Mean Creek
Performance & Direction: Mean Creek Review
Last updated: January 25, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Mean Creek (2004) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.8/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Crime.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Crime is often anchored by its ensemble, and Mean Creek features a noteworthy lineup led by Rory Culkin . Supported by the likes of Scott Mechlowicz and Trevor Morgan , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Mean Creek (2004) is generally positive. With an audience rating of 6.8/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: Mean Creek
Quick Plot Summary: Mean Creek is a Crime, Drama film that dives into the criminal underworld with a grounded sense of realism and complex morality. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: Mean Creek
Ending Breakdown: Mean Creek concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to crime resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the crime themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Mean Creek reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Mean Creek Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Mean Creek incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a crime, drama film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: Mean Creek adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch Mean Creek?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Crime films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Box Office Collection: Mean Creek
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $500.0K |
| Worldwide Gross | $603.9K |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Mean Creek Budget
The estimated production budget for Mean Creek is $500.0K. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Mean Creek
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Mean Creek Online?
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Amazon VideoApple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeMean Creek Parents Guide & Age Rating
2004 AdvisoryWondering about Mean Creek age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Mean Creek is 90 minutes (1h 30m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.8/10, and global performance metrics, Mean Creek is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2004 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mean Creek worth watching?
Mean Creek is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Crime movies. It has a verified rating of 6.8/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Mean Creek parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Mean Creek identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Mean Creek?
The total duration of Mean Creek is 90 minutes, which is approximately 1h 30m long.
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Critic Reviews for Mean Creek
I pretty much never turn down a movie that purports to be in the "Fucked-Up-Coming-of-Age-Movie" category, and rarely am I disappointed. _Mean Creek_ does absolutely nothing to buck that trend, being a completely engaging movie that I started recommending to people before I'd even finished watching it. _Final rating:★★★ - I liked it. Would personally recommend you give it a go._
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
