Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Brutal
- propulsive
- glossy
- heightened
- action movie night
- early 2000s nostalgia
What critics said
Critics broadly agreed that the film delivers extravagant explosions and slick choreography but is undermined by thin plotting, implausible logic, and uninteresting computer scenes.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Stanley Jobson's government-mainframe breach is staged alongside explosions, hostages, and rapid-fire suspense.
Gabriel Shear recruits the convicted Stanley Jobson by exploiting his financial desperation and desire to regain access to his daughter.
The film combines orange-tinted cinematography, massive explosions, slick criminal theatrics, and flamboyant performances.
Gabriel's Black Cell claims the government money is needed to wage a retaliatory war against international terrorism outside official channels.
Films like Swordfish, and why
Gone in 60 Seconds
shares glossy early-2000s action spectacle, criminal conspiracy, and technology-driven heist mechanics
The Italian Job
shares a charismatic criminal mastermind, explosive set pieces, and heightened crime-thriller excess
The Net
shares hacker-centered cybercrime, government secrets, and stylized techno-thriller plotting
The Rock
shares hostage stakes, terrorism conspiracies, and muscular action-thriller presentation
Movie Details
- Director
- Dominic Sena
- Release Date
- 2001-06-08
- Runtime
- 99 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (3069)
Cast
- John Travolta
- Hugh Jackman
- Halle Berry
- Don Cheadle
- Vinnie Jones
- Sam Shepard
- Drea de Matteo
- Rudolf Martin
- Zach Grenier
- Camryn Grimes
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 Swordfish about?
- A desperate ex-con hacker is forced into a billion-dollar government heist by a suave counter-terrorist whose mission turns criminal vengeance into explosive spectacle.
- What is Swordfish like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Swordfish as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Swordfish violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Swordfish as brutal.
- What did critics think of Swordfish?
- Critics broadly agreed that the film delivers extravagant explosions and slick choreography but is undermined by thin plotting, implausible logic, and uninteresting computer scenes.
- Which films are like Swordfish?
- Films with a similar feel include Gone in 60 Seconds, The Italian Job, The Net, and The Rock.
- How long is Swordfish?
- Swordfish runs 99 minutes.
- Where can I watch Swordfish?
- In United States, Swordfish streams on Howdy Amazon Channel.
