Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- propulsive
- heightened
- tense
- action movie night
- 1990s nostalgia
What critics said
Critics found the film commercially polished and entertaining as an action spectacle, but broadly considered its conspiracy story rote and its plotting weak.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
John Kruger’s witness-protection method literally erases witnesses’ identities and gives the title its central narrative mechanism.
Kruger’s suspicions about fellow Marshal Robert Deguerin reveal corruption within the protective system he relies on.
The film foregrounds skydiving, ambushes, shootouts, and large-scale practical action sequences.
The electromagnetic pulse gun drives the conflict among Cyrez, the Marshals, and Russian criminal interests.
Films like Eraser, and why
The Rock
Shared 1990s action blockbuster style, government conspiracy, protective fugitive premise, and high-impact set pieces.
True Lies
Shared star-driven action, corrupt institutions, advanced weapons, and a pressured protagonist protecting critical evidence.
The Fugitive
Shared witness protection tension, relentless pursuit, conspiracy plotting, and kinetic 1990s thriller mechanics.
Enemy of the State
Shared law-enforcement conspiracy, undercover evidence, traitorous officials, and escalating action suspense.
Movie Details
- Director
- Chuck Russell
- Release Date
- 1996-06-21
- Runtime
- 115 min
- Rating
- 6.1 / 10 (2123)
Cast
- Arnold Schwarzenegger
- James Caan
- Vanessa Williams
- James Coburn
- Robert Pastorelli
- James Cromwell
- Danny Nucci
- Andy Romano
- Nick Chinlund
- Michael Papajohn
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Howdy Amazon Channel
- 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 Eraser about?
- A witness-protection marshal battles corrupt colleagues and armed conspirators while shielding the whistleblower targeted over a revolutionary electromagnetic weapon.
- What is Eraser like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Eraser as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Eraser violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Eraser as moderate.
- What did critics think of Eraser?
- Critics found the film commercially polished and entertaining as an action spectacle, but broadly considered its conspiracy story rote and its plotting weak.
- Which films are like Eraser?
- Films with a similar feel include The Rock, True Lies, The Fugitive, and Enemy of the State.
- How long is Eraser?
- Eraser runs 115 minutes.
- Where can I watch Eraser?
- In United States, Eraser streams on Howdy Amazon Channel.
