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Idle Hands

  • 1999
  • R
  • 1h 32m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
49K
YOUR RATING
Devon Sawa in Idle Hands (1999)
Trailer for Idle Hands
Play trailer2:25
2 Videos
99+ Photos
Body HorrorDark ComedyStoner ComedyTeen HorrorZombie HorrorComedyFantasyHorrorThriller

A teenage slacker's right hand becomes possessed with murderous intent.A teenage slacker's right hand becomes possessed with murderous intent.A teenage slacker's right hand becomes possessed with murderous intent.

  • Director
    • Rodman Flender
  • Writers
    • Terri Hughes Burton
    • Ron Milbauer
  • Stars
    • Devon Sawa
    • Seth Green
    • Elden Henson
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.3/10
    49K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Rodman Flender
    • Writers
      • Terri Hughes Burton
      • Ron Milbauer
    • Stars
      • Devon Sawa
      • Seth Green
      • Elden Henson
    • 238User reviews
    • 66Critic reviews
    • 31Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 nominations total

    Videos2

    Idle Hands
    Trailer 2:25
    Idle Hands
    Idle Hands
    Trailer 0:31
    Idle Hands
    Idle Hands
    Trailer 0:31
    Idle Hands

    Photos143

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    + 137
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    Top cast39

    Edit
    Devon Sawa
    Devon Sawa
    • Anton Tobias
    Seth Green
    Seth Green
    • Mick
    Elden Henson
    Elden Henson
    • Pnub
    Jessica Alba
    Jessica Alba
    • Molly
    Vivica A. Fox
    Vivica A. Fox
    • Debi LeCure
    Christopher Hart
    Christopher Hart
    • The Hand
    Jack Noseworthy
    Jack Noseworthy
    • Randy
    Katie Wright
    Katie Wright
    • Tanya
    Sean Whalen
    Sean Whalen
    • McMacy
    Nicholas Sadler
    Nicholas Sadler
    • Ruck
    • (as Nick Sadler)
    Fred Willard
    Fred Willard
    • Dad Tobias
    Connie Ray
    Connie Ray
    • Mom Tobias
    Steve Van Wormer
    Steve Van Wormer
    • Curtis
    Kelly Monaco
    Kelly Monaco
    • Tiffany
    Timothy Stack
    Timothy Stack
    • Principal Tidwell
    Joey Slotnick
    Joey Slotnick
    • Burger Jungle Manager
    Tom DeLonge
    Tom DeLonge
    • Window server at Burger Jungle
    Sabrina Lu
    • News Reporter
    • Director
      • Rodman Flender
    • Writers
      • Terri Hughes Burton
      • Ron Milbauer
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews238

    6.349.2K
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    Featured reviews

    Mr Parker

    ...and the best performance award for an actress wearing KISS make-up goes to...

    I don't care what anyone else says, I found this movie to be hysterical. For one, it's pretty violent. People get it in disturbing ways here. One comes to mind in particular where someone gets a knitting needle rammed straight into their ear. It's not nice stuff but it's so funny you can't help but laugh. A major question, first and foremost: just what the hell was Vivica A. Fox doing in this movie? I've never used the word slumming before in a sentence but I think it applies here. Devon Sawa is a cool cat. I liked him here and his brand of physical comedy is pretty impressive. Watch Final Destination after seeing this and I think you'll wonder why we haven't seen more of him. Seth Green is cool and so are Elden Henson and Jack Noseworthy. And for Jessica Alba fans, she's in here, in all her pre-Dark Angel glory. I've never used the word nubile but I think it definitely applies here. She looks so good in this movie that it hurts my chest. She's one of the finer points (literally) of the movie. There's a chick in this movie wearing Paul Stanley's KISS makeup that should email me so I can give her my home address. There's parts of the movie that kinda fall flat but that's to be expected. Check this movie out if non-pc humor and bad mojo violence is your thing. Especially if you liked Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn, I think you'll dig this picture. And if you appreciate Jessica Alba in any way. Rating: *** out of *****.
    7mattymatt4ever

    Idle Hands Do Devilishly Good Work!

    Watching "Idle Hands" is like watching an R-rated rendition of "Beetlejuice." It has the same tone as the Tim Burton classic. Though it is basically a dark comedy--emphasize the word "dark" as much as you can--there are some moments of graphic violence that the casual moviegoer might not expect out of a comedy. But not all comedies are meant to be like Mel Brooks movies. Peter Berg explained it perfectly on the David Letterman show when he was talking about "Very Bad Things," which he wrote and directed. He said, "Just like how some people, like me, like our food spicy--some people also want their comedy spicy." Just like "Very Bad Things," "Idle Hands" is a grotesque, slightly off-putting comedy that won't be taken easily, but that's part of its appeal. It gives you that "dark comic rush." And there are moments where you can't help but laugh hysterically.

    Seth Green and the other boy--I don't know his name--have some extremely funny moments. Most of the jokes have to do with scatological and drug-related elements, but they work perfectly. This is not for the prudish, not tailor-made for the sick and twisted (though they would probably take delight), but makes intelligent use of gruesome and coarse gags. I know that doesn't sound appealing on paper, but you'll see what I mean. See for yourself.

