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Red Dawn

Red Dawn

Thriller · War · Drama · 1984

It is the dawn of World War III. In mid-western America, a group of teenagers band together to defend their town—and their country—from invading Soviet forces.

Movie details

Red Dawn

“In our time, no foreign army has ever occupied American soil. Until now.”

1984 Thriller · War · Drama 1h 54m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.3 / 10

Community rating

It is the dawn of World War III. In mid-western America, a group of teenagers band together to defend their town—and their country—from invading Soviet forces.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Red Dawn?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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A group of teenage cadets sheltered from war at the Virginia Military Institute must confront the horrors of an adult world when they are called upon to defend the Shenandoah Valley.

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In post-World War II America, a woman, rebuilding her life in the suburbs with her husband, kidnaps her neighbor and seeks vengeance for the heinous war crimes she believes he committed against her.

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Civil War

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In the near future, a group of war journalists attempt to survive while reporting the truth as the United States stands on the brink of civil war.

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Set during the occupation of Iraq, a squad of U.S. soldiers try to protect a small village.

Where it lives

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

John Milius

Written by

John Milius · Kevin Reynolds

Patrick Swayze

Patrick Swayze

Jed

Charlie Sheen

Charlie Sheen

Matt

C. Thomas Howell

C. Thomas Howell

Robert

Lea Thompson

Lea Thompson

Erica

Darren Dalton

Darren Dalton

Daryl

Jennifer Grey

Jennifer Grey

Toni

Powers Boothe

Powers Boothe

Andy

Court is in session

Put Red Dawn on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Form is the argument.”

Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Technique in search of a pulse.”

Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.