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Chain Reaction

Chain Reaction

Thriller · Action · Science Fiction · 1996

At the University of Chicago, a research team that includes brilliant student machinist Eddie Kasalivich experiences a breakthrough: a stable form of fusion that may lead to a waste-free energy source. However, a private company wants to exploit the technology, so Kasalivich and physicist Dr. Lily Sinclair are framed for murder, and the fusion device is stolen. On the run from the FBI, they must recover the technology and exonerate themselves.

Movie details

Chain Reaction

1996 Thriller · Action · Science Fiction 1h 47m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

5.8 / 10

Community rating

At the University of Chicago, a research team that includes brilliant student machinist Eddie Kasalivich experiences a breakthrough: a stable form of fusion that may lead to a waste-free energy source. However, a private company wants to exploit the technology, so Kasalivich and physicist Dr. Lily Sinclair are framed for murder, and the fusion device is stolen. On the run from the FBI, they must recover the technology and exonerate themselves.

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 Chain Reaction?

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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Where it lives

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Andrew Davis

Written by

Michael Bortman · J.F. Lawton · Arne Schmidt · Rick Seaman

Keanu Reeves

Keanu Reeves

Eddie Kasalivich

Morgan Freeman

Morgan Freeman

Paul Shannon

Rachel Weisz

Rachel Weisz

Dr. Lily Sinclair

Fred Ward

Fred Ward

FBI Agent Leon Ford

Kevin Dunn

Kevin Dunn

FBI Agent Doyle

Brian Cox

Brian Cox

Lyman Earl Collier

Joanna Cassidy

Joanna Cassidy

Maggie McDermott

Court is in session

Put Chain Reaction 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.