The River Rat
Performance & Direction: The River Rat Review
Last updated: January 23, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The River Rat (1984) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.2/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Adventure.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Adventure is often anchored by its ensemble, and The River Rat features a noteworthy lineup led by Tommy Lee Jones . Supported by the likes of Martha Plimpton and Brian Dennehy , 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 The River Rat (1984) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.2/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: The River Rat
Quick Plot Summary: The River Rat is a Adventure, Crime, Family, Drama film that presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: The River Rat
Ending Breakdown: The River Rat concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to adventure 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 adventure themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The River Rat reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
The River Rat Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
The River Rat incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a adventure, crime, family, 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: The River Rat adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch The River Rat?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Adventure films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Box Office Collection: The River Rat
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Worldwide Gross | $1.1M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Top Cast: The River Rat
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Where to Watch The River Rat Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon VideoThe River Rat Parents Guide & Age Rating
1984 AdvisoryWondering about The River Rat age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The River Rat is 94 minutes (1h 34m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.2/10, and global collection metrics, The River Rat stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1984 cinematic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The River Rat worth watching?
The River Rat is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Adventure movies. It has a verified rating of 6.2/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The River Rat parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The River Rat identifies it as PG. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The River Rat?
The total duration of The River Rat is 94 minutes, which is approximately 1h 34m long.
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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.
