Five Desperate Hours
1997, English. Directed by Dan Lerner.
In seconds, their paths crossed. In hours, their lives changed.
Joseph Grange (Giancarlo Esposito), an unstable fugitive from the law, bursts into the home of suburban housewife Claire Ballard (Sharon Lawrence), and an intense hostage drama begins. Desperate to save her life, Claire initiates a dialogue with Grange as a trigger-happy SWAT team waits outside poised to storm the house. Claire, herself the product of a troubled past, begins to identify with the tormented Grange and, over five tension-filled hours, victim and captor forge an unlikely bond.
- Runtime
- 1h 30m
- Post-credits
- None listed
- Language
- English
- Rated
- Check local
Start now and it ends at ….
Too new to call
Not enough people have rated it yet for a verdict.
Seen it? Give your verdict.
Saved privately on this device.
Where to watch Five Desperate Hours
Five Desperate Hours is streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Shout! Factory, and Howdy in India.
Stream
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video with Ads
Shout! Factory Amazon Channel
Howdy Amazon Channel
Fawesome
Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads
Tubi TV
Amazon MX PlayerAvailability in India as of 4 November 2026. Streaming data by JustWatch.
Cast & crew
- Dan LernerDirector
- Sharon LawrenceClair Ballard
- Giancarlo EspositoJoseph Grange
- Daniel Hugh KellyJim Ballard
- Rocky CarrollLt. Frank Early
- Doug AbrahamsCop #5
- Garry ChalkCapt. Durk
- Brent StaitDanbury
- Gordie GirouxTad
- Kimberly UngerNora
- Tarie TennesseySWAT Officer
- Colin CunninghamWesley Ballard
- J. B. BivensSergeant
Details
- Released
- 5 October 1997
- Country
- Canada, United States of America
- Written by
- Philip Rosenberg
Check ratings elsewhere
News & fan talk
If you liked Five Desperate Hours
Girl in the Basement
2021 · 7.6/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers
5lbs of Pressure
2024 · 6.0/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
Hierarchy
2025 · 6.0/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
Dead Man's Folly
1986 · 6.4/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
Hello
2022 · 6.3/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
Cleveland Abduction
2015 · 7.3/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers
Ray Donovan: The Movie
2022 · 6.8/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
All the Devils Are Here
2025 · 6.2/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
Seeds of Yesterday
2015 · 6.4/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
Barron's Cove
2025 · 7.1/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers
Five Desperate Hours: quick answers
Is Five Desperate Hours worth watching?
Five Desperate Hours doesn’t have enough ratings for a verdict yet.
How long is Five Desperate Hours?
Five Desperate Hours runs 90 minutes (1h 30m).
Does Five Desperate Hours have a post-credits scene?
None is listed for Five Desperate Hours. Viewers tag these on TMDB, so a brand-new film may not be tagged yet.
Five Desperate Hours parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
No age rating is listed for Five Desperate Hours yet.
Which OTT platform is Five Desperate Hours on?
Five Desperate Hours is streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Shout! Factory, and Howdy in India. (Checked 4 November 2026.)
What movies are like Five Desperate Hours?
If you liked Five Desperate Hours, try Girl in the Basement, 5lbs of Pressure, Hierarchy.
Who directed Five Desperate Hours?
Five Desperate Hours (1997) was directed by Dan Lerner and stars Sharon Lawrence, Giancarlo Esposito, Daniel Hugh Kelly.