Spun

Watch Spun

"The ultimate speed freak's tale."
  • R
  • 2002
  • 1 hr 41 min
  • 6.7  (40,561)
  • 41

Spun is a dark comedy movie released in 2002. The movie is directed by Jonas Åkerlund and written by Will De Los Santos and Creighton Vero. The movie follows the life of Ross (Jason Schwartzman), a young man who has a serious drug addiction problem. Ross is a low-life, drug-addicted junkie who lives in Los Angeles, taking and dealing meth. The first scene of the movie sets a frenetic and disturbing tone, introducing Ross's equally disturbed friends, Nikki (Brittany Murphy) who is a stripper and Ross’s girlfriend, Spider Mike (John Leguizamo) who is his meth dealer, and Frisbee (Patrick Fugit) who is a wide-eyed drug user.

Ross's life revolves around taking and selling methamphetamine, which he does with Spider Mike’s help. Ross owes money to a guy named "The Cook" (Mickey Rourke) who is very ruthless and dangerous. One day, The Cook kidnaps Ross and orders him to make a large batch of methamphetamine, promising him money and freedom if he succeeds. However, Ross's addiction and paranoia impede him, and his life spirals out of control.

Throughout the movie, the story is narrated by a friendly, drugged-out speed freak named The Cartoon (played by an unrecognizable version of Woody Harrelson). The narration adds to the drug-fueled energy and craziness of the movie.

The movie is violent, often disturbing, and flows like a stream of consciousness. The plot doesn't follow a linear structure and jumps back and forth in time. The characters are far from sympathetic, and the movie's tone is dark, but it manages to evoke a sense of empathy towards these broken individuals.

The film's visual style is experimental, and it portrays the drug-induced haze through distorted camera angles, rapid jump cuts, and vivid colors. The movie is a visceral, fast-paced experience that never lets up in its intensity. The cinematography by Eric Broms is spectacular, contributing to the film’s vibrant aesthetic.

The acting is the standout element of the movie. Jason Schwartzman, delivers an impressive and sincere performance as Ross, who is always looking for his next fix. He is convincing in conveying a sense of vulnerability as the character's life crumbles around him. Patrick Fugit's character, Frisbee, brings a certain likability and naivety to the movie, while John Leguizamo plays the over-the-top and volatile Spider Mike that serves as a good contrast to Schwartzman’s subdued performance. Brittany Murphy, in her first big post-Clueless role, also gives a standout performance as Nikki, the troubled girlfriend of Ross.

Overall Spun is not for everyone, with its dark and uncompromising attitude towards its subject matter. It is not a movie for the faint of heart and requires a strong stomach. However, if you can take it, the movie rewards the viewer with an intense and unique cinematic experience.

Spun is a 2002 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 41 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7 and a MetaScore of 41.

Spun
Description
Where to Watch Spun
Spun is available to watch free on Peacock, Plex, Tubi TV and Kanopy. It's also available to stream, download and buy on demand at Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, YouTube VOD and Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent Spun for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    2002
  • MPAA Rating
    R
  • Runtime
    1 hr 41 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    6.7  (40,561)
  • Metascore
    41
Watch all of
Do you have Paramount+?
Ad Info
No thanks, I'm not interested in Paramount+