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A Thousand Junkies

  • 2017
  • R
  • 1h 15m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
477
YOUR RATING
A Thousand Junkies (2017)
ComedyDrama

Things grow more and more desperate, and ridiculous, as three heroin addicts drive all over Los Angeles in search of what they need.Things grow more and more desperate, and ridiculous, as three heroin addicts drive all over Los Angeles in search of what they need.Things grow more and more desperate, and ridiculous, as three heroin addicts drive all over Los Angeles in search of what they need.

  • Director
    • Tommy Swerdlow
  • Writers
    • Tommy Swerdlow
    • T.J. Bowen
  • Stars
    • TJ Bowen
    • Patricia Castelo Branco
    • Dennice Cisneros
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.2/10
    477
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Tommy Swerdlow
    • Writers
      • Tommy Swerdlow
      • T.J. Bowen
    • Stars
      • TJ Bowen
      • Patricia Castelo Branco
      • Dennice Cisneros
    • 19User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win total

    Photos10

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    Top cast16

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    TJ Bowen
    • TJ
    Patricia Castelo Branco
    • Ludmila
    Dennice Cisneros
    Dennice Cisneros
    • TJs Girlfriend
    David Darmstetter
    • Liquor Store Owner
    Dinarte de Freitas
    Dinarte de Freitas
    • Igor
    Kyrie DeMille
    • Deborah
    Blake Heron
    Blake Heron
    • Blake
    Lucinda Jenney
    Lucinda Jenney
    • Blake's Mom
    Savanah Mandel
    • Ruby
    EricJohn Priestley
    • Car Salesman
    Bill Pullman
    Bill Pullman
    • Bill Pullman
    Eddy Rimada
    • Day Laborer
    Jerry Stahl
    Jerry Stahl
    • Cab Driver
    Karen Swerdlow
    • Karen
    Tommy Swerdlow
    Tommy Swerdlow
    • Tommy
    Steven Weber
    Steven Weber
    • Moshe
    • Director
      • Tommy Swerdlow
    • Writers
      • Tommy Swerdlow
      • T.J. Bowen
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews19

    6.2477
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    Featured reviews

    8mps-09977

    Very close to my experience. Rewatch for the sequel.

    I know some people have said this movie is unrealistic, but it was more or less pretty similar to my experience. It's been over a decade since I lived that life, but it brought back some painful memories and reminded me how lucky I am. I thought the movie did a great job of portraying what most days are like for a addict. I have been all of these characters wrap into one. Most days are the same as the day before. So, if you want to see the sequel, just rewatch this movie. Side note: Seems as though no matter where you live the dope man takes forever. Every addict has the same experience. "I'm 5 min away.... No go here instead, I'm 15 min away... I'm coming over the bridge I'm 10 min away" Just goes to show, they sell drugs for a reason. Because they're horrible businessmen.
    10sampsonart

    VERY Realistic actually... characters are playing themselves who they used to be... literally

    The boneheads who are saying this is unrealistic either have no experience or don't understand that these are what you call "functioning heroin addicts" and yes they do exist and this is EXACTLY how it is for some. Of course it didnt show the really really bad side of the addiction because these guys n this movie aren't at that stage yet with their problem.. these guys are totally functioning addicts

    Also for anyone saying it wasn't realistic, watch the interview with the 3 actors about their characters. They all play themselves (Bill Pullman even plays himself hahaha) and the director (who plays Tommy in the film) is reflecting on his actual life as he was a heroin addict for like 20 years and met the other two characters in AA/NA kinda like how it shows in the film. So this movie is about their experience as addicts so the people saying it's not accurate are just ignorant and don't know what they're talking about because this IS how it is and obviously how it was for them..(their acting was great too because they were playing who they used to be) The only people who will appreciate this film are those who have been there or have been through addiction and can relate in some aspect. Opiate addiction can be pretty unique on its own and like I said not all heroin addicts are homeless gutter dwellers who are dying in an alley. If you can relate at all to this film, you will more than likely love it. Very underrated flick and I applaud the director and writer and everyone else who made this film happen. Great job guys!!
    5rosecalifornia

    Not bad at all...

    I won't do a summary since there is already one.

    Keep in mind if you live in SoCal you understand this is not really a true take on junkies (most of us here have one or more in the family) - it is a joke about junkies. And yes my opinion you should be able to joke about things without Everyone jumping on the PC police wagon.

    This is something not to take serious, but crack a beer eat bbq, relax have a laugh - heck they even tossed in a Russian talking about the Armenians. The three characters pretty much covered most of the personality type - there is always one junkie worried about unpaid warrants and driving.

    Cinematography/scene setting was done nicely, clothing/costumes realistic. It's all just a fun average weekend movie.
    7begob

    Three men in a boat. Sinking

    Three guys start the day in their crappy car, hoping to find a fix of heroin before the sickness sets in.

    A picaresque tale! I guess the title refers to all the junkies who have followed, and are to follow, the same path. This is a nice find, and gives the impression of well studied performances from actors who have seen this behavior in people they know. The only criticism is that the picaresque encounters ain't much violent or humorous - I'm not looking for exaggeration, just the natural absurdity of desperate humans colliding at random, without moralizing. Although there is one judgmental scene, with the charming dancing daughter refusing her dad's plea for help.

    The editing, cinematography and sound are all good, and the pace keeps up nicely. And the LA locations are as romantically ugly as ever, with all that sun-bleached concrete. Outstanding element is the music, which creates some romance out of the hopelessness.

    I wish someone would bless America.
    10bubbakid

    Best Film to End Drug Prohibition

    Amazing story about the futility of the drug war. While not as graphic as it could be this film clearly demonstrates how the criminalization of a medical issue impacts us all. While it does have some funny bits the message is clear...end this drug war now.

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    Related interests

    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama

    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      Blake Heron (1982-2017) died on 8 Sep 2017 due to drug overdose.

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    FAQ16

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 22, 2017 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The House Itself
    • Production companies
      • THI Productions
      • The Factory
      • Whitewater Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 15m(75 min)
    • Color
      • Color

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