127 Hours

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127 Hours

R

2011

1h 33m

Biography

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

237 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

While exploring a remote canyon in Utah, mountaineer and adventurer Aron Ralston becomes trapped when a boulder falls on his arm. Over the next five days, Ralston examines his life and considers his options, leading him to an agonizing choice: to amputate his arm so that he can extricate himself and try to make his way back to civilization or remain pinned to the canyon wall and likely die. Based on Ralston's book, "Between a Rock and a Hard Place."

Critics Consensus

As gut-wrenching as it is inspirational, 127 Hours unites one of Danny Boyle's most beautifully exuberant directorial efforts with a terrific performance from James Franco.

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

08/30/2018

This may be a great film, and an ingenious film, but only if you've the stomach for it.

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Kaleem Aftab

Independent (UK)

05/15/2018

Any film that relies on one actor to carry the movie demands a lot of its leading man but James Franco applies a youthful exuberance that makes him so watchable it's all viewers could do not to blink.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

09/11/2017

B

Franco... delivers a solid performance as the strapping climber who shows his vulnerability when he reflects back on his life--the mistakes he's made and the moments he may miss.

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Patrick Cavanaugh

The Wolfman Cometh

Sep 11

5/5

Both tremendously anxiety-inducing and life-affirming over the course of its run time.

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Danilo Castro

Next Best Picture

05/27/2024

8/10

Survival films are generally difficult to watch, given their dire subject matters, and there times when hitting standard dramatic beats inhibits the film’s creative flow, but “127 Hours” is about as entertaining and exciting as the genre gets.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

08/03/2023

4/4

In the wrong hands, the story could have easily been toned down to movie-of-the-week quality banality. But the presentation is pure cinema, designed to create the illusion of motion and progress in otherwise stationary circumstances.

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matthias S

@Thescreenasvor May 8

Watched this back when it released 16 years ago, so it felt like the perfect time for a rewatch. Somehow I completely forgot this was directed by Danny Boyle, and I absolutely love his work. The story is still insane and gripping, you genuinely forget at times that this actually happened. Better than I remembered too. What surprised me most on rewatch was how much of the film is about memories, regrets, loneliness and Aron’s inner thoughts instead of just survival. 127 Hours is intense, emotional and honestly still a really great watch.

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Atilla T

@Treviewd1nce Feb 27

After reading Ralston's story; I tried to get approval to hire him as a motivational speaker for a company function but the corporate comedians won out. I'm sure movie is great just don't have the stomach to watch what I read.

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Nathan T

@FieryRavens Jan 14

If I were stranded on a deserted island and could only choose five movies to watch for as long as I am there, this would be one of the movies I would choose.

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Johannes S

@RT64416087 Oct 19

The runtime of about 95 minutes is perfectly adequate! God the cutting scene is hard to watch!

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Pat K

@PatKast Oct 4

I found the movie captivating, intense, kinda scary (I hike) and overall pretty well done. There are lessons to be learned here... like don't hike alone, especially hidden canyons, slot canyons, caves, secret trails, or secluded places. Once again, bring plenty of water & why is the Gatorade bottle sitting in his vehicle? I liked the movie but feel horrible about him losing his arm. I'm not sure I could cut off my own arm or limb.

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Sebastian D

@de_Baviera Sep 21

The film’s narrow focus can feel constraining, and pacing sags in repetitive moments. Some flashbacks feel tacked on, breaking the tension, and the graphic intensity may alienate casual viewers. It lacks the narrative depth of Boyle’s masterpieces like Slumdog Millionaire. Still, Franco’s brilliance and the film’s raw energy make it a compelling, if not flawless, character study. 127 Hours is a solid pick for fans of gritty, true-life dramas, delivering more heart than polish.

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Synopsis

While exploring a remote canyon in Utah, mountaineer and adventurer Aron Ralston becomes trapped when a boulder falls on his arm. Over the next five days, Ralston examines his life and considers his options, leading him to an agonizing choice: to amputate his arm so that he can extricate himself and try to make his way back to civilization or remain pinned to the canyon wall and likely die. Based on Ralston's book, "Between a Rock and a Hard Place."

Director: Danny Boyle
Producer: Christian Colson, Danny Boyle, John Smithson
Screenwriter: Simon Beaufoy, Danny Boyle
Distributor: Fox Searchlight
Production Co: Darlow Smithson Productions, Cloud Eight
Rating: R (Disturbing Violent Content|Bloody Images|Language)
Genre: Biography, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 28, 2011, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 25, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $18.3M
Runtime: 1h 33m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS