Tenderness (2009)
A psychological crime thriller in which a detective's obsession with a teenage suspect collides with a runaway girl's dangerous fascination.
Tenderness - Movie Information
- Original Title: Tenderness
- Release Year: 2009
- Directed by: John Polson
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Crime, Drama, Thriller
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 41m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): January 15, 2009 (Israel), June 26, 2009 (United Kingdom), June 25, 2009 (New Zealand), April 30, 2009 (Australia), November 20, 2009 (Spain)
- Alternative Titles: traqués (FR), Tenderness, la ternura del asesino (ES), Asesino Intimidante (BO), Na Trilha do Assassino (BR)
- Production Companies: Hanson Allen Films, Ideal Partners, TurtleBack Productions, Lionsgate, GreeneStreet Films
- Production Countries: United States of America
Tenderness - Plot
A hardened cop tries to unravel the past to discover whether a violent teenager was responsible for the murder of his family. A confused fifteen-year-old runaway becomes enthralled with the young man.
Tenderness - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a feel for this dark, atmospheric thriller:
The intimacy of the kill
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Tenderness - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- John Polson
Main Cast
- Russell Crowe
- Jon Foster
- Sophie Traub
- Laura Dern
- Alicia Harding
- Michael Kelly
- Alexis Dziena
- Arija Bareikis
- Tim Hopper
- Tanya Clarke
Writers
- Emil Stern
Producers
- John Penotti
- Howard Meltzer
- Charles Randolph
Tenderness - FAQs
What is Tenderness (2009) about?
Tenderness follows Detective Cristofuoro, played by Russell Crowe, who becomes obsessed with proving that a charming but dangerous teenager named Eric Poole murdered his own family. Meanwhile, a troubled 15-year-old runaway named Lori becomes dangerously fascinated with Eric, setting up a tense cat-and-mouse thriller across the American Northeast.
Is Eric Poole actually guilty in Tenderness?
The film keeps Eric Poole's guilt deliberately ambiguous for much of the story, which is central to its tension. Detective Cristofuoro is convinced Eric killed his parents, but proving it is another matter entirely. The narrative slowly peels back the truth, making the question of Eric's culpability one of the film's most compelling threads.
Where can you stream Tenderness (2009)?
You can watch Tenderness for free on Tubi TV, Plex, Plex Channel, and Fawesome, or with ads on The Roku Channel and Fandango at Home Free. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. MovieSphere+ Amazon Channel offers it as a flatrate subscription.
What makes Lori's obsession with Eric so unsettling?
Lori, a confused and vulnerable 15-year-old runaway, is drawn to Eric precisely because of the danger he represents. Her fascination blurs the line between attraction and self-destruction, giving the film a deeply uncomfortable psychological edge. Sophie Traub's performance captures a teenager seeking intensity in all the wrong places, which makes her arc genuinely haunting.
Who are the main actors in Tenderness?
Russell Crowe leads the cast as the relentless Detective Cristofuoro, with Jon Foster playing the enigmatic and dangerous Eric Poole. Sophie Traub portrays the runaway Lori, and Laura Dern appears as Teresa. Michael Kelly and Alexis Dziena round out a strong supporting cast in this tightly wound thriller.
Does Tenderness have a satisfying ending?
Tenderness builds toward a conclusion that prioritizes psychological truth over neat resolution. Rather than delivering a conventional thriller payoff, the film ends on a note that reflects the moral ambiguity running through the entire story. Viewers expecting a clear-cut finale may find it challenging, but those who appreciate nuanced crime drama will find it resonant.
Is Tenderness based on a book or true story?
Tenderness is based on the 1997 novel of the same name by Robert Cormier, a celebrated author known for his dark, psychologically complex young adult fiction. The screenplay was adapted by Emil Stern. While the story is fictional, Cormier's novel drew on real patterns of adolescent violence and manipulation to craft its unsettling narrative.
How was Tenderness received by critics?
Tenderness received a mixed critical reception upon release. Reviewers praised Russell Crowe's committed performance and the film's moody atmosphere, but some felt the pacing was uneven and the adaptation didn't fully capture the depth of Cormier's source novel. It remains a cult-interest title among fans of psychological crime dramas.
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