movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat and make you question your own sense of morality, then Mean Creek is the perfect choice. Just don’t watch it with your parents, unless you want to explain why you’re watching a movie about teenagers doing terrible things.
Production Company(ies)
Columbia Pictures,
Distributor
Focus Features, Paramount Pictures
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Troutdale, Oregon, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for language, sexual references, teen drug and alcohol use
Year of Release
2004
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 29m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jan 15, 2004 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 15, 2011
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Rory Culkin, Josh Peck, Trevor Morgan, Ryan Kelley, Scott Mechlowicz, Carly Schroeder, directed by Jacob Aaron Estes, written by Jacob Aaron Estes, drama, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Nell Minow, Peter Travers, Steven Rea, Jay Boyar, Richard Nilsen, Kimberley Jones, Steve Erickson, Sean Nelson, Felix Vasquez Jr., Jim Lane, Jeremy C Fox, Urban Cinefile Critics, R rating, Focus Features, Paramount Pictures, Rick Rosenthal, Susan Johnson, Hagai Shaham, teenage bullying, revenge, moral complexity, loss of innocence, coming-of-age, peer pressure, wilderness, river, boating expedition, violence, consequences, morality, friendship, washed-out palette, earthy tones, Sharone Meir, TomandAndy, lack of atmosphere, haunting, riveting, outstanding performances, incredible script, compelling characters, emotional core, masterpiece, dynamic character, powerful drama, slow crawl to an end
Worldwide gross: $802,948
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $1,266,640
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,540
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 138,129
US/Canada gross: $603,951
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $952,724
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,199
US/Canada opening weekend: $29,170
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $46,015
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,238
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $500,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $788,743
Production budget ranking: 2,100
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $424,738
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $53,158
ROI to date (est.): 4%
ROI ranking: 1,377
Ryan Kelley – Clyde
Scott Mechlowicz – Marty Blank
Trevor Morgan – Rocky Merrick
Josh Peck – George Tooney
Carly Schroeder – Millie
Jacob Aaron Estes – Director, Writer
Rick Rosenthal – Producer
Susan Johnson – Producer
Hagai Shaham – Producer
Director(s)
Jacob Aaron Estes
Writer(s)
Jacob Aaron Estes
Producer(s)
Rick Rosenthal, Susan Johnson, Hagai Shaham
Film Festivals
Sundance, Cannes
Awards & Nominations
4 wins & 6 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (124) | Top Critics (45) | Fresh (110) | Rotten (14)
This movie about teens is for adults only.
December 26, 2010 | Rating: 3/5
Nell Minow
Common Sense Media
TOP CRITIC
August 14, 2007 | Rating: 2/4
Peter Travers
Rolling Stone
TOP CRITIC
Estes’ dark sunlit tale cuts like a knife.
October 19, 2004 | Rating: 3/4
Steven Rea
Philadelphia Inquirer
TOP CRITIC
A low-key, low-budget thriller that reminds us just how cruel young people can be.
September 24, 2004 | Rating: 4/5
Jay Boyar
Orlando Sentinel
TOP CRITIC
Although it is a flawed film, with a first half that moves slowly and sometimes tediously, it is redeemed by a second half that is gripping, not only for its action but for its moral complexity.
September 23, 2004 | Rating: 3.5/5
Richard Nilsen
Arizona Republic
TOP CRITIC
September 19, 2004 | Rating: 3.5/5
Kimberley Jones
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
For all its contrivances and hesitations, Mean Creek showcases a real, promising talent-even if he might be better off writing about characters his own age.
January 29, 2019
Steve Erickson
Nashville Scene
Mean Creek is a strong premise gone horribly awry.
August 23, 2017
Sean Nelson
The Stranger (Seattle, WA)
A very effective tale of morals, conscience, and peer pressure.
April 29, 2009
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Cinema Crazed
August 7, 2008 | Rating: 3/5
Jim Lane
Sacramento News & Review
The film gives us an adult’s idea of what kids are like, avoiding the complications and inconsistencies of actual adolescence.
September 16, 2005
Jeremy C. Fox
Pajiba
First time writer/ director Estes brings sensitivity and insight to this tale of teens pushed to extremes and forced to confront their sense of responsibility and morality
August 30, 2005
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile…
Plot
When Sam Merrick is beaten up by local bully George Tooney, Sam’s older brother Rocky and his friends Clyde and Marty plan to pretend it’s Sam’s birthday to “invite” George on a boat trip in which they would dare him to strip naked, jump in the lake, and run home naked. But when Sam, his girlfriend Millie, Rocky, and Clyde see George as not much of a bad guy, they want to call off the plan, but Marty refuses. Will the plan go ahead as planned?
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Nothing to add here about Mean Creek.
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