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Nighthawks

Nighthawks

Action · Crime · Thriller · 1981

When one of Europe's most lethal terrorists shows up in New York, an elite undercover cop is assigned to take him down by any means necessary.

Movie details

Nighthawks

“One man can bring the world to its knees and only one man can stop him.”

1981 Action · Crime · Thriller 1h 39m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.4 / 10

Community rating

When one of Europe's most lethal terrorists shows up in New York, an elite undercover cop is assigned to take him down by any means necessary.

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 Nighthawks?

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

Bruce Malmuth

Written by

David Shaber · Paul Sylbert

Sylvester Stallone

Sylvester Stallone

Deke DaSilva

Billy Dee Williams

Billy Dee Williams

Matthew Fox

Rutger Hauer

Rutger Hauer

Wulfgar

Lindsay Wagner

Lindsay Wagner

Irene

Persis Khambatta

Persis Khambatta

Shakka

Nigel Davenport

Nigel Davenport

Peter Hartman

Hilarie Thompson

Hilarie Thompson

Pam

Court is in session

Put Nighthawks 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.