Sling Blade is a 1996 American thriller drama film directed by Billy Bob Thornton, who also starred in the lead role. It also stars Lucas Black, John Ritter, Dwight Yoakam, Natalie Canerday, and J.T. Walsh. It is based off the short film Some Folks Call It a Sling Blade, which was written by Thornton.
Mentally disabled Karl Childers (Billy Bob Thornton) is released from the mental hospital where he has spent most of his life after murdering his mother and her lover. He soon forms a bond with Frank (Lucas Black), a boy whose father committed suicide. When Frank's mother, Linda (Natalie Canerday), lets Karl stay at their house, her cruel boyfriend, Doyle (Dwight Yoakam), tries to get Karl removed. Determined to protect his friend, Karl devises a way to save Frank from years of Doyle's abuse.
Victims[]
- Jesse - Decapitated by Karl Childers with a sling blade, who thought that he was raping his mother off-screen, mentioned.
- Mrs. Childers - Decapitated by Karl Childers with a sling blade off-screen, mentioned.
- At Least Two Unnamed Women - Raped and murdered by Charles Bushman off-screen, mentioned.
- Mr. Wheatley - Committed suicide in an unknown manner off-screen, mentioned.
- Karl Childers' Unborn Baby Brother - Buried alive by Karl Childers after being aborted by Mr. Childers and Mrs. Childers off-screen, mentioned. Shared kill.
- Doyle Hargraves - Slashed twice in the head by Karl Childers with a lawnmower blade off-camera.
Deaths[]
- Total - 7
- 4 Men
- 3 Women
Kill Counts[]
- Karl Childers - 4 (Institutionalized)
- Charles Bushman - 2 (Institutionalized)
- Mr. Childers - 1 (Alive)
- Mrs. Childers - 1 (Deceased)