Rollerball
A corporate utopia turns a lethal arena sport into social control, until its champion refuses to surrender his individuality.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- tense
- brutal
- grandiose
- classic science fiction night
- dystopian movie marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film visually striking and brutally compelling as dystopian spectacle, but weakened by shallow characterization and an unconvincing social critique.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The plot places six corporations above traditional governments and makes corporate authority the central antagonist.
Rollerball is promoted as a mass arena sport that absorbs aggression while demonstrating the futility of individuality.
Jonathan E.'s status as a star player does not protect him from corporate efforts to retire and control him.
The film contrasts corporate grandeur with highly choreographed rollerball arenas and large-scale futuristic environments.
Films like Rollerball, and why
Soylent Green
dystopian science fiction, corporate control, and a protagonist resisting institutional power
The Running Man
futuristic authoritarian society using spectacle and violence to suppress individuality
Death Race 2000
stylized speculative action centered on a brutal televised sport and social control
Logan's Run
cerebral dystopian science fiction combining political critique with striking production design
Movie Details
- Director
- Norman Jewison
- Release Date
- 1975-06-25
- Runtime
- 125 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (648)
Cast
- James Caan
- John Houseman
- Maud Adams
- John Beck
- Moses Gunn
- Pamela Hensley
- Barbara Trentham
- Shane Rimmer
- John Normington
- Burt Kwouk
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, 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 Rollerball about?
- A corporate utopia turns a lethal arena sport into social control, until its champion refuses to surrender his individuality.
- What is Rollerball like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Rollerball as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Rollerball violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Rollerball as graphic.
- What did critics think of Rollerball?
- Critics broadly found the film visually striking and brutally compelling as dystopian spectacle, but weakened by shallow characterization and an unconvincing social critique.
- Which films are like Rollerball?
- Films with a similar feel include Soylent Green, The Running Man, Death Race 2000, and Logan's Run.
- How long is Rollerball?
- Rollerball runs 125 minutes.
- Where can I watch Rollerball?
- In United States, Rollerball streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
