See No Evil, Hear No Evil
Performance & Direction: See No Evil, Hear No Evil Review
Last updated: January 24, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989) 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 Comedy.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and See No Evil, Hear No Evil features a noteworthy lineup led by Richard Pryor . Supported by the likes of Gene Wilder and Joan Severance , 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 See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989) is generally positive. With an audience rating of 6.8/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: See No Evil, Hear No Evil
Quick Plot Summary: See No Evil, Hear No Evil is a Comedy, Crime film that brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. A murder takes place in the shop of David Lyons, a deaf man who fails to hear the gunshot being fired. Outside, blind man Wally Karue hears the shot, but cannot see the perpetrator. Both are arrested, but escape to form an unlikely partnership. Being chased by both the law AND the original killers, can the pair work together to outwit them all? The film finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks and running gags that reward attentive viewers.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The opening establishes the comedic tone and introduces the central conflict through humor and character quirks.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together recurring jokes and character arcs, delivering both laughs and emotional satisfaction.
Ending Explained: See No Evil, Hear No Evil
Ending Breakdown: See No Evil, Hear No Evil concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, 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 comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of See No Evil, Hear No Evil reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
See No Evil, Hear No Evil Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
See No Evil, Hear No Evil incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a comedy, crime 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: See No Evil, Hear No Evil adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch See No Evil, Hear No Evil?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Comedy films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want some laughs and light entertainment
Box Office Collection: See No Evil, Hear No Evil
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $18.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $46.9M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
See No Evil, Hear No Evil Budget
The estimated production budget for See No Evil, Hear No Evil is $18.0M. 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: See No Evil, Hear No Evil
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch See No Evil, Hear No Evil Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon VideoSee No Evil, Hear No Evil Parents Guide & Age Rating
1989 AdvisoryWondering about See No Evil, Hear No Evil age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of See No Evil, Hear No Evil is 102 minutes (1h 42m). 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, See No Evil, Hear No Evil is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1989 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is See No Evil, Hear No Evil worth watching?
See No Evil, Hear No Evil is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 6.8/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find See No Evil, Hear No Evil parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for See No Evil, Hear No Evil identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of See No Evil, Hear No Evil?
The total duration of See No Evil, Hear No Evil is 102 minutes, which is approximately 1h 42m long.
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Critic Reviews for See No Evil, Hear No Evil
"See No Evil, Hear No Evil" is a very entertaining film and it is the perfect vehicle for the combined talents of Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder simply because it takes a straight forward central idea - Pryor is blind and Wilder is deaf - and it proceeds to place the pair in a succession of outrageous situations which quite frankly only they could perform as realistically as they do. This film also serves up a really generous ration of genuine laughs and it provides an empowering and positive attitude towards disability and as Wilder's character David Lyons comments at one point they are the least well equipped men to be doing what they are doing, but instead of this obstacle being a deterrent and a reason to give up it only serves to propel them forward.
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.
