Cruising

Al Pacino is Cruising for a killer.

Al Pacino stars in William Friedkin‘s (THE EXORCIST, THE FRENCH CONNECTION) notorious neon-lit time capsule, CRUISING, a polarizing crime thriller that stirred controversy when it was released in 1980 due to both its depiction of the gay community and its thematic exploration of identity and sexuality.

The film follows Detective Steve Burns (Pacino) who goes undercover to infiltrate New York City’s seedy subculture to lure a vicious psychopathic serial killer who is scouring New York City’s gay clubs for victims out of the shadows. To do this, he is ordered to don leather attire, hang at the city’s S&M joints, and keep an eye out for the killer. But as Steve becomes immersed in club-hopping, he begins to identify with the subculture more than he expected. Meanwhile, as Steve begins to behave distantly around his girlfriend, the police force’s homophobia becomes apparent and the killer remains at large. With Paul Sorvino, Karen Allen, Richard Cox, Joe Spinell.

“The film is ugly and mean, but art is fundamentally a search for the truth, and when the vision starts to become unpalatable, is it suddenly right for us to complain?” (Washington Blade)

“At its best, this William Friedkin effort is an American giallo and a document of a community just before HIV/AIDS came along and demolished it.” (Nashville Scene)

“William Friedkin’s ‘Cruising’ is a work of art.” (Boston Globe)

“It’s a lurid, twisted film that brings you into its world and completely works you over.” (San Francisco Chronicle)

“‘Cruising’ is a mediocre thriller but an amazing time capsule — a heady, horny flashback to the last gasp of full-blown sexual abandon, and easily the most graphic depiction of gay sex ever seen in a mainstream movie.” (Village Voice)

Wednesday, July 30
Doors 9:00 pm | Movie 9:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.
Tickets HERE

CRUISNG (William Friedkin, 1980 / 18A / 102 mins) A police officer goes undercover in the underground S&M gay subculture of New York City to catch a serial killer who is preying on gay men.


*Minors OK. Must be 19+ w/ID for bar service.
*Rio Theatre Groupons and passes OK for any single film only. Please redeem at the door.
*We recommend purchasing your tickets in advance at www.riotheatretickets.ca. If a screening or live event is not sold out, the remaining tickets will be available for purchase at the Rio Theatre’s Box Office prior to showtime (subject to availability).
*Our box office is typically open 30 minutes before showtime. All seating is General Admission; please arrive 20-30 minutes prior to showtime to ensure great seats, and time for treats at concession.
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*All Rio Theatre tickets are final sale. No refunds or exchanges.

When New York is caught in the grip of a sadistic serial killer who preys on patrons of the city's underground bars, young rookie Steve Burns infiltrates the S&M subculture to try and lure him out of the shadows.
  • Budget
    $11,000,000.00
  • Revenue
    $19,814,523.00
  • IMDB

About The Rio

Voted the #1 Independent Theatre in Vancouver, the Rio Theatre is a multimedia venue featuring arthouse, mainstream and cult-classic cinemas as well as live entertainment. Built in 1938, the Rio has been fully restored with a state of the art digital projector, surround sound, a huge stage and 420 luxurious seats.

1660 East Broadway, Vancouver, BC

Phone: 604.879.3456

Info Line: 604.878.3456

Email: [email protected]

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