Neal Jimenez wrote the script for this crime thriller, which Tim Hunter directed. The cast includes Keanu Reeves, Ione Skye Leitch, Crispin Glover, and Dennis Hopper. The plot of the film is loosely based on an actual murder that occurred in 1981. A young obese guy murders his friend by strangling her and leaves her nude body by the river. He brings a couple of school acquaintances, both boys and girls, to see the dead body. Earlier, a 12-year-old boy saw the dead body. Crispin, one of the friends who appear to be the boss, wants to assist cover up the murder, despite the wishes of the others. Keanu, upset by what he seen, makes an anonymous call to the police to notify them. We see Keanu's younger brother, who is pretty mean to his sister, is also a weed addict, and brandishes a gun at his older brother. At least some of these youngsters want to do good, but they are also frightened of upsetting their boss friend. The film contains strong acting and some tense scenes near the conclusion.

There’s something intriguing about RIVER’S EDGE, but it never quite hits its stride. Crispin Glover is magnetic as the unhinged best friend, yet his eccentricity overwhelms a script that struggles to find its energy and direction.

A dark and refreshingly raw exploration of grief, the vulnerability of friendship and the apathy that comes with living a life of misery, Rivers Edge is a film I was only made aware of via a recommendation for a podcast episode, and it’s something I’m very thankful for. With some big names like Keanu Reeves, Dennis Hopper & Crispin Glover, alongside some lesser known performers and even some debutants, everyone gets a chance to demonstrate their acting chops, but its Glover that consistently stands out. You can criticise his character for being annoying, something the other characters even do, but it feels like, above everyone else, he’s the one that’s really giving a performance, and throwing himself into the psyche of this character. He’s over the top and eccentric, but there’s a genuine look in his eye, an absence of winking self-awareness that makes it easier to buy what he’s selling. The films itself is something of an amalgamation of Stand By Me & Gummo. We see individuals who are so used to life at the bottom, living with violence, dissolution and general hopelessness that a tragic event isn’t even enough to shake them out of their apathetic state. But as things go on we see more and more how this event starts to affect them, and the friendship that previously held them together starts to fracture. The cinematography is suitably bleak and devoid of spark, and the dialogue feels natural and devoid of posturing or platitudes. It’s a hard hitting film that deals with real issues, even if we’d rather not admit how common they are, and if you ever sit down to watch this one, don’t expect an easy ride.

Will stay with you. Has that great coming of age/midnight movie feel to it. Funny and dark as hell at the same time

A movie that deals with a lot of themes and messages about teens and their struggles in life, but not a re watchable film due to its poor acting and laughable script.

One of my favorite 80s movies

It's hard to know what's worse: the murder or what came after at the rivers edge? A young Crispin Glover, Keanu Reeves, Daniel Robick, and the late Dennis Hopper Samson has murdered his girlfriend and left her naked body lying on the bank of a river just outside their small California town He not only doesn't run away, he brings his friends to gawk at her dead body Speed freak Layne tries to force the teens' silence to protect their friend, but conscience is gnawing at the others -- particularly Matt and Clarissa who want to go to the police The question is is it better to not say anything or take action before things get worse? Barely anything progresses in this and it's hard to find the characters likable This movie is way too long too and it's too downbeat and depressing It's trying to tell a story of aimless youth showing real monsters of their own making feeling grim Needed to try harder though

Perfect portrait of thrash metal juvenile delinquents inthe mid 80s, and an unforgettable Dennis Hopper as the one legged psychopath Fek, make this one of the top 10 generation x films.

I missed this movie when it first came out and going back to it now was rewarding. Some of these young actors ended up being quite famous over time. Worthwhile movie with a good but dark message about teens.

It's an interesting watch, if nothing else, in large part because of the eclectic mix of actors and increasing consequences. It didn't go over the top with the end but it was still satisfactory. Perhaps the smartest thing this did was a proper soundtrack, not just noise.

I don't understand the "critical acclaim" of this disjointed mess. The "critics" were clearly trolling unsuspecting viewers about this pulled-from-the-headlines debacle. It's hard to say which was worse - the writing or the acting - but referring to the result as "provocative" or discussing it in context with "The Breakfast Club" is completely unreasonable. Every character lacked authenticity, as though each had been assigned to play the caricature OF a caricature and then decided to improvise it and "make it their own". Ugh. I'm angry at myself for watching to the end, but especially disappointed with TCM for presenting it.

There's the nugget of a great idea about disaffected youth in River's Edge, but it instead devolves into a sloppy teen soap opera. Set in a small California town, a teenage boy (Daniel Roebuck) senselessly strangles his girlfriend and leaves her naked corpse on the bank of a river to show off to his friends, who react to the horror as though staring at a flat tire. The theme (our culture is responsible for a generation of immoral and irresponsible young adults) is none too subtle, but there's really nothing subtle about this mess of a movie. There are countless problems, including an endless stream of wooden dialogue, a horrible synthesizer music score, and some of the most ridiculous performances imaginable, most notably by Crispin Glover (absurd, as one would expect) and Keanu Reeves (disinterested, as one would expect). River's Edge is objectively bad (and unintentionally funny over the second half), which makes the glowing reviews from critics absolutely baffling.

Superb acting from the entire cast especially Glover and Roebuck.

Great movie on teenage apathy. The young actors, Reeves, Skye, Glover are superb with character actor Roebuck in his first role and Hopper as usual great but crazy.

Two words: Crispin Glover

There's a quality to this film that I can't quite get my finger on. It feels authentic, like a genuine glimpse to the lives of these teenagers. It also makes it so much harder to stomach, their apathy, but also it makes it so much more understandable. Overall a great depiction of the teenage years. Crispin Glover provides some laughs with his gang leader Layne, who is at times ridiculous, but still, you totally know that guy. Keanu Reeves is a natural in his role as the contemplating, secretly sensitive Matt, especially in the scene at the police station. A killer soundtrack. I also like the somehow poetical collision of the two generations, with Dennis Hopper - the face of his generation's anti-establishment rebellion - and the cast of Gen Xers.

Best of the best. Crispin shines in this role. "It's warm even."

A movie so bad it becomes slightly entertaining. Over the top acting and exaggerated moral indifference makes this movie difficult to watch but at the same time difficult to not watch, I can't completely explain it.

A simple story trying to be edgy and artistic. It ended up a bore with unnecessary vulgarity for shock value. Saw on HBO.

Almost 35 years later, this film still stands today as it was then: a fantastic cast of unlikable characters in one of the most overrated films of the 80's. An absolute dimwitted group of kids that somehow seemed to resonate with the times.