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Surveillance

Play trailer Poster for Surveillance R,  2009,  1h 37m,  Mystery & Thriller/ Crime/ Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 54% 70 Reