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American History X

American History X is a 1998 American crime drama film directed by Tony Kaye and written by David McKenna.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

American History X is a 1998 American crime drama film directed by Tony Kaye and written by David McKenna. It stars Edward Norton and Edward Furlong as brothers in Los Angeles drawn into white supremacist and neo-Nazi violence, with the story centred on racism, hate, and attempted redemption.

Plot

The film centres on Derek Vinyard, a white supremacist and skinhead from Los Angeles, whose violent beliefs lead to imprisonment. After prison, he tries to change and prevent Danny from repeating his mistakes.

Production

American History X was Tony Kaye’s first feature film as director, from a screenplay by David McKenna. Reports and reviews note its use of black-and-white and colour cinematography to distinguish timelines.

Reception

The film received positive critical attention and became known for its intense treatment of racism and extremism. Edward Norton’s performance is commonly highlighted in the available listings and reviews.

Release

The film was released in 1998 in the United States, with listed theatrical dates in late October and November depending on the source.

Key facts

  • The film follows Derek Vinyard, a former neo-Nazi, after his release from prison and his efforts to stop his younger brother from following the same path.
  • It was directed by Tony Kaye in his feature directorial debut and written by David McKenna.
  • Edward Norton plays Derek Vinyard, and Edward Furlong plays his younger brother Danny Vinyard.
  • The film addresses racism, white supremacy, violence, and redemption.
  • It is rated R for violence, racism, nudity, sexual situations, and strong language.
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Canadian context

The film is widely available to Canadian audiences through home-video and streaming platforms, and it is often discussed in Canada as a landmark anti-racism drama.

Frequently asked questions

What is American History X about?
It follows a former neo-Nazi, Derek Vinyard, who tries to stop his younger brother from embracing the racist ideology that once consumed him.
Who directed American History X?
Tony Kaye directed the film.
Who wrote American History X?
David McKenna wrote the screenplay.
Who stars in American History X?
The cast includes Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, Fairuza Balk, Stacy Keach, Elliott Gould, Avery Brooks, and Beverly D'Angelo.
What genre is American History X?
It is generally classified as a crime drama or drama film.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_History_X
    Supports: Basic film identification, director, writer, cast, and premise.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/american_history_x
    Supports: Synopsis, genre, runtime, rating, and release information.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120586/
    Supports: Release date and plot summary.
  4. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/american-history-x-1998
    Supports: Narrative structure and visual style description.
  5. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/american-history-x
    Supports: Cast, genre, runtime, and MPAA rating details.
  6. IGN — https://www.ign.com/movies/american-history-x
    Supports: Distributors and release information.