Desperate Hours
Performance & Direction: Desperate Hours Review
Last updated: February 15, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Desperate Hours (1990) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.4/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Thriller.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Thriller is often anchored by its ensemble, and Desperate Hours features a noteworthy lineup led by Mickey Rourke . Supported by the likes of Anthony Hopkins and Mimi Rogers , 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: Desperate Hours
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1990, Desperate Hours is a Thriller, Crime film directed by Michael Cimino. The narrative builds tension through unpredictable twists and keeps audiences guessing until the final reveal. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Mickey Rourke.
Ending Explained: Desperate Hours
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Michael Cimino, Desperate Hours attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to thriller resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes involving Mickey Rourke, 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 thriller themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Desperate Hours reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Desperate Hours Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Desperate Hours incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a thriller, crime film directed by Michael Cimino, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement for Mickey Rourke's character.
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: Desperate Hours adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch Desperate Hours?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Thriller films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Box Office Collection: Desperate Hours
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $18.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $2.7M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Desperate Hours Budget
The estimated production budget for Desperate Hours is $18.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Desperate Hours
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Where to Watch Desperate Hours Online?
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Fandango At HomeDesperate Hours Parents Guide & Age Rating
1990 AdvisoryWondering about Desperate Hours age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Desperate Hours is 105 minutes (1h 45m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.4/10, and global performance metrics, Desperate Hours is classified as a AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1990 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Desperate Hours worth watching?
Desperate Hours is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Thriller movies. It has a verified rating of 5.4/10 and stands as a AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Desperate Hours parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Desperate Hours identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Desperate Hours?
The total duration of Desperate Hours is 105 minutes, which is approximately 1h 45m long.
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How Desperate Hours Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Desperate Hours
_**A Tarantino flick before they existed**_ An intelligent sociopathic convict (Mickey Rourke) escapes custody in Salt Lake City and meets up with his brother (Elias Koteas) and their hulking, dull-witted collaborator (David Morse). They need a place to hide out until the mastermind’s defense lawyer can catch up with them (Kelly Lynch) and so randomly choose the Cornell’s abode in the suburbs due to its "For Sale" sign (Anthony Hopkins & Mimi Rogers). “Desperate Hours” (1990) is a quirky crime thriller by Michael Cimino that updates the book/play/movie from 1954-55. Some people don't 'get' this flick. It walks the balance beam between seriousness and parody or black humor. Lindsay Crouse's amusingly over-the-top FBI chief is a good example. The two random college girls in ridiculously short shorts is another, not to mention the big lug thug in clothes covered with blood stains. What "Timmy" (Hopkins) does to a certain character at the end is yet another. Then there's the incongruous orchestral score by David Mansfield. Remember, director Michael Cimino's first movie was "Thunderbolt and Lightfoot" (1974), a Tarantino flick two decades before he shot to fame with “Pulp Fiction.” Like those films and “The Gauntlet” (1977), “Desperate Hours” is quasi-believable mixed with glaring exaggerations. For instance, remember the shot-to-hell house collapsing in “Gauntlet”? It’s similar with this one, just a little more low-key. Shawnee Smith was 20 during shooting and looks great as the 15 year-old daughter. Meanwhile Brittney Lewis and Lise Wilburn play the aforementioned “college girls.” Shorts like theirs wouldn’t come into style until almost 40 years later. The movie runs 1 hour, 46 minutes, and was shot in Utah: Salt Lake City, Echo Junction, Orem, Zion, and Capitol Reef; as well as Telluride, Colorado. GRADE: B
OK, it's not Bogie. Let's get that out of the way from the start. People are going to hate this on principal because it doesn't have Bogart in it... ...and that is fair. People like me are also going to hate this out the door not only because it doesn't have Bogie in it but also because it is a remake... ...and that is also a fair hate. but if you get beyond that, it is really an entertaining thriller in the strictest late 80s early 90s thriller sense and just as flawed as all of them from that era. Artistically, it's really an 80s stock thriller with 90s cinematography. Neither bad nor good. Neither terrible nor great. However, it is an entertaining movie to watch, it's gripping and thrilling enough to keep you in a good mood whilst watching it...so 10 stars. So long as a movie entertains, it did it's job. This was watchable and entertaining.
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.
