The American Friend
Performance & Direction: The American Friend Review
Last updated: February 4, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The American Friend (1977) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.1/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and The American Friend features a noteworthy lineup led by Dennis Hopper . Supported by the likes of Bruno Ganz and Lisa Kreuzer , 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?
Story & Plot Summary: The American Friend
Quick Plot Summary: The American Friend is a Drama, Thriller, Crime film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: The American Friend
Ending Breakdown: The American Friend resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to drama resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The American Friend reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
The American Friend Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
The American Friend incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a drama, thriller, crime film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film balances historical fidelity with cinematic storytelling. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
The production demonstrates respect for its source material, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: The American Friend adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch The American Friend?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Top Cast: The American Friend
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch The American Friend Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
YouTube TV
Criterion Channel
TCM🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Fandango At Home🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoApple TV StoreFandango At HomeThe American Friend Parents Guide & Age Rating
1977 AdvisoryWondering about The American Friend age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The American Friend is 125 minutes (2h 5m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.1/10, and global performance metrics, The American Friend is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1977 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The American Friend worth watching?
The American Friend is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 7.1/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The American Friend parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The American Friend identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The American Friend?
The total duration of The American Friend is 125 minutes, which is approximately 2h 5m long.
Best Movies to Watch if you liked The American Friend
How The American Friend Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The American Friend
No reviews found for this filter.
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.
