Overview
A gripping tale of conspiracy and betrayal unfolds as a soldier grapples with the truth behind his heroic facade.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- brooding
- paranoid
- disturbing
- political thriller night
- serious movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the remake an effective, serious political thriller, with particular praise for Meryl Streep's commanding performance despite comparisons with the 1962 original.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Major Marco is haunted by dreams of the Gulf War ambush and cannot reconcile his memories with the official account.
Manchurian Global appears to be directing Raymond Shaw's ascent toward the vice presidency for its own purposes.
Raymond Shaw's reputation as a war hero is questioned when Marco investigates the unit's supposed ambush and aftermath.
Marco's disturbing dreams and investigation unfold against elections, congressional ambition, and a corporation seeking influence over the White House.
Films like The Manchurian Candidate, and why
The Parallax View
shared political conspiracy, psychological manipulation, and paranoid thriller atmosphere
The Manchurian Candidate
shared brainwashing premise, political intrigue, and morally compromised institutions
Jacob's Ladder
shared post-traumatic uncertainty, government conspiracy, and psychological thriller tension
Enemy of the State
shared election politics, corporate influence, and suspenseful paranoia
Movie Details
- Director
- Jonathan Demme
- Release Date
- 2004-07-30
- Runtime
- 130 min
- Rating
- 6.5 / 10 (1814)
Cast
- Denzel Washington
- Meryl Streep
- Liev Schreiber
- Simon McBurney
- Kimberly Elise
- Bruno Ganz
- Jon Voight
- Jeffrey Wright
- Anthony Mackie
- Ted Levine
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus, Starz Apple TV channel
- Rent
- JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- 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 Manchurian Candidate about?
- A Gulf War veteran investigates a celebrated politician whose rise to the vice presidency may rest on a manufactured memory and a corporate conspiracy.
- What is The Manchurian Candidate like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Manchurian Candidate as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Manchurian Candidate violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Manchurian Candidate as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Manchurian Candidate?
- Critics broadly found the remake an effective, serious political thriller, with particular praise for Meryl Streep's commanding performance despite comparisons with the 1962 original.
- Which films are like The Manchurian Candidate?
- Films with a similar feel include The Parallax View, The Manchurian Candidate, Jacob's Ladder, and Enemy of the State.
- How long is The Manchurian Candidate?
- The Manchurian Candidate runs 130 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Manchurian Candidate?
- In United States, The Manchurian Candidate streams on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus, Starz Apple TV channel.
