Palmetto (1998)
A sun-scorched neo-noir where a wronged man's hunger for payback lands him deep in a web of seduction, betrayal, and murder.
Palmetto - Movie Information
- Original Title: Palmetto
- Release Year: 1998
- Directed by: Volker Schlöndorff
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Crime, Mystery, Thriller
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 54m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): February 20, 1998 (United States - R)
- Alternative Titles: Just Another Sucker (US), Ещё один простак (RU)
- Production Companies: Castle Rock Entertainment, Rialto Films
- Production Countries: United States of America, Germany
Palmetto - Plot
After being released from prison on a bum charge, Harry Barber is out for payback to regain his lost two years. He's hired by Mrs. Malroux to fake the kidnapping of her stepdaughter (the daughter of a dying millionaire). He discovers that he is being set up on multiple levels and will soon face a longer sentence if he doesn't prove the truth.
Palmetto - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the deception unfold from the very first frame.
In a town this bad, it's no use being good.
Where to Watch Palmetto
Looking for where to watch Palmetto?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
Palmetto - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Volker Schlöndorff
Main Cast
- Woody Harrelson
- Gina Gershon
- Elisabeth Shue
- Rolf Hoppe
- Michael Rapaport
- Chloë Sevigny
- Tom Wright
- Marc Macaulay
- Joe Hickey
- Ralph Wilcox
Writers
- E. Max Frye
Producers
- Matthias Wendlandt
Palmetto - FAQs
Who are the main actors in Palmetto?
Palmetto features Woody Harrelson as the hapless ex-con Harry Barber, alongside Elisabeth Shue as the seductive Rhea Malroux and Gina Gershon as Nina. The supporting cast includes Michael Rapaport, Chloë Sevigny, Rolf Hoppe, and Tom Wright, rounding out this twisty neo-noir ensemble.
Is Palmetto based on a book or true story?
Palmetto is based on a novel — specifically Just Another Sucker by American crime writer Charles Williams, published in 1961. It's not based on a true story. Screenwriter E. Max Frye adapted the source material, transplanting the story to the sun-baked Florida Gulf Coast town of Palmetto.
What is Palmetto about?
Palmetto follows Harry Barber, a bitter journalist freshly released from prison, who gets lured into a fake kidnapping scheme by a wealthy man's alluring wife. What seems like easy money quickly unravels into a labyrinth of double-crosses, murder, and manipulation — classic neo-noir territory where no one is who they seem.
Where can you stream or watch Palmetto?
You can watch Palmetto on several platforms. It's available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. If you prefer free viewing, check out YouTube Free (with ads), Hoopla, or Plex Channel — no subscription required for those last three.
Who directed Palmetto and what is his style?
Palmetto was directed by Volker Schlöndorff, the acclaimed German filmmaker best known for The Tin Drum, which won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1980. With Palmetto, Schlöndorff ventured into American neo-noir, bringing a cool, European sensibility to the sun-drenched Florida setting and its morally compromised characters.
What is the age rating for Palmetto?
Palmetto is rated R by the MPA, meaning it's intended for audiences 17 and older. The rating reflects the film's adult content, including sexual situations, violence, and mature themes tied to its neo-noir storyline of deception, manipulation, and crime.
Is Elisabeth Shue's femme fatale role in Palmetto memorable?
Elisabeth Shue delivers one of her more underrated performances as Rhea Malroux, the calculating stepmother who sets the whole dangerous scheme in motion. Playing against her girl-next-door image, Shue leans fully into the femme fatale archetype — sultry, manipulative, and utterly convincing as the woman pulling Harry Barber's strings.
What are similar films to Palmetto?
If you enjoy Palmetto's neo-noir flavor, you might love Charley Varrick (1973), a sharp crime thriller with a similarly clever setup, or Dreamland (2019) for its atmospheric Southern Gothic mood. For more contemporary picks, The Killer (2022) and Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018) offer equally compelling tales of deception and moral compromise.
More About Palmetto
Explore further details, credits, and data on Palmetto via these trusted resources.