Cape Fear

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Cape Fear

R

1991

2h 8m

Mystery & Thriller

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

77%

Tomatometer

56 Reviews

77%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

When attorney Sam Bowden (Nick Nolte) knowingly withholds evidence that would acquit violent sex offender Max Cady (Robert De Niro) of rape charges, Max spends 14 years in prison. But after Max's release, knowing about Sam's deceit, he devotes his life to stalking and destroying the Bowden family. When practical attempts to stop Max fail, Sam realizes that he must act outside the law to protect his wife and daughter in Martin Scorsese's remake of the classic 1962 thriller.

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Critics Consensus

Smart and stylish, Cape Fear is a gleefully mainstream shocker from Martin Scorsese, with a terrifying Robert De Niro performance.

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Steve Murray

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Sep 25, 2025

Scary, gory and able to jangle your nerves in half a dozen ways.

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Wendy Ide

The Times (UK)

Aug 14, 2023

Yet the grubby story is elevated by a superior cast in both the original and this grimly bloodthirsty remake.

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Victoria Luxford

BBC.com

May 6, 2022

(De Niro) had played a tough guy before, but never quite like this: a very sinister, very jagged, very dangerous character… put that together with Martin Scorsese at possibly the peak of his powers, and it’s a delightful if slightly scary film.

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Dan DiNicola

The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY)

Dec 18, 2025

5/5

This is a superbly taut and frightening chunk of suspense at once accessible and tinged with psychological complexity.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Aug 26, 2025

3/4

Technically, the film is a dazzling achievement, but De Niro’s performance wavers uneasily between brutish commitment and shallow parody.

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Terry Francis

Southern Voice (Atlanta)

May 8, 2023

2.5/4

The picture's missteps are more than numerous.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 15, 2026

Cape Fear = a *4* star Movie!

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Serg S

@StrongIslandPapi Sep 15, 2026

Good cast and an interesting plot. It start off well but, it starts to get unbelievable as it goes on. DeNiro’s character is basically invincible.

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Drew F

@Drewfrost20 Sep 10, 2026

Robert De Niro was incredible. The show is terrible compared to this masterpiece. Not sure why I took so long to watch this. Must watch!

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Frank E

@Franksmovies Aug 19, 2026

Not a perfect series but good enough to look forward to the next episode each week.

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Briana I

@Anaire Aug 17, 2026

Watched for the first time in 2026. I'm a fan of DeNiro so anything with him gets a higher rating. So the polt is what made it so successful. Having Robert play a psycho straight out of jail, seeking revenge because his lawyer knew he was a deranged manic rapist who deserved to be locked up. And was upset because he had to pay for his crimes but because he's crazy feels like he was wrongful accused so he torments his attorney and his family, yea this was right up my alley! But...due to the heavy nature and certain context I can't say it's my favorte or I could watch over and over but definitely one I'm glad I seen and I would recommend! Great film, I also have more appreciation for Lewis and seeing her much early work makes me understand her talent better. As I think she's underrated.

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Wendel L

@BRZRKR Aug 14, 2026

Direção: Bom Atuação: Bom Roteiro: Bom Caracterização: Ok Soundtrack: Ok

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Martin Scorsese

Director

Robert De Niro

Max Cady

Nick Nolte

Sam Bowden

Jessica Lange

Leigh Bowden

Juliette Lewis

Danielle Bowden

Joe Don Baker

Claude Kersek

Cape Fear: Official Clip - Cady Kills Kersek

2:43

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Cape Fear: Official Clip - More Than Human

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Cape Fear: Official Clip - Cady Drowns

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Cape Fear: Official Clip - Leigh Offers Herself

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Cape Fear: Official Clip - Sucking Cady's Thumb

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Cape Fear: Official Clip - Strip Search

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Cape Fear: Official Clip - Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are

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Cape Fear: Official Clip - The People vs. Samuel Bowden

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Cape Fear: Official Clip - Cady's Release

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Cape Fear: Official Clip - Smoking and Cackling

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Synopsis

When attorney Sam Bowden (Nick Nolte) knowingly withholds evidence that would acquit violent sex offender Max Cady (Robert De Niro) of rape charges, Max spends 14 years in prison. But after Max's release, knowing about Sam's deceit, he devotes his life to stalking and destroying the Bowden family. When practical attempts to stop Max fail, Sam realizes that he must act outside the law to protect his wife and daughter in Martin Scorsese's remake of the classic 1962 thriller.

Director: Martin Scorsese
Producer: Robert De Niro, Barbara De Fina
Screenwriter: John D. MacDonald, James R. Webb, Wesley Strick
Distributor: Universal Pictures, MCA/Universal Pictures [us], Universal Home Entertainment
Production Co: Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment, Tribeca Productions
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 13, 1991, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $76.4M
Runtime: 2h 8m
Sound Mix: Surround
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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