
135 minutes
8/30/1996
Karl Childers, a mentally disabled man, has been in the custody of the state mental hospital since the age of 12 for killing his mother and her lover. Although thoroughly institutionalized, he is deemed fit to be released into the outside world.

Billy Bob Thornton
as Karl Childers

Dwight Yoakam
as Doyle Hargraves

J. T. Walsh
as Charles Bushman

John Ritter
as Vaughan Cunningham

Lucas Black
as Frank Wheatley

Natalie Canerday
as Linda Wheatley

James Hampton
as Jerry Woolridge

Robert Duvall
as Karl's Father

Rick Dial
as Bill Cox

Brent Briscoe
as Scooter Hodges
Christine Renee Ward
as Melinda
Sarah Boss
as Marsha Dwiggins
Kathy Sue Brown
as Theresa Evans
Wendell Rafferty
as Melvin
Bruce Hampton
as Morris

Vic Chesnutt
as Terence

Mickey Jones
as Monty Johnson
Ian Moore
as Randy Horsefeathers
Judy Pryor Trice
as Mrs. Woolridge
Scott Stewart
as Bubba Woolridge
Betty Lynn Hall
as Woolridge Daughter

Jim Jarmusch
as Frostee Cream Boy
Gary Don Fletcher
as Preacher
Tim Holder
as Albert
Tom Kagy
as Freddy
Stacy Thomason
as Woodridge Secretary
Jackie Stewart
as Walter
Jamie Stewart
as Teenage Boy
D.J. Royston
as Housekeeper
Lacy Bailey
as Karen
Raymond Lewallen
as Ticket Agent
Bill Glasscock
as Old Man (voice)