The Lawnmower Man
A virtual-reality scientist turns a simple-minded gardener into a terrifyingly powerful intelligence that no longer accepts human control.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- eerie
- visionary
- melodramatic
- late night genre viewing
- 1990s sci fi marathon
What critics said
Critics found the film's cyberpunk premise and integrated computer effects intriguing but were divided by its predictable, melodramatic script and dated visuals.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Lawrence Angelo uses virtual reality experiments and intelligence-enhancing drugs to radically change Jobe Smith.
The research begins as an attempt to enhance intelligence but becomes a means of manipulation and escalating control.
Computer animation and virtual-reality sequences depict Jobe's expanding mind and frightening new powers.
The scientist's enhanced gardener develops ideas of his own, forcing the researcher to confront the consequences of his experiment.
Films like The Lawnmower Man, and why
Virtuosity
shared cyberpunk science fiction, virtual reality technology, and a dangerous experiment that escapes its creator's control
Videodrome
shared technological paranoia, altered consciousness, body horror, and visionary but unsettling audiovisual effects
Scanners
shared telekinetic or psychokinetic escalation, scientific experimentation, and horror rooted in transformed human ability
Movie Details
- Director
- Brett Leonard
- Release Date
- 1992-03-05
- Runtime
- 108 min
- Rating
- 5.6 / 10 (883)
Cast
- Jeff Fahey
- Pierce Brosnan
- Jenny Wright
- Mark Bringelson
- Geoffrey Lewis
- Jeremy Slate
- Dean Norris
- Colleen Coffey
- Troy Evans
- Austin O'Brien
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Night Flight Plus, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- 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 Lawnmower Man about?
- A virtual-reality scientist turns a simple-minded gardener into a terrifyingly powerful intelligence that no longer accepts human control.
- What is The Lawnmower Man like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Lawnmower Man as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Lawnmower Man violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Lawnmower Man as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Lawnmower Man?
- Critics found the film's cyberpunk premise and integrated computer effects intriguing but were divided by its predictable, melodramatic script and dated visuals.
- Which films are like The Lawnmower Man?
- Films with a similar feel include Virtuosity, Videodrome, and Scanners.
- How long is The Lawnmower Man?
- The Lawnmower Man runs 108 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Lawnmower Man?
- In United States, The Lawnmower Man streams on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Night Flight Plus, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
