A Shock to the System

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A Shock to the System

R,

1990,

1h 31m,

Mystery & Thriller/

Comedy

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Watchlist

70%

33 Reviews

Tomatometer

61%

1,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

70%

Tomatometer

33 Reviews

61%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

When experienced advertising executive Graham Marshall (Michael Caine) loses out on a promotion to a younger man, the situation inadvertently leads him to cause a subway accident in which a homeless man is killed. Discovering that there are no consequences of this incident, Marshall begins plotting revenge on anyone who has wronged him, and even his longtime wife, Leslie (Swoosie Kurtz), isn't safe. How far will Marshall travel down this path of vengeance?

Critics Consensus

Aided by Michael Caine's finely layered performance, A Shock to the System finds dark comedy in the cutthroat modern business world.

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Peter Rainer

Los Angeles Times

Apr 9, 2021

What's remarkable is that you come away from the movie laughing at Graham's murderous indiscretions and yet you're frightened by them too. Caine makes you taste the ashes in this black comedy.

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Tribune

Apr 9, 2021

2.5/4

What might have seemed bafflingly inconsistent behavior in the hands of a lesser performer is here synthesized by Caine's relaxed and subtle work into a more complex characterization.

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Jay Boyar

Orlando Sentinel

Apr 9, 2021

4/5

Egleson and Klavan know exactly what their themes are, and they've got the guts and brains to carry them through. Besides, whenever their efforts flag, Michael Caine's exceptional performance is always a compensation.

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

May 27, 2024

3/5

…Caine clearly relishes playing an out-and-out rotter…for star fans, and that should include almost everyone, A Shock to the System’s quirky black comedy is certainly worth seeking out…

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Christopher Tookey

Sunday Telegraph (UK)

Oct 17, 2023

Elizabeth McGovern is so charming as Caine's lover that the ending becomes unintentionally disconcerting, if not downright disappointing. But there are many worse ways of spending 90 minutes.

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Madeleine Harmsworth

Sunday Mirror (UK)

Oct 17, 2023

4/5

A thoroughly amoral, wickedly funny and very black comedy-thriller, with some sharp scenes on cut-throat office politics.

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Luke S

Oct 26, 2018

This is a great whodunit without a twist. Still holds up well decades later.

Hermione S

Sep 20, 2018

AIt is like breaze after midnight under full moon. I want repeat this film again and again.

Harry W

Dec 4, 2017

3.0/5.0 stars - Grade: C+

Albus W

Sep 29, 2017

Hilarious and thrilling.

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Jan Egleson

Director

Michael Caine

Graham Marshall

Elizabeth McGovern

Stella Anderson

Peter Riegert

Robert Benham

Swoosie Kurtz

Leslie Marshall

Will Patton

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Synopsis

When experienced advertising executive Graham Marshall (Michael Caine) loses out on a promotion to a younger man, the situation inadvertently leads him to cause a subway accident in which a homeless man is killed. Discovering that there are no consequences of this incident, Marshall begins plotting revenge on anyone who has wronged him, and even his longtime wife, Leslie (Swoosie Kurtz), isn't safe. How far will Marshall travel down this path of vengeance?

Director: Jan Egleson
Producer: Patrick McCormick
Screenwriter: Andrew Klavan
Production Co: Brigand Films
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 3, 2020
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.0M
Runtime: 1h 31m
Sound Mix: Surround

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