Where to start withAfter Hours
2 versions · originally a film, 1985
Themes: Kafkaesque Nightmare, Existential Crisis, Urban Paranoia, One Crazy Night, Fish Out of Water.
Start with Carlito's Way (Brian De Palma, 1993) — the film. After Hours exists in 2 versions across media, beginning as a film in 1985; each is ranked below by what it does best.
These films capture the frantic, inescapable tension of a man struggling to navigate the treacherous and unpredictable underbelly of New York City.
✦ Most fans start here
Carlito's Way (1993)

The original movie
After Hours
Martin Scorsese · Film · 1985
After Hours (1985) serves as the definitive surrealist odyssey, perfectly capturing the claustrophobic anxiety of an uptown office worker lost in the chaotic, nocturnal labyrinth of downtown Manhattan’s nightlife.

1993 film
✦ Start hereCarlito's Way
Brian De Palma · Film · 1993
Carlito’s Way (1993) offers a gritty, stylistic expansion on the theme of urban entrapment, following an ex-con whose desperate attempts to escape his criminal past lead to inevitable tragedy.
Common questions
Is After Hours based on a book or a play?
After Hours is not based on a book or a play. It is an original screenplay directed by Martin Scorsese, released in 1985. The film follows a word processor who experiences a series of increasingly surreal and dangerous events during a single night in New York City.
Should I watch Carlito's Way after finishing After Hours?
You can watch Carlito's Way after After Hours if you are interested in exploring more of Martin Scorsese's filmography. While After Hours is a dark comedy from 1985, Carlito's Way is a crime drama released in 1993, showcasing a different tone and thematic approach from the same director.
How long is the runtime of After Hours?
The movie After Hours has a runtime of approximately 97 minutes. This duration captures the frantic, fast-paced nature of the protagonist's night as he attempts to navigate his way home through various bizarre encounters in the Soho district of Manhattan.
What is the release order of After Hours and Carlito's Way?
After Hours was released in 1985, while Carlito's Way was released in 1993. Both films are directed by Martin Scorsese, but they represent different stages of his career and distinct stylistic choices within his body of work.