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The Sum of All Fears

The Sum of All Fears

Thriller · Action · Drama · 2002

When the president of Russia suddenly dies, a man whose politics are virtually unknown succeeds him. The change in political leaders sparks paranoia among American CIA officials, so CIA director Bill Cabot recruits a young analyst to supply insight and advice on the situation. Then the unthinkable happens: a nuclear bomb explodes in a U.S. city, and America is quick to blame the Russians.

Movie details

The Sum of All Fears

“27,000 nuclear weapons. One is missing.”

2002 Thriller · Action · Drama 2h 4m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.4 / 10

Community rating

When the president of Russia suddenly dies, a man whose politics are virtually unknown succeeds him. The change in political leaders sparks paranoia among American CIA officials, so CIA director Bill Cabot recruits a young analyst to supply insight and advice on the situation. Then the unthinkable happens: a nuclear bomb explodes in a U.S. city, and America is quick to blame the Russians.

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 The Sum of All Fears?

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

Phil Alden Robinson

Written by

Paul Attanasio · Daniel Pyne

Ben Affleck

Ben Affleck

Jack Ryan

Morgan Freeman

Morgan Freeman

DCI William Cabot

James Cromwell

James Cromwell

President Fowler

Liev Schreiber

Liev Schreiber

John Clark

Bridget Moynahan

Bridget Moynahan

Dr. Cathy Muller

Alan Bates

Alan Bates

Dressler

Ciarán Hinds

Ciarán Hinds

President Nemerov

Court is in session

Put The Sum of All Fears 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.