Killer of Sheep

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Killer of Sheep

1978

1h 20m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

98%

Tomatometer

85 Reviews

83%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

In Watts, an urban and mostly African-American section of Los Angeles, Stan (Henry Gayle Sanders) spends his days toiling away at a local slaughterhouse. His macabre profession seeps into his personal life as he struggles to keep his family afloat and content. Other life situations also prove to be difficult, since it seems that dark intentions lurk within the people he meets outside his family. The layers of stress cause Stan to question whether a better quality of life is possible.

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Critics Consensus

By turns funny, sad, and profound, Killer of Sheep offers a sympathetic and humane glimpse into inner-city life.

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Tim Grierson

Los Angeles Times

Apr 28, 2025

Instead of a conventional narrative, “Killer of Sheep” presents us with a mood.

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Richard Brody

The New Yorker

Apr 18, 2025

A sharply observed, lyrically romantic drama of a young paterfamilias in Watts named Stan, whose harsh job in a slaughterhouse leaves him embittered and depressed.

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Mark Feeney

Boston Globe

Sep 21, 2020

3.5/4

It's quiet, unhurried, understated, unblinking. Mood matters more than style, dailiness more than incident.

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Kathy Fennessy

Seattle Film Blog

Feb 4, 2026

4/4

While Italy produced neo-realism and England produced kitchen sink realism, Killer of Sheep transfers that same kind of cinéma vérité look at lower-income life to 1970s America.

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Julian Singleton

Cinapse

Jul 11, 2025

in a world where such lives are often exploited for status-quo-stabilizing narratives, Charles Burnett gives his characters the freedom to exist on their own terms.

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Andrew Wyatt

The Take-Up

Apr 17, 2025

Killer of Sheep vibrates with the uncontainable energy of a sui generis masterpiece, tapping into something timeless and quintessential about the Black American experience – and American life in general.

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Kyle M

@RT77296778 Sep 5, 2026

Charles Burnett’s instinctive direction persuade how traditional neorealism enables performers to enact their slice-of-life glimpses in a representing matter that instills palpable familiarity as poetically insightful for one community amongst others, with the only solid narration being its metaphorical framework whilst comparing to how the classic Italian film "Bicycle Thieves" showed invitational truism rather than disengaging intrusion lacking thereof. (B)

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Allan C

@RT15713161 Jul 25, 2026

Italian Neorealism comes to Watts The Killer of Sheep (1978) **** KILLER OF SHEEP is a powerful, neorealist portrait of life in 1970s Watts, using a series of intimate vignettes to capture both the hardships and humanity of its community. Though some performances are rough, its striking black-and-white photography and deeply authentic depiction of everyday life make it an unforgettable film. SEE LETTERBOXED FOR FULL REVIEW

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Garry A

@heavyg Jan 4, 2026

Nothing really happens in this film. It's a collection of everyday moments and experiences. Sometimes it's fascinating and sometimes it's boring.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Jul 19, 2025

Success in 1 1/3 hours.

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ulyssesmovieblog b

@RT05396176 Jun 10, 2025

More than a story of poverty and alienation, Killer of Sheep offers a universal narrative of humanity’s life of small joys and struggles. Burnett’s minimalist and lyrical style makes the film not only a social drama but also a work of art. The film was one of the pioneers of the “Black Cinema” movement in American cinema and is still influential today. https://ulyssesmovieblog.com/killer-of-sheep-a-poetic-portrait-of-poverty-and-alienation/

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s r

@ScottR Jun 6, 2022

1001 movies to see before you die. This one was raw and provided a glimpse into life in Watts in the late 70s. It was informative, but a bit slow at times. The use of the Afro American Symphony 1st movement was my favorite part. It was a STG DVD.

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Charles Burnett

Director

Henry G. Sanders

Stan

Kaycee Moore

Stan's Wife

Charles Bracy

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Synopsis

In Watts, an urban and mostly African-American section of Los Angeles, Stan (Henry Gayle Sanders) spends his days toiling away at a local slaughterhouse. His macabre profession seeps into his personal life as he struggles to keep his family afloat and content. Other life situations also prove to be difficult, since it seems that dark intentions lurk within the people he meets outside his family. The layers of stress cause Stan to question whether a better quality of life is possible.

Director: Charles Burnett
Producer: Charles Burnett
Screenwriter: Charles Burnett
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 14, 1978, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Apr 18, 2025
Release Date (DVD): Sep 15, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA): $109.4K
Runtime: 1h 20m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.37:1)

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