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White House Down

White House Down

Action · Drama · Thriller · 2013

Capitol Policeman John Cale has just been denied his dream job with the Secret Service protecting President James Sawyer. Not wanting to let down his little girl with the news, he takes her on a tour of the White House, when the complex is overtaken by a heavily armed paramilitary group. Now, with the nation's government falling into chaos and time running out, it's up to Cale to save the president, his daughter, and the country.

Movie details

White House Down

“It will start like any other day.”

2013 Action · Drama · Thriller 2h 11m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.5 / 10

Community rating

Capitol Policeman John Cale has just been denied his dream job with the Secret Service protecting President James Sawyer. Not wanting to let down his little girl with the news, he takes her on a tour of the White House, when the complex is overtaken by a heavily armed paramilitary group. Now, with the nation's government falling into chaos and time running out, it's up to Cale to save the president, his daughter, and the country.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over White House Down?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Roland Emmerich

Written by

James Vanderbilt

Channing Tatum

Channing Tatum

Cale

Jamie Foxx

Jamie Foxx

President Sawyer

Maggie Gyllenhaal

Maggie Gyllenhaal

Finnerty

Jason Clarke

Jason Clarke

Stenz

Richard Jenkins

Richard Jenkins

Raphelson

Joey King

Joey King

Emily

James Woods

James Woods

Walker

Court is in session

Put White House Down on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Adrenaline Seeker

“Momentum is a formal choice.”

The velocity sharpens instinct and tension, making every beat land before self-importance can settle in.

The prosecution The Auteur Devotee

“Speed as an alibi.”

The film races past its weak spots and hopes acceleration will keep the audience from inspecting the evidence.