Palmetto 1998
"In a town this bad, it's no use being good."
Palmetto (1998), a neo-noir crime thriller directed by Volker Schlöndorff, plunges audiences into the murky waters of deceit where trust is a luxury few can afford. Woody Harrelson stars as Harry Barber, a man freshly released from prison, hungry for redemption and revenge.
Director: Volker Schlöndorff
Cast
Woody Harrelson
Harry Barber
Gina Gershon
Nina
Elisabeth Shue
Rhea Malroux
Rolf Hoppe
Felix Malroux
Michael Rapaport
Donnelly
Chloë Sevigny
Odette
Tom Wright
John Renick
Marc Macaulay
Miles Meadows
Joe Hickey
Lawyer
Ralph Wilcox
Judge
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Palmetto (1998) about?
Harry Barber, newly freed from prison, takes a job faking a kidnapping for a wealthy client only to uncover a tangled conspiracy. As he digs deeper, he discovers he's been set up to take the fall in a high-stakes game of betrayal. The film blends crime, mystery, and psychological tension in a sun-soaked Southern setting.
Who directed Palmetto?
Palmetto was directed by Volker Schlöndorff, the acclaimed German filmmaker known for his work in both European and American cinema.
Who stars in Palmetto?
The film features Woody Harrelson as Harry Barber, with standout performances from Gina Gershon, Elisabeth Shue, Michael Rapaport, and Chloë Sevigny in key roles.
Is Palmetto (1998) worth watching?
Palmetto delivers a gripping neo-noir experience with strong performances and a twisty plot, though it leans more toward the atmospheric than the outright thrilling. Fans of crime dramas with moral complexity will likely find it rewarding, even if it's not a mainstream blockbuster.
How long is Palmetto?
Palmetto has a runtime of 114 minutes, offering a tight yet immersive viewing experience.
🎥 Trailer
About Palmetto (1998) — A Neo-Noir Crime Thriller with Woody Harrelson
Palmetto (1998), a neo-noir crime thriller directed by Volker Schlöndorff, plunges audiences into the murky waters of deceit where trust is a luxury few can afford. Woody Harrelson stars as Harry Barber, a man freshly released from prison, hungry for redemption and revenge. When he's hired to orchestrate a fake kidnapping by the enigmatic Mrs. Malroux (Gina Gershon), Harry quickly realizes he's been lured into a web of lies spun by the wealthy elite of a sun-drenched but morally bankrupt town. As the layers of manipulation peel back, the line between victim and perpetrator blurs in this tense exploration of greed, betrayal, and the cost of second chances.
Grounded in the noir tradition, Palmetto drips with atmosphere—its sun-bleached visuals contrasting sharply with the darkness of its plot. The film weaves a tale of moral ambiguity, where every character has an angle and no one is who they seem. With sharp dialogue and a gripping narrative, Schlöndorff crafts a story that keeps viewers guessing until the final twist, making it a compelling watch for fans of crime mysteries and psychological thrillers.
