One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest poster

"In this clean, orderly, disciplined world, who needs guys like McMurphy? Everybody."

Movie · 1975 · 2h 15m · Released · Rated R · Drama

Synopsis

A petty criminal fakes insanity to serve his sentence in a mental ward rather than prison. He soon finds himself as a leader to the other patients—and an enemy to the cruel, domineering nurse who runs the ward.

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One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest trailer

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Streaming availability via JustWatch

Cast

  • Jack Nicholson as Randle Patrick McMurphy
  • Brad Dourif as Billy Bibbit
  • Louise Fletcher as Nurse Mildred Ratched
  • Danny DeVito as Martini
  • William Redfield as Dale Harding
  • Scatman Crothers as Orderly Turkle
  • Christopher Lloyd as Max Taber
  • Will Sampson as Chief Bromden
  • Dean R. Brooks as Dr. John Spivey
  • Michael Berryman as Ellis

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BingeNext's take

If you’re in the mood for a gripping drama that really sticks with you, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is a classic worth watching. Jack Nicholson leads the cast with a powerful performance as a petty criminal who pretends to be insane to avoid prison, only to become a key figure among the patients in a mental ward. The tension between him and the strict nurse who runs the ward adds a lot of emotional weight and conflict. It’s a story about rebellion, control, and the human spirit that feels both intense and personal. With a runtime of just over two hours, it’s a film you can settle into for an evening when you want something thoughtful and compelling. If you’ve enjoyed movies like Fight Club or The Green Mile, this one will likely resonate with you too.

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