The Negotiator (1998) movie poster

The Negotiator (1998)

"He frees hostages for a living. Now he's taking hostages to survive."
ThumbScore
๐Ÿ‘ 83%Google users liked it archived
Critics Score
๐ŸŽฌ 68% (RT: 74%, MC: 62) โ„น๏ธRT = Rotten Tomatoes (critic reviews). MC = Metacritic (weighted critic average). Critics Score is the average of both.
ActionCrimeDramaThriller

Where to Watch

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Director
Runtime
2h 20m
Country
Germany, United States of America
Language
English
TMDB Rating
7.1/10 (2,325 votes)
Rotten Tomatoes
74%
Metacritic
62
Cast
Samuel L. Jackson as Lt. Danny Roman
Kevin Spacey as Lt. Chris Sabian
David Morse as Cdr. Adam Beck
Ron Rifkin as Cdr. Grant Frost
John Spencer as Chief Al Travis
J. T. Walsh as Insp. Terence Niebaum
Most people think so. 83% of audiences gave it a thumbs up based on 2,325 votes. Critics gave it 68%.
Overview
The police try to arrest expert hostage negotiator Danny Roman, who insists he's being framed for his partner's murder in what he believes is an elaborate conspiracy. Thinking there's evidence in the Internal Affairs offices that might clear him, he takes everyone in the office hostage and demands that another well-known negotiator be brought in to handle the situation and secretly investigate the conspiracy. Wikipedia โ†—
Fun Facts
  • F. Gary Gray cited several classic action films as the primary inspiration for the visual style.
  • The initial cut of The Negotiator was reportedly much longer, with several subplots removed to improve the pacing.
  • It remains one of the highest-rated action films of 1998 among dedicated fans.
Audience Consensus

The Negotiator is a 1998 action, crime, drama film directed by F. Gary Gray. The police try to arrest expert hostage negotiator Danny Roman, who insists he's being framed for his partner's murder in what he believes is an elaborate conspiracy.

Thinking there's evidence in the Internal Affairs offices that might clear him, he takes everyone in the office hostage and demands that another well-known negotiator be brought in to handle the situation and secretly investigate the conspiracy. The film has been rated by 2,325 audiences on ThumbScore, reflecting its reach and engagement with viewers. As a action film, The Negotiator delivers on the expectations of its genre while bringing its own distinctive perspective to the storytelling.

The production showcases the creative vision of its filmmaking team, bringing together performances, cinematography, and narrative elements that have resonated with audiences. The Negotiator (1998) continues to find viewers through theatrical releases, streaming platforms, and home media, maintaining its place in the contemporary entertainment landscape. The film represents the kind of cinematic experience that has attracted a dedicated audience, with viewers appreciating its approach to the story and characters it presents.

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What Reddit Thinks

r/iwatchedanoldmovie
⬆ 108💬 19 comments
The Negotiator (1998)
Top comment: "Love this movie. Kevin Spacey and Samuel L Jackson lead a great cast including an early supporting..."
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