    "Idle Hands" is not for all tastes, it's not sophisticated and I would call it a popcorn movie...but you'd probably throw up your popcorn if you were to watch this flick. As for eye candy (for the guys) we have the stunningly beautiful Jessica Alba, who never gets naked (Dammit!) but struts around in a revealing blue nightie with her beautiful cleavage on display. She's just one of those extremely cute babes that you just want to cuddle like a teddy bear.

    Idle Hands may do the Devil's work, but it makes heavenly entertainment!

    My score: 7 (out of 10)
    8kosmasp

    Hand Killer Job

    Now that may sound like innuendo and if you think so - well the movie gives you lots of reasons to feel there is even more innuendo. Be it our main character hiding in the bush(es) of his neighbor or proclaiming he isn't able to control his hand. Something boys may like to claim when they discover their sexuality I reckon.

    But while this has a bit of nudity (literally) and some hot situations, it does focus more on the horror and comedy stuff it has. It does get violent and it does have blood in it - but it also is as funny as it gets. And one of the reasons is how Devon Sawa is able to do all the physical stuff himself. He says himself he was young and just threw himself in everything - have to admit very well done.

    I liked the movie back when it came out and I still like it - it seems to had some issues when it was released because of a massive school schooting in America - Politicians blaming movies and games for that - which those involved sarcastically take apart in the commentary on the newly released Blu Ray.

    There are so many funny and good moments in here ... but there are also questionable decisions. Jessica Alba being attracted to someone who has shows red flags than you can imagine. Do not watch this taking it apart for those reasons if you can - the movie does not tell us what we should do when it comes to the opposite sex. This after all is a movie - if you can't detach that from your moral views, you may have/take issues with the movie.
    8ccthemovieman-1

    Comedy & Horror Seem To Work Well Together

    I thought this was going to be just another dumb teen comedy. After watching the first 10 minutes, I was convinced it was, and was ready to try something else. Well, I am glad I stayed with it. It was very funny and a combination comedy and horror film. Yes, it's humor geared more for teens but people far older than 15 should still get a lot of laughs out of this.

    Warning: some of the scenes are pretty gross, at least for a comedy, but that's what made those particularly scenes funny. Comedy and horror mix well together, anyway.

    The film reminded me a bit of "American Werewolf in London" with the "undead" kids. Despite the absurdity of it, there are a couple of good message in here....but, generally, this is purely escapist fun and nothing else.
    7Mash-the-stampede

    "Go! Go! Buffalo!"

    "Idle Hands" is a classic 90's comedy/horror flick which although swooped a little under the radar - it is still a must-see film for fans of horrors such as the "Evil Dead" series (especially army of darkness) and/or teen comedies like "American Pie".

    "Idle Hands" works well by striking the perfect balance between comedy and horror and this works extremely well. The cast are brilliant especially Seth Green who is always great to watch in comedic roles. Reletavely unknown actor Devon Sawa plays the lead character 'Anton', who's hand gets possessed by an evil entity and goes on a murderous rampage! Though I have never seen Devon Sawa in any films prior or since "Idle Hands" - he is excellent in his role and the way he makes his hand move wildly and mis-behave really makes it look like it is not controlled by himself! In fact, one of the funniest scenes is a make-out scene between 'Anton' and 'Molly' (Alba) in when his hand keeps trying to strangle her! It's hilarious!!!

    American skate-punk band, 'The Offspring' also make an amusing cameo in the film and also play a tune "off with her head" from their debut self-titled album which was a bonus! I won't give away what happens to singer Dexter Holland but it is pretty amusing!

    In conclusion, "Idle hands" is a great late 90's comedy/horror flick which should have been bigger than it was.

    Most definitely worth a watch!

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Jack Noseworthy (Randy) and Katie Wright (Tanya) did not know they were half-siblings until they met on the set of this movie.
    • Goofs
      When Anton pulls away after hitting Debi with the Ford, both hands can be seen on the steering wheel.
    • Quotes

      Anton: Hey, I didn't kill anyone on purpose, okay?

      Mick: Yeah, well, we weren't in hell! I mean, there was this bright white light at the end of a long tunnel, right, and there was these chicks' voices, and that music...

      Anton: Music?

      Pnub: Yeah, kinda uncool music, like, Enya. And these chicks' voices, they were saying, "come to us, come towards the light".

      Anton: So what happened?

      Mick: We figured, fuck it, I mean, it was really far!

    • Alternate versions
      The DVD contains the original ending, set in the school's gym pool. The producers and the director decided to shoot a different ending because the original ending was very different in its style of humour and horror and they thought it didn't fit into the film.
    • Connections
      Edited into Idle Hands: Alternate Ending (1999)
    • Soundtracks
      Peppyrock
      Written and Performed by BTK

      Courtesy of Ignition Records/Tommy Boy Music

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 30, 1999 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • El diablo metió la mano
    • Filming locations
      • Pasadena, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Columbia Pictures
      • Licht/Mueller Film Corporation
      • Team Todd
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $25,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $4,152,230
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $1,807,181
      • May 2, 1999
    • Gross worldwide
      • $4,152,523
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 32m(92 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • DTS
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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