Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Graphic
- cynical
- sardonic
- tense
- 1980s crime movie night
- retro action marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found it a stylish, fast-moving, unusually accomplished cop thriller elevated by Burt Reynolds's restrained performance and direction, despite excesses in its final act.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Sharky assembles his demoted vice-division colleagues into a self-named machine to pursue the prostitution ring and its political connections.
The murder Sharky discovers is linked to government figures, turning a vice investigation into a corruption conspiracy.
Critics and viewers repeatedly note the film's violent, cynical police-thriller framework alongside sharp, human humor in its dialogue.
The film presents Atlanta crime, surveillance, murder, and action through a stylish, star-driven 1980s production.
Films like Sharky's Machine, and why
To Live and Die in L.A.
shared cynical big-city cop thriller atmosphere, institutional corruption, and violent action
Serpico
shared morally compromised police protagonist, corruption investigation, and hard-edged urban crime drama
The French Connection
shared stylish police action, prostitution-linked criminal networks, and charismatic star-driven direction
Mulholland Falls
shared ensemble police investigation, cynical mood, and escalating gangster violence
Movie Details
- Director
- Burt Reynolds
- Release Date
- 1981-12-18
- Runtime
- 122 min
- Rating
- 6.2 / 10 (119)
Cast
- Burt Reynolds
- Rachel Ward
- Henry Silva
- Brian Keith
- Vittorio Gassman
- Charles Durning
- Earl Holliman
- Bernie Casey
- Richard Libertini
- Darryl Hickman
Where to watch in United States
- 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 Sharky's Machine about?
- A demoted Atlanta vice cop builds a loyal team to dismantle a murderous prostitution conspiracy reaching into government.
- What is Sharky's Machine like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Sharky's Machine as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Sharky's Machine violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Sharky's Machine as graphic.
- What did critics think of Sharky's Machine?
- Critics broadly found it a stylish, fast-moving, unusually accomplished cop thriller elevated by Burt Reynolds's restrained performance and direction, despite excesses in its final act.
- Which films are like Sharky's Machine?
- Films with a similar feel include To Live and Die in L.A., Serpico, The French Connection, and Mulholland Falls.
- How long is Sharky's Machine?
- Sharky's Machine runs 122 minutes.
- Where can I watch Sharky's Machine?
- In United States, Sharky's Machine is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
