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U Turn

U Turn

Sex. Murder. Betrayal. Everything that makes life worth living.

1997125 minRMidcredits score: 69th percentile of all films
Director
Oliver Stone
Starring
Sean Penn, Nick Nolte, Jennifer Lopez, Joaquin Phoenix

When a desperate man’s car breaks down in a bizarre desert town while evading vengeful bookies, he becomes entangled in a dangerous love triangle. Caught between a married couple, he’s faced with deadly contracts to kill them both.

Where to watch

Where can I watch U Turn?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists U Turn streaming on Sony Pictures Core via Prime Video and to rent or buy on Prime Video.

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via Prime Video

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about U Turn?

U Turn earns 9 badges, led by Crowd Pleaser and Award Winner.

Show 1 more
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Cast

Reception

Is U Turn worth watching?

U Turn's Midcredits score is the 69th percentile of all films, from 83K ratings across 6 sources. 63% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

69th percentile

Better received than 69% of films

71st percentile among Crime71st percentile among 1990s
Acclaim (how much people like it)66th
Approval (how many liked it)70th

66 /100

66th percentile of all films

70th percentile among Crime71st percentile among 1990s

Critics 54 · Audience 67

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.8 — solid but not unanimous.

63% liked it

70th percentile of all films

70th percentile among Crime71st percentile among 1990s
63% rated it 7–1037% rated it 1–6

Critics 59% · Audience 63%

On Rotten Tomatoes, critics and audiences approve at similar rates.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 1 wins / 2 noms overall

93rd percentile

83K ratings across platforms

92nd percentile among Crime90th percentile among 1990s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 11% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$19M
Opening weekend$2.7M
Domestic gross$6.7M
Worldwide gross$6.7M

Returned 0.4× its budget — 72nd percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A sweaty, overheated desert noir/grotesque comedy where everyone is duplicitous and nothing goes right.

Fans praised

  • stunning, hallucinatory desert cinematography
  • pitch-perfect dark comedy and absurdist humor
  • strong cast chemistry with scene-stealing supporting turns

Detractors panned

  • overbearing, self-indulgent direction that smothers the story
  • thin, derivative plot that drags and feels aimless

What stands out

CinematographyDivisive80

overexposed, grainy, hyper-saturated desert visuals; praised by fans as beautiful, panned by some as gimmicky

ActingDivisive78

all-star cast in committed, often over-the-top performances; Penn anchors, Thornton/Phoenix/Nolte steal scenes

AtmosphereDivisive78

sweltering, claustrophobic, hallucinatory desert purgatory; praised by fans, called overdone by detractors

CharactersDivisive70

memorably quirky and grotesque, but many find them cartoonish and unsympathetic

HumorDivisive70

deadpan absurdist comedy that many fans love but detractors find labored or unfunny

Plot and storyDivisive42

twisty but derivative of Red Rock West and earlier noirs, often called aimless or overlong

PacingDivisive35

too long for its slight narrative, drags badly in the second hour

OriginalityDivisive30

heavily compared unfavorably to Red Rock West, Blood Simple and other neo-noirs

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Men

Men scored it 26 points higher than women.

Under-30s vs over-30s

Preferred by Over-30s

Over-30s scored it 16 points higher than under-30s.

US vs non-US

Preferred by Non-US Viewers

Non-US viewers scored it 26 points higher than US viewers.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Critics vs users 4 points apart

Watch experience

What is U Turn like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Dark comedy: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are ready for heavy feelings, and you want to laugh at things you probably shouldn't.

It is intense, never lets up and leaves you devastated. Skip it when you want an easy night.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Room for heavy feelings.

What it feels like

Dark comedy.

Moods
TenseDreadAbsurd
Heaviest: late
Dark humor
The answer rests on this: Register
Deadpan · 1% of films: Delivered flat and unsmiling, which is the joke.Satirical · 5% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its noir melodrama with a deadpan, darkly comic edge, never undercutting the grimness but letting the absurdity of the situation and the characters' over-the-top behaviour create a satirical register.
The rideSustained tension punctuated by absurd, violent twists; the climax and final scene are the most brutal and dispiriting.
StructureConventional three-act structure: arrival in town, entrapment and deal-making, violent climax and ironic denouement.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Devastated.

Devastating · 3% of filmsUnsettling
Why it leaves you this wayThe bleakly ironic ending where the hero's escape fails in the same way it began leaves a devastating, unsettling aftertaste.
How it ends · evidence
Tragic endingTwist

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).TragedyHubris
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9% (this title): Hubris 1% (this title) · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Tragedy: A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin. · Hubris: Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).

9% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeThe story of a drifter trapped in a desert town who agrees to a murder-for-hire scheme that backfires in a spiral of double-crosses, fitting a tragedy of hubris.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfBetrayalMorality
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% (this title) · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16% (this title): Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% (this title) · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% (this title) · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Morality

Betrayal · 5% of filmsGreed · 3% of filmsSurvival
Satirizes its theme: Attacks its theme through ridicule.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe story is built on layers of mutual betrayal — every character lies, manipulates, or turns on another, all driven by greed and the instinct to survive.
StanceThe film takes a sardonic, ironic stance toward its theme of betrayal — everyone is scheming, and the satire lies in how greed and distrust end up destroying everyone.

The world

ContemporaryRuralSuburbanStylized realism
Orchestral modernExperimentalSupportive music · original score · Ennio Morricone
SettingA rundown desert town in Arizona where everyone is crooked
MusicMorricone's score mixes ominous guitar, harmonica, and percussive elements to capture the film's desert-noir tone.

Content guide

Is U Turn okay for kids?

R

U Turn is rated R: “Rated R for strong violence, sexuality and language” (MPAA). As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at intense (78/100), sexual content at intense (70/100), language at intense (74/100), drug and alcohol content at moderate (38/100) and frightening material at intense (65/100). Overall it is heavier than 68% of R-rated films.

Ratings in 9 other countries
  • UK18
  • Germany16
  • South Korea15
  • Brazil16
  • Czechia15+
  • Hungary18
  • Netherlands16
  • PortugalM/16
  • Spain18
Overall
Intense · all five categories
Heavier than 81% of all filmsHeavier than 68% of R-rated films
Violence & Gore
Intense
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 61%
Sex & Nudity
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
heavy for an R-rated film
heavier than 88%
Profanity
Intense
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 63%
Alcohol & Drugs
Moderate
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 44%
Frightening / Intense
Intense
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 55%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Heavy almost across the board: violence, language, sexual content, and frightening material. Everything else sits at or below what R-rated films usually carry.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does U Turn have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in U Turn?

Cast

2 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Sean Penn
as Bobby Cooper
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Nick Nolte
as Jake McKenna
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Jennifer Lopez
as Grace McKenna
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.
Joaquin Phoenix
as Toby N. Tucker
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
newcomer then · star now
Claire Danes
as Jenny
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.
Powers Boothe
as Sheriff Potter
Billy Bob Thornton
as Darrell
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.
Jon Voight
as Blind Man
Abraham Benrubi
as Biker #1
Richard Rutowski
as Biker #2
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like U Turn?

Movies like U Turn include Casino (1995), Nixon (1995) and Knockaround Guys (2001). Of the 12 closest matches, two are films by Oliver Stone, and several are films about greed.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

7 of these 12 share its world: small-town America. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with U Turn?

1.2K other films share the rarest tag below, follows: outlaw. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.