IMDb 5.4 2009 HD

Tenderness

Tenderness

2009
Crime Drama Thriller
101 min R USA
5.196 / 10
5.4 IMDB

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…

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Director John Polson / Eric Henriquez / Annie Tan / Catherine Gore
Starring
Russell Crowe / Jon Foster / Sophie Traub / Laura Dern / Alicia Harding / Michael Kelly / Alexis Dziena / Arija Bareikis

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

gritty dark intense unsettling raw character-driven melancholic disturbing compelling bleak psychological tense

Reviews

G
Genevieve Moreau
Apr 30, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

'Tenderness' offers a stark, character-driven examination of a violent crime and its ripple effects. Russell Crowe grounds the film as a detective navigating a morally complex case. The real focus, however, shifts to the unsettling bond between a…

B
Barnaby Finch
Apr 30, 2026
2.5 / 5
2.5

While boasting a strong lead in Russell Crowe, 'Tenderness' struggles to fully coalesce into a compelling narrative. The film attempts to dissect the psychology of a violent teenager and the detective investigating him, alongside a curious runaway. The…

I
Isabelle Dubois
Apr 30, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

A potent exploration of innocence lost and the enduring search for understanding, 'Tenderness' is a film that stays with you. Russell Crowe excels as the detective tasked with untangling a grim family murder, but the heart of the…

M
Marcus Bellweather
Apr 30, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

This is a film that trades in mood and atmosphere, plunging viewers into a world of fractured lives and simmering violence. Russell Crowe’s presence lends a solid foundation, but it’s the younger cast, particularly Jon Foster and Sophie…

E
Eleanor Vance
Apr 30, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

Russell Crowe anchors 'Tenderness' with a weary gravitas, playing a detective wrestling with a disturbing case involving a violent teenager. The film's strength lies in its unflinching portrayal of troubled youth and the desperate search for connection. Jon…

FAQs

'Tenderness' provides a challenging and thought-provoking viewing experience. It’s not a film that offers easy answers or comfortable resolutions. Instead, it immerses the audience in a gritty, psychologically dense narrative that explores difficult themes. The performances are compelling, and the tone is consistently serious, creating a palpable sense of unease. Viewers looking for a character-driven drama that lingers long after the credits will find much to consider.