Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- serious
- tense
- wry
- political drama night
- history film viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film well acted and witty in its reconstruction of a ruined political campaign, while arguing that it raises but insufficiently analyzes its larger questions.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Hart's invitation for reporters to follow him and the subsequent publication of photographs make journalism's changing boundaries central to the conflict.
Gary Hart's presidential candidacy unravels as a private controversy overwhelms his policy platform and public reputation.
The film depicts the 1987 Democratic primary race, political handlers, print reporters, and the emerging expectation of constant candidate scrutiny.
Campaign offices, media encounters, and news conferences provide the film's primary visual and dramatic spaces.
Films like The Front Runner, and why
Primary Colors
political campaign drama examining media scrutiny, public image, and ethical compromise
The Ides of March
political biography focused on ambition, scandal, and the pressures of public office
All the King's Men
fact-based political drama portraying campaign machinery, idealism, and institutional power
Movie Details
- Director
- Jason Reitman
- Release Date
- 2018-11-06
- Runtime
- 113 min
- Rating
- 5.9 / 10 (391)
Cast
- Hugh Jackman
- Vera Farmiga
- J.K. Simmons
- Mark O'Brien
- Molly Ephraim
- Chris Coy
- Alex Karpovsky
- Josh Brener
- Tommy Dewey
- Kaitlyn Dever
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- 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 The Front Runner about?
- A presidential hopeful’s candidacy collapses when an affair scandal exposes the volatile intersection of private conduct, political ambition, and a newly aggressive press.
- What is The Front Runner like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Front Runner as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Front Runner violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Front Runner.
- What did critics think of The Front Runner?
- Critics broadly found the film well acted and witty in its reconstruction of a ruined political campaign, while arguing that it raises but insufficiently analyzes its larger questions.
- Which films are like The Front Runner?
- Films with a similar feel include Primary Colors, The Ides of March, and All the King's Men.
- How long is The Front Runner?
- The Front Runner runs 113 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Front Runner?
- In United States, The Front Runner is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand.
