The Indian Runner is a 1991 crime drama film written and directed by Sean Penn in his directorial debut. Based on Bruce Springsteen's song "Highway Patrolman", the film depicts the relationship between two brothers who find themselves on opposite sides of the law.[2] It stars David Morse and Viggo Mortensen as the brothers, alongside Valeria Golino, Patricia Arquette, Jordan Rhodes, Dennis Hopper, Charles Bronson, and Sandy Dennis in her final film role.