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Fresh

R 1994 1h 52m Drama List
88% Tomatometer 41 Reviews 91% Audience Score 5,000+ Ratings
Fresh (Sean Nelson) is a 12-year-old drug dealer who finds himself trapped in a web of poverty, corruption and racial tension in Brooklyn, New York. When his drug-addict sister Nichole (N'Bushe Wright) starts sleeping with local drug lord Esteban (Giancarlo Esposito), Fresh calls upon the skills he learned playing chess with his alcoholic father and speed-chess champion Sam (Samuel L. Jackson) and devises a complex strategy that will free both himself and his sister. Read More Read Less
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Fresh

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Fresh

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Well cast and sharply directed, Fresh serves as an attention-getting calling card for writer-director Boaz Yakin as well as a gripping urban drama.

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Critics Reviews

View All (41) Critics Reviews
David Ansen Newsweek Though well acted, and handsomely shot by veteran Adam Holender, Fresh sacrifices real emotion for thriller contrivances. It's a tourist's drive through inner-city hell. Mar 4, 2019 Full Review Kenneth Turan Los Angeles Times Glibly shocking, it would like you to think it deals with the hard realities of urban life, but in fact it uses its patina of social consciousness as a come-on for the most conventional kind of violent commercial filmmaking. Apr 21, 2015 Full Review Kim Newman Empire Magazine The strength of the piece is that it realises which aspects of its genre have been seen too many times, always coming back to Nelson's blank but expressive stare as he watches terrible things the director doesn't need to shove in our faces. Rated: 4/5 Apr 21, 2015 Full Review Mal Vincent The Virginian-Pilot Surely not for the squeamish, this film will send you away with scars of your own. Rated: 3/4 Feb 25, 2022 Full Review Deborah Hornblow Hartford Courant Screenwriter Boaz Yakin makes a stunning directorial debut with "Fresh," the gripping, finely acted tale of a 12- year-old's life on the mean streets of New York. Rated: 4/4 Sep 15, 2020 Full Review Stephen Hunter Baltimore Sun The movie's two instincts are at complete odds with each other. Rated: 2.5/4 Apr 21, 2015 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (409) audience reviews
Kris P I have one word that describes Fresh Kills, Outstanding! Excellant star power with Jennifer Esposito starring and directing this movie. The cast is awesome. I loved the character of Rose, silent yet strong. From her youth to adulthood she wanted to break the circle and she did! Now we need a sequel! Please see this movie, you will not regret it! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/02/24 Full Review Ronald R Good Movie!! Recommended!!🍿🎥🍿 Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/19/24 Full Review TJ L instant Classic, a Beyond Authentic Portrayal of being a Poor New York City Kid trying to Get Out of the Ghetto Projects by any means Necessary, Fresh is a Realistic inspiration for other 12 year Old's that Run Drug's for Drug Dealers Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/22/23 Full Review Leticia q 88 about 90 uhhhhhhh Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 11/18/23 Full Review Timothy B Awesome movie on many levels. Love the last scene: after he executes the plan to the very end to save his sister and himself, he breaks down in front of his father, who can't hide his shame for falling short of what his son needed. One of many excellent scenes in a well thought out, symbolic, and powerful movie. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/24/23 Full Review Daniel Amazing story — metaphor galore. Samuel L is limited role in this — but he's magnificent Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis Fresh (Sean Nelson) is a 12-year-old drug dealer who finds himself trapped in a web of poverty, corruption and racial tension in Brooklyn, New York. When his drug-addict sister Nichole (N'Bushe Wright) starts sleeping with local drug lord Esteban (Giancarlo Esposito), Fresh calls upon the skills he learned playing chess with his alcoholic father and speed-chess champion Sam (Samuel L. Jackson) and devises a complex strategy that will free both himself and his sister.
Director
Boaz Yakin
Producer
Lawrence Bender, Randy Ostrow
Screenwriter
Boaz Yakin
Production Co
Miramax
Rating
R
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
May 23, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$7.7M
Runtime
1h 52m
Sound Mix
Surround, Stereo
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