Johns (film)

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DVD cover
Directed by Scott Silver
Produced by Paul Brown
Beau Flynn
Stefan Simchowitz
Written by Scott Silver
Starring David Arquette
Lukas Haas
Music by Charles Brown
Danny Caron
Cinematography Tom Richmond
Edited by Dorian Harris
Distributed by First Look International
Release dates
January 31, 1997
Running time
96 min.
Country United States
Language English
Box office $50,789

Johns (styled as johns) is a 1996 American drama film starring David Arquette and Lukas Haas, who portray hustlers who work Santa Monica Boulevard.[1]


It's Christmas Eve and John (David Arquette) is asleep in a Los Angeles park. He awakens as someone is stealing his shoes, in which he keeps his money. He chases the thief but can't catch him. John is angered not only because those are his "lucky" sneakers but because he's trying to accumulate enough money for an overnight stay in a fancy hotel to celebrate his birthday, which is also Christmas. Each time John puts any money together, either by turning a trick, robbing the house of one of his regular "dates" or stealing from potential clients, it's taken from him either by robbery or in payback for a drug deal where he burned the dealer.

Meanwhile, Donner (Lukas Haas), a fellow hustler who's new to the streets and has fallen for John, tries to convince John to go with him to Branson, Missouri. Donner has a relative who runs a theme park there who can get them jobs. John is initially resistant to the idea but, after some particularly bad experiences, agrees to go.

John and Donner have enough money for two bus tickets to Branson but John takes one last "date" to earn money for expenses. After their sexual encounter at a motel, however, John's "date" turns violent, beating John unmercifully.

Donner goes in search of John and finds him at the motel. Donner drags John's lifeless body from the bathroom to the bed and tearfully confesses that he's the one who stole John's sneakers and money in a desperate attempt to persuade John to leave town with him.


Awards and nominations[edit]

DVD release[edit]

Johns was released on Region 1 DVD on February 29, 2000.


External links[edit]