Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- tense
- brooding
- paranoid
- late night thriller viewing
- cyberpunk double feature
What critics said
Critics found the film thematically timely and visually ambitious, but broadly considered its cyber-thriller drama muddled and dramatically inert.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The plot repeatedly connects malware, computer networks, surveillance, and armed physical confrontations.
The investigation links American and Chinese authorities with activity extending into Southeast Asia, including Malaysia.
Nicholas Hathaway is a highly skilled hacker serving a fifteen-year sentence when his earlier code becomes central to the investigation.
The film juxtaposes computer interfaces and malware analysis with urgent movement through cities, infrastructure, and surveillance spaces.
Films like Blackhat, and why
Enemy of the State
Shares cybercrime investigation, international stakes, technological paranoia, and a grounded action-thriller approach.
Live Free or Die Hard
Shares computer-driven terrorism, surveillance anxiety, global conspiracy, and a race against escalating threats.
Miami Vice
Shares Michael Mann's procedural crime style, morally compromised protagonists, digital-age criminality, and nocturnal urban tension.
The Fifth Estate
Shares a technically focused cybercrime premise, multinational investigation, and thriller tension built around invisible technological threats.
Movie Details
- Director
- Michael Mann
- Release Date
- 2015-01-13
- Runtime
- 133 min
- Rating
- 5.5 / 10 (2235)
Cast
- Chris Hemsworth
- Tang Wei
- Leehom Wang
- Viola Davis
- Holt McCallany
- Andy On Chi-Kit
- Yorick van Wageningen
- John Ortiz
- Ritchie Coster
- Christian Borle
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Blackhat about?
- A jailed hacker is recruited by American and Chinese authorities to hunt the cybercriminal whose malware caused a catastrophic attack on a Chinese nuclear power plant.
- What is Blackhat like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Blackhat as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Blackhat violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Blackhat as moderate.
- What did critics think of Blackhat?
- Critics found the film thematically timely and visually ambitious, but broadly considered its cyber-thriller drama muddled and dramatically inert.
- Which films are like Blackhat?
- Films with a similar feel include Enemy of the State, Live Free or Die Hard, Miami Vice, and The Fifth Estate.
- How long is Blackhat?
- Blackhat runs 133 minutes.
- Where can I watch Blackhat?
- In United States, Blackhat is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
