Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- paranoid
- witty
- tense
- 1990s action night
- popcorn movie night
What critics said
Critics found the film entertaining and charismatic but ultimately overlong, meandering, and undermined by an overloaded conventional second half.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Jerry Fletcher’s obsessive theories about assassinations, aliens, and government schemes become entangled with an actual covert operation.
Jerry watches Alice Sutton from afar and builds an idealized attachment before establishing a genuine relationship with her.
Jerry’s pamphlets, unsolicited conspiracy warnings, and erratic behavior initially make him appear delusional while also positioning him as a target.
The film repeatedly asks which of Jerry’s many conspiracy theories is accurate, redirecting suspicion among government agents, assassins, and supposed allies.
Films like Conspiracy Theory, and why
Enemy of the State
Shares 1990s conspiracy thriller suspense, government paranoia, romantic tension, and moderate action.
Lethal Weapon
Shares Richard Donner’s accessible action-comedy sensibility, volatile male protagonist, and government-centered thriller plot.
The Pelican Brief
Shares paranoid political intrigue, hunted protagonists, and a romance threaded through escalating thriller action.
The Manchurian Candidate
Shares conspiracy-driven suspense, institutional corruption, and a paranoid protagonist pursued by powerful forces.
Movie Details
- Director
- Richard Donner
- Release Date
- 1997-08-08
- Runtime
- 135 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (1727)
Cast
- Mel Gibson
- Julia Roberts
- Patrick Stewart
- Cylk Cozart
- Steve Kahan
- Terry Alexander
- Alex McArthur
- Rod McLachlan
- Michael Potts
- Jim Sterling
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 Conspiracy Theory about?
- A conspiracy-obsessed New York cab driver must prove that one of his wild theories is real before a covert government operation destroys his fragile connection with the woman he loves.
- What is Conspiracy Theory like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Conspiracy Theory as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Conspiracy Theory violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Conspiracy Theory as moderate.
- What did critics think of Conspiracy Theory?
- Critics found the film entertaining and charismatic but ultimately overlong, meandering, and undermined by an overloaded conventional second half.
- Which films are like Conspiracy Theory?
- Films with a similar feel include Enemy of the State, Lethal Weapon, The Pelican Brief, and The Manchurian Candidate.
- How long is Conspiracy Theory?
- Conspiracy Theory runs 135 minutes.
- Where can I watch Conspiracy Theory?
- In United States, Conspiracy Theory is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
