Overview
A gripping exploration of the complexities of the drug war and its personal toll.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Dense
- Violence
- Moderate
- tense
- morally complex
- gritty
- serious movie night
- political thriller night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the ambitious multi-strand structure, morally nuanced treatment of drug enforcement, documentary-style filmmaking, and strong ensemble performances.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film follows Robert Wakefield, Javier Rodriguez, Helena Ayala, Caroline Wakefield, and DEA investigators across connected drug-war storylines.
The film uses contrasting visual palettes and documentary-style handheld camerawork to distinguish its United States and Mexico narratives.
The drug czar, DEA agents, cartel figures, police officers, and families are portrayed through conflicting motives rather than clear-cut moral categories.
Robert Wakefield's drug-enforcement appointment is set against his daughter's heroin addiction and the strain placed on their family.
Films like Traffic, and why
Syriana
Interwoven crime narratives, institutional corruption, morally compromised characters, and a socially conscious examination of the drug trade
The French Connection
Multi-perspective political crime thriller structure, international trafficking networks, and ethical ambiguity
Serpico
Grounded police procedural tension, systemic corruption, and bleak examination of drug enforcement
City of God
Interlocking crime stories, shifting perspectives, and morally gray characters navigating illicit economies
Movie Details
- Director
- Steven Soderbergh
- Release Date
- 2000-12-27
- Runtime
- 147 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (2512)
Cast
- Michael Douglas
- Benicio del Toro
- Catherine Zeta-Jones
- Erika Christensen
- Don Cheadle
- Jacob Vargas
- Miguel Ferrer
- Luis Guzmán
- Topher Grace
- Tomas Milian
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 Traffic about?
- A morally complex, interlocking crime drama follows officials, police, traffickers, and families caught inside the United States–Mexico drug war.
- What is Traffic like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Traffic as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as dense.
- Is Traffic violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Traffic as moderate.
- What did critics think of Traffic?
- Critics broadly praised the ambitious multi-strand structure, morally nuanced treatment of drug enforcement, documentary-style filmmaking, and strong ensemble performances.
- Which films are like Traffic?
- Films with a similar feel include Syriana, The French Connection, Serpico, and City of God.
- How long is Traffic?
- Traffic runs 147 minutes.
- Where can I watch Traffic?
- In United States, Traffic is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
