Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- glossy
- melodramatic
- tense
- date night
- 1990s nostalgia
What critics said
Critics broadly regarded the film as a cheesy, melodramatic romantic thriller whose formula is intermittently enlivened by Whitney Houston’s presence and the leads’ star power.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Frank Farmer’s security duties repeatedly collide with Rachel Marron’s fame, entourage, and personal resistance.
Frank is haunted by failing to prevent the attack on President Reagan while serving in the Secret Service.
Frank and Rachel’s affair grows as his protective discipline and her celebrity life keep them emotionally and physically guarded.
Rachel’s career as a singer, public image, entourage, and performance life define the story’s setting and conflicts.
Films like The Bodyguard, and why
No Way Out
shared romantic thriller structure, celebrity danger, protective professional, and melodramatic tone
The Long Kiss Goodnight
shared bodyguard protagonist, escalating threat, action suspense, and emotionally guarded romance
Sleeping with the Enemy
shared celebrity-centered suspense, stalker menace, romance, and glossy mainstream filmmaking
The Specialist
shared romantic suspense, professional protection, and chemistry under violent threat
Movie Details
- Director
- Mick Jackson
- Release Date
- 1992-11-25
- Runtime
- 129 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (3359)
Cast
- Kevin Costner
- Whitney Houston
- Gary Kemp
- Bill Cobbs
- Ralph Waite
- Tomas Arana
- Michele Lamar Richards
- Mike Starr
- Christopher Birt
- DeVaughn Nixon
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel
- 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 The Bodyguard about?
- A haunted former Secret Service agent must protect a defiant pop superstar from a stalker while trying not to fall in love with her.
- What is The Bodyguard like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Bodyguard as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Bodyguard violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Bodyguard as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Bodyguard?
- Critics broadly regarded the film as a cheesy, melodramatic romantic thriller whose formula is intermittently enlivened by Whitney Houston’s presence and the leads’ star power.
- Which films are like The Bodyguard?
- Films with a similar feel include No Way Out, The Long Kiss Goodnight, Sleeping with the Enemy, and The Specialist.
- How long is The Bodyguard?
- The Bodyguard runs 129 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Bodyguard?
- In United States, The Bodyguard streams on fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel.
