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Harsh Times

Play trailer Poster for Harsh Times R 2006 1h 55m Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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48% Tomatometer 94 Reviews 55% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Jim is a Gulf War veteran, and he believes it is his sworn duty to protect Americans by policing the streets of Los Angeles. His dreams are shattered when he is rejected by the Los Angeles Police Department leaving him and his Mexican paramour in the lurch. Jim is soon offered a position in the Department of Homeland Security leading him to recruit his unemployed best friend Mike to carve a path of devastation across the city.
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Harsh Times

Harsh Times

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Critics Consensus

Despite a dedicated performance by Christian Bale, Harsh Times suffers from a heavy-handed and overly bleak plot.

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Critics Reviews

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Brian Tallerico UGO Mar 24, 2007
It's an amazing performance, one of the best of the year, with Bale truly making you believe in this over-the-top character. Go to Full Review Josh Rosenblatt Austin Chronicle Nov 25, 2006
3/5
Harsh Times wins in the end by keeping its fingers wrapped tightly around its viewers' throats. Go to Full Review Rex Reed Observer Nov 15, 2006
Harsh Times is an hour-by-hour diary of two crazy, unreliable, irresponsible dudes trying to find a way to fit into the same society they hate, facing one hurdle after another until they appear to butcher half of Los Angeles. Go to Full Review Fred Topel Hollywood.com Nov 20, 2008
2/5
Brian Holcomb CinemaBlend May 5, 2008
3/5
A crazy little film, modest in its scope but grand in its ambition. It paints it's story in loud primary colors, with intense pressure cooker characterizations. Go to Full Review Ted Murphy Murphy's Movie Reviews Jul 14, 2007
C
HARSH TIMES is a portrait of a male-dominated world and inChristian Bale's fierce performance, Ayer has found the perfect actor. It's just unfortunate that the screenplay feels like a left-over from an era that has passed. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad Oct 19, 2026 Harsh Times is a 2.5 star Movie! See more Ben B @suikofreak412 Jul 8, 2026 I actually really liked this movie See more Matt G @RT83895044 Sep 30, 2025 There is nothing on this earth cooler to Jim and Mike than drinking beers. See more Steven T @RT64860949 Dec 22, 2024 Not an easy movie to watch but the acting is great. Bale, before he was really a huge star, is incredible. Apt title. See more Stephen H @RT54042133 Nov 11, 2024 Underrated film. Great performances all around. See more Michael R @RT20874625 Jul 4, 2024 The two main characters bring this movie alive. Good soundtrack. Another Ayers gem. See more Read all reviews
Harsh Times

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Cast & Crew

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David Ayer

Director

Christian Bale

Jim Davis

Freddy Rodriquez

Mike Alonzo

Eva Longoria

Sylvia

Terry Crews

Darrell

Noel Gugliemi

Flaco

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Harsh Times

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Movie Info

Synopsis Jim is a Gulf War veteran, and he believes it is his sworn duty to protect Americans by policing the streets of Los Angeles. His dreams are shattered when he is rejected by the Los Angeles Police Department leaving him and his Mexican paramour in the lurch. Jim is soon offered a position in the Department of Homeland Security leading him to recruit his unemployed best friend Mike to carve a path of devastation across the city.
Director
David Ayer
Producer
Andrea Sperling, David Ayer
Screenwriter
David Ayer
Distributor
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co
Andrea Sperling Productions, Crave Films, C.M. Films, Harsh Times LLC
Rating
R (Language|Drug Use|Strong Violence)
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 10, 2006, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 13, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$3.3M
Runtime
1h 55m
Sound Mix
SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby SRD
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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