Demolition Man
A cryogenically revived cop battles his old nemesis while exposing the authoritarian fragility of a crime-free future.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Brutal
- irreverent
- campy
- propulsive
- retro action night
- science fiction marathon
What critics said
Critics generally found the film an entertaining but uneven science-fiction action comedy whose satirical ideas are often weakened by excessive explosions and tonal inconsistency.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
John Spartan is cryogenically revived in 2032 and must learn how San Angeles has changed since 1996.
San Angeles maintains crime-free order through nonviolent policing, behavioral regulation, and Dr. Cocteau's authoritarian ideal.
The contrast between Spartan's aggressive policing and San Angeles's sanitized future produces recurring jokes about social control and cultural change.
Simon Phoenix's murderous rampage reveals that San Angeles's peaceful institutions are unprepared for direct criminal violence.
Films like Demolition Man, and why
RoboCop
shares dystopian science fiction, violent action, and satirical commentary on social control
The Last Action Hero
shares fish out of water comedy, futuristic technology, and an action hero adapting to a transformed society
Escape from L.A.
shares near-future dystopia, authoritarian social order, and high-concept action spectacle
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
shares cryogenic displacement, futuristic social satire, and a revived protagonist confronting an unfamiliar world
Movie Details
- Director
- Marco Brambilla
- Release Date
- 1993-10-08
- Runtime
- 115 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (4289)
Cast
- Sylvester Stallone
- Wesley Snipes
- Sandra Bullock
- Nigel Hawthorne
- Benjamin Bratt
- Rob Schneider
- Bob Gunton
- Glenn Shadix
- Denis Leary
- Bill Cobbs
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 Demolition Man about?
- A cryogenically revived cop battles his old nemesis while exposing the authoritarian fragility of a crime-free future.
- What is Demolition Man like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Demolition Man as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Demolition Man violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Demolition Man as brutal.
- What did critics think of Demolition Man?
- Critics generally found the film an entertaining but uneven science-fiction action comedy whose satirical ideas are often weakened by excessive explosions and tonal inconsistency.
- Which films are like Demolition Man?
- Films with a similar feel include RoboCop, The Last Action Hero, Escape from L.A., and Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery.
- How long is Demolition Man?
- Demolition Man runs 115 minutes.
- Where can I watch Demolition Man?
- In United States, Demolition Man is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
