F/X

Action · Thriller · 1986

A movies special effects man is hired by a government agency to help stage the assassination of a well known gangster. When the agency double cross him, he uses his special effects to trap the gangster and the corrupt agents.

Movie details

F/X

Name: F/X
Genre: Action, Thriller
Released: 1986

“Murder by illusion.”

1986 Action · Thriller 1h 49m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

Scores change. Arguments endure.

TMDB

6.6 / 10

Community rating

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 F/X?

For the defence

The Adrenaline Seeker

“If it slows down, you check your phone.”

Read their case

For the prosecution

The Auteur Devotee

“You watch the director, not the movie.”

Read their objection

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

Where it lives

Watch in your region.

Cinema release signals and current streaming, rental, and purchase options for your region.

Streaming availability data supplied by JustWatch.

Names above the title

The people responsible.

Cast & crew

Directed by

Robert Mandel

Written by

Gregory Fleeman · Robert T. Megginson

Bryan Brown

Roland 'Rollie' Tyler

Brian Dennehy

Lt. Leo McCarthy

Diane Venora

Ellen

Cliff DeYoung

Lipton

Mason Adams

Col. Mason

Jerry Orbach

Nicholas DeFranco

Joe Grifasi

Mickey

Court is in session

Put F/X 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.