Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Brutal
- cynical
- tense
- foreboding
- late night thriller viewing
- 1980s movie marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film’s gripping opening, suspense, and stylish direction but felt its plotting and forceful treatment weakened its moral questions.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Judge Steven Hardin investigates an alternative punishment system after guilty criminals escape through legal technicalities.
The opening cases center on dangerous offenders freed because of courtroom or evidentiary flaws.
The plot revolves around a hidden group of judges assigning missions of murder against people they deem guilty.
Peter Hyams combines Los Angeles locations, investigative tension, and hard-impact action with a courtroom-centered premise.
Films like The Star Chamber, and why
...And Justice for All
legal thriller built around institutional corruption, moral compromise, and a judge confronting failures of justice
Death Wish
stylish crime thriller examining vigilantism, punishment, and the limits of law
A Few Good Men
morally conflicted justice drama where an idealistic authority figure faces systemic wrongdoing
Movie Details
- Director
- Peter Hyams
- Release Date
- 1983-08-05
- Runtime
- 105 min
- Rating
- 6.0 / 10 (190)
Cast
- Michael Douglas
- Hal Holbrook
- Yaphet Kotto
- Sharon Gless
- James B. Sikking
- Joe Regalbuto
- Don Calfa
- John DiSanti
- DeWayne Jessie
- Jack Kehoe
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, 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 Star Chamber about?
- An idealistic Los Angeles judge is drawn toward a clandestine murder scheme after the courts repeatedly release dangerous criminals.
- What is The Star Chamber like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Star Chamber as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Star Chamber violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in The Star Chamber as brutal.
- What did critics think of The Star Chamber?
- Critics broadly praised the film’s gripping opening, suspense, and stylish direction but felt its plotting and forceful treatment weakened its moral questions.
- Which films are like The Star Chamber?
- Films with a similar feel include ...And Justice for All, Death Wish, and A Few Good Men.
- How long is The Star Chamber?
- The Star Chamber runs 105 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Star Chamber?
- In United States, The Star Chamber is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Apple TV Store.
