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The Fan

The Fan

Thriller · Action · Drama · 1996

When the San Francisco Giants pay center-fielder, Bobby Rayburn $40 million to lead their team to the World Series, no one is happier or more supportive than #1 fan, Gil Renard. When Rayburn becomes mired in the worst slump of his career, the obsessed Renard decides to stop at nothing to help his idol regain his former glory—not even murder.

Movie details

The Fan

“All fans have a favorite player. This one has a favorite target.”

1996 Thriller · Action · Drama 1h 56m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.0 / 10

Community rating

When the San Francisco Giants pay center-fielder, Bobby Rayburn $40 million to lead their team to the World Series, no one is happier or more supportive than #1 fan, Gil Renard. When Rayburn becomes mired in the worst slump of his career, the obsessed Renard decides to stop at nothing to help his idol regain his former glory—not even murder.

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 Fan?

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

Tony Scott

Written by

Phoef Sutton

Robert De Niro

Robert De Niro

Gil Renard

Wesley Snipes

Wesley Snipes

Bobby Rayburn

Ellen Barkin

Ellen Barkin

Jewel Stern

John Leguizamo

John Leguizamo

Manny

Benicio del Toro

Benicio del Toro

Juan Primo

Patti D'Arbanville

Patti D'Arbanville

Ellen Renard

Chris Mulkey

Chris Mulkey

Tim

Court is in session

Put The Fan 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.