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Poster for The Slaughter Rule

The Slaughter Rule

In life, every season counts.

2002 · 1h 52m · R Drama
Directed by Andrew J. Smith , Alex Smith

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Overview

A young man finds solace with a young woman, his mother, and a high-school football coach who recruits him to quarterback a six-man team.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
74%
Tomatometer
Fresh

Having made his name as a ferocious, self-hating Jewish skinhead in The Believer, 22-year-old Ryan Gosling gives another memorable performance as a lonely, world-hating fatherless quarterback in The Slaughter Rule.

Bilge Ebiri, New York Magazine/Vulture
Fresh

As compellingly played by Morse, a great actor who gives pic more than it gives him, Gideon comes off as a sensitive soul who knows how risky it can be to appear too sensitive in a small town.

Joe Leydon, Variety
Fresh

The film's powerful meditation on masculinity gets much of its credibility and punch from the two leads, especially Morse, a reliable character actor who sinks his teeth into a role with heavy physical and psychological demands.

Scott Tobias, AV Club
Fresh

David Morse, who's spent the last 20 years kicking around network television and building up an resume of impressive movie credits, establishes himself as a truly formidable presence in this powerful first feature by Alex and Andrew Smith.

J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader
Rotten

Writer-directors Andrew and Alex Smith go for emotional truth, but what they come up with is often silly.

Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

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