Partners (1982): cast, story & where to watch

1982 · Film · ★ 5.5

Partners poster

Released in 1982, Partners is a comedy and crime film directed by James Burrows, running about 93 minutes. “The oddest team on the squad” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. Benson is a police detective. After a series of murders in the Gay community he is ordered to go undercover with a gay police clerk named Kerwin as his partner. In order to be noticed they have to be flamboyant enough to attract attention which Benson finds rather disturbing. Can an uptight heterosexual and a mousey homosexual form a meaningful relationship?

Who’s in it. Partners stars Ryan O'Neal as Sgt. Benson, John Hurt as Kerwin, Kenneth McMillan as Chief Wilkins and Robyn Douglass as Jill, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 5.5/10, Partners has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Partners page.

If you liked it. Fans of Partners tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.

Frequently asked

Where can I watch Partners (1982)?
Streaming, rental and purchase options for Partners change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
Is Partners worth watching?
Partners holds an audience score of 5.5 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy comedy and crime. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
Who stars in Partners?
Partners stars Ryan O'Neal, John Hurt, Kenneth McMillan, Robyn Douglass and Jay Robinson.
When was Partners released?
Partners was released in 1982, with a runtime of about 93 minutes.