🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Shari Springer Berman
- Genre: Drama, Comedy, Music
- Release year: 2015
- Runtime (length): 1h 53min
- IMDb rating: 5.9/10 (6.1K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 23%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A Vermont teen moves to NYC, discovers punk rock and questionable parenting, and accidentally a family, all while navigating the 80s East Village scene.
🍿 10,000 Saints: Detailed Plot Synopsis
New Year’s Eve Tragedy
The film opens in Vermont during the late 1980s, where Jude, a disaffected teenager, lives with his adopted mother. He spends most of his time with his best friend, Teddy. During a New Year’s Eve party, Teddy tragically dies due to drug use, leaving Jude devastated and Eliza, a visiting girl from New York City, pregnant.

Moving to New York City
Following Teddy’s death and Eliza’s pregnancy, Jude decides to move to New York City to live with his estranged father, Les, a pot dealer living in the East Village. He grapples with his newfound reality, and his father’s unconventional lifestyle. Jude also reconnects with Eliza, who is now living in the city with her mother.

Navigating Relationships and Choices
As Jude and Eliza navigate their challenging situations, they form an unlikely bond. Eliza is torn between keeping the baby or giving it up for adoption, while Jude struggles to find his place in a world filled with drugs, punk rock, and social upheaval. The Tompkins Square Park Riots provide a backdrop to their personal struggles, highlighting the turbulence of the era.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Jude (Asa Butterfield): A Vermont teenager who moves to New York City and navigates complex family relationships and self-discovery.
- Les (Ethan Hawke): Jude’s irresponsible and drug-using father living in the East Village of New York City.
- Eliza (Hailee Steinfeld): A pregnant teenager who grapples with difficult life choices and seeks support from those around her.
- Diane (Emily Mortimer): Eliza’s mother and Les’s girlfriend, struggling with her daughter’s choices and her own life.
- Johnny (Emile Hirsch): Teddy’s brother, a straight-edge punk rocker who tries to guide Jude and Eliza.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Les: “So you got any New Year resolutions, Princess Di?” – Les asks Diane about her New Year’s resolutions in a casual, somewhat inappropriate manner.
- Les: “With me you get the whole package: sex and drugs.” – Les says this jokingly to Diane, highlighting his carefree and self-deprecating attitude.
💰Box Office
- Budget: N/A
- Domestic Gross: $59,333
- Worldwide Gross: $59,333
💥 10,000 Saints Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so ‘10,000 Saints’ really hit me in the feels. I grew up in the suburbs, but I always romanticized that 80s NYC vibe, and this movie nails it. Asa Butterfield is great as the lost teen, and Hailee Steinfeld’s performance as the pregnant Eliza is heartbreaking. The scene where they’re all dealing with the aftermath of Teddy’s death really stuck with me; it felt so raw and real. I found it a bit depressing but still compelling.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of coming-of-age dramas”
- “Viewers interested in 1980s New York City culture”
- “Audiences who appreciate indie films with strong performances”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Drug use”
- “Teen pregnancy”
- “Mature language”
- “Brief violence”
Professional Reviews
- IndieWire: “Despite a strong cast and evocative setting, ‘10,000 Saints’ suffers from a convoluted plot that tries to juggle too many themes, ultimately diluting its emotional impact.
- Variety: “The film’s strength lies in its performances, particularly Hailee Steinfeld’s portrayal of a pregnant teenager navigating complex family dynamics. However, the narrative lacks focus and the pacing feels uneven.
- The Hollywood Reporter: “‘10,000 Saints’ boasts a talented ensemble cast but fails to deliver a cohesive story. The film meanders through various subplots without fully exploring any of them, resulting in a disjointed and ultimately unsatisfying experience.
Audience Reactions
Hailee Steinfeld’s performance was a standout, bringing depth and emotion to her character.: Viewers appreciated the film’s nostalgic portrayal of 1980s New York City and its exploration of complex family relationships.
The soundtrack perfectly captured the punk rock energy of the era, enhancing the overall atmosphere.: Many found the characters relatable and the story thought-provoking, despite its darker themes.
Overall Consensus: A coming-of-age drama with strong performances and a nostalgic setting, but hampered by a somewhat unfocused plot and underdeveloped subplots.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film is based on the novel “Ten Thousand Saints” by Eleanor Henderson.”
- “The movie captures the atmosphere of the East Village in the 1980s, including references to CBGB’s and the Tompkins Square Park Riots.”
🖥️ How to Watch 10,000 Saints?
As of October 2024, “10,000 Saints” is available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms. Check services like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu for rental and purchase options. Availability may vary by region. It is not currently streaming on any subscription service.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed 10,000 Saints, you might like these similar films:
- Kids (1995): Depicts a raw and unflinching look at teenagers navigating sex, drugs, and relationships in 1990s New York City.
- Thirteen (2003): Explores the troubled lives of teenage girls, dealing with issues of identity, peer pressure, and dysfunctional families.
- Almost Famous (2000): Captures a coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of the music scene, similar to the punk rock elements in ‘10,000 Saints’.
🛒 10,000 Saints Related Products
- CBGB: The Origins of Hardcore from the Bowery: A photographic celebration of the iconic club that launched punk rock. This book showcases the raw energy and history of CBGB, essential for any fan of the movie’s setting.
- The Get Down: The Complete Collection: A Netflix series focusing on the rise of hip-hop in 1970s New York City. Immerse yourself in the sounds and stories of a pivotal era in music history, similar to the punk scene in 10,000 Saints.
- Ramones T-Shirt: Officially licensed Ramones t-shirt. Show off your love for punk rock and the spirit of the 1980s with this classic band tee.
- Vintage 80s High Top Sneakers: Capture the essence of 1980s street style with a pair of high-top sneakers. Evoke the aesthetic of the characters in the movie.
🎧 Soundtrack
10,000 Saints features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
No, ‘10,000 Saints’ is based on the novel of the same name by Eleanor Henderson. While it is not a true story, it is set against the backdrop of the real-life Tompkins Square Park Riots and explores themes relevant to the 1980s.
The title is derived from a scripture reading that is referenced during a funeral scene in the movie. It is implied in the movie to represent the lost, broken and marginalized people who were part of the New York City landscape during that time period.
The film was primarily filmed in New York City, specifically in the East Village, to capture the gritty atmosphere of the 1980s. Some scenes were also filmed in Tarrytown, New York.
🔥 Bonus Content
Avan Jogia Comes Of Age In New Film ‘Ten Thousand Saints’
Ever wonder what it’s like for an actor to dive into a coming-of-age role? Avan Jogia shares some fascinating insights about his character in ‘Ten Thousand Saints’! It’s cool to hear how much he connects with the story.
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