American History X (1998)
Some legacies must end.
Derek Vineyard is paroled after serving 3 years in prison for killing two African-American men. Through his brother, Danny Vineyard's narration, we learn that before going to prison, Derek was a skinhead and the leader of a violent white supremacist gang that committed acts of racial crime throughout L.A. and his actions greatly influenced Danny. Reformed and fresh out of prison, Derek severs contact with the gang and becomes determined to keep Danny from going down the same violent path as he did.
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| Type | Movie |
|---|---|
| Released | 1 July 1998 |
| Genre | Drama |
| Director | Tony Kaye |
| Starring | Edward Norton, Edward Furlong and Beverly D'Angelo |
| Runtime | 119 min |
| Rated | R |
| Scores | Rotten Tomatoes (average) 7.3/10 · Metacritic 62/100 · Rotten Tomatoes 84% · IMDb 8.5/10 · TMDB users 8.3/10 |
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You can rent or buy American History X on Apple TV, Prime Video, Google Play, YouTube and Fandango at Home.
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What kind of watch this is
American History X is a 1998 drama that runs 119 minutes. Directed by Tony Kaye, it tells the story through the eyes of Danny, played by Edward Furlong, who watches his older brother Derek, played by Edward Norton, dismantle the life he built. The film asks what happens when a radical leader tries to undo the damage he caused.
What the critics said
Critics mostly liked it, though not unanimously. Rotten Tomatoes lists an 84% approval rating as of January 2026. Metacritic gives it a 62/100, which it labels generally favorable. Gene Siskel of the Chicago Tribune called it "a shockingly powerful screed against racism." Roger Ebert, however, found the path to hatred underdeveloped, noting the film contains the promise of being more than it is. That tension defines the reception.
What came next for the cast
Edward Norton arrived with Primal Fear and The People vs. Larry Flynt, then stepped into Fight Club. Beverly D’Angelo left Annie Hall and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation behind, eventually appearing in Vacation. Edward Furlong returned to the Terminator franchise with Terminator: Dark Fate, years after Terminator 2: Judgment Day. These shifts happened around 1998, but a film does not dictate a career. The credits simply list what followed.
Where it left its mark
The film became a teaching tool. Amnesty International USA screened it in colleges and nationwide events to discuss human rights. In France, screenings sparked debates about whether such extremism was a local anomaly or a global issue. Critics later noted the film’s relevance. Christopher Hooton of The Independent, writing for the 20th anniversary, argued it feels more essential now than it ever has. Clayton Schuster of Vice linked the movie’s hate to real-world events, from Charleston to Charlottesville. He noted a key difference: the film’s skinheads are visually distinct.
If you liked this
TMDB's recommendations for people who watched American History X.
Sources
- American History X on TMDB — synopsis, cast, ratings and recommendations
- Wikidata Q208572 — review scores, box office and awards (CC0)
- “American History X” on Wikipedia, by its contributors (history) — reception, audience figures and legacy, summarised and adapted here under CC BY-SA 4.0
- Where to watch and prices: Binge Boss, from TMDB watch-provider data (powered by JustWatch) and our own provider list
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