Eddie Harrison film-authority.com Sep 6, 2026 3/5

…an astute, entertaining B-movie that packs a punch right up to the final unmasking , and never sells the illusion theme short…the dark fantasy of F/X got before Now You See It and other illusion/heist capers….

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Don Shanahan Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast May 18, 2026

Bryan Brown had Hollywood's attention and rightfully so in this fun caper.

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Sarah Boslaugh TheArtsStl Dec 8, 2022 7/10

... F/X richly deserves its reputation as a well-scripted thriller that showcases its talented cast as well as its many NYC locations.

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Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Feb 12, 2022 3.5/4

While F/X will doubtless continue to play best for those of us who knew it back when, it should still effectively engage all but the most cynical of today's seen-it-all film fans.

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David Nusair Reel Film Reviews Feb 4, 2021 3/4

...a better-than-average 1980s thriller.

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Octavi Marti El Pais (Spain) Mar 11, 2020

The best thing about F/X is its modest plot and its tone from a B movie. [Full Review in Spanish]

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Paul Attanasio Washington Post Jan 3, 2018

Taking a page from Hitchcock, "F/X" is a nicely knitted thriller, effective if conventional...

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Jeffrey M. Anderson Combustible Celluloid Jun 13, 2015 3.5/4

[A] first-rate thriller. Robert Mandel directs with a winning energy, never getting too slick, but remaining interested in the human angle.

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Film4 Staff Film4 Apr 9, 2008

It looks dated and shoddy now, never taking itself as seriously as the darker sequel.

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Variety Staff Variety Apr 9, 2008

As contrived and plot-hole ridden as it is, F/X still works quite effectively as a crowd-pleasing popcorn picture.

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Steve Crum Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers Sep 10, 2006 4/5

Fun cat and mouse mystery-adventure with fun special effects angle.

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Chuck O'Leary FulvueDrive-in.com Feb 17, 2006 8/10

A clever, lightning-paced thriller about a Tom Savini-style special effects artist who becomes a pawn in the scheme of some rogue government agents. A surprise modest hit in 1986.

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Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Jun 25, 2005 B

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Jeremy C. Fox Pajiba May 3, 2005 4/5

A charmingly lo-fi '80s neo-noir that holds up better than most of its competition.

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Rebecca Murray About.com Mar 26, 2004 4/5

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Jake Euker F5 (Wichita, KS) Mar 10, 2004 2/5

A well-respected thriller; its coldness left me out.

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Spence D. IGN Jan 29, 2004 4/5

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Vincent Canby New York Times May 20, 2003 3.5/5

The film is as much a demonstration of various kinds of special effects as it is about them.

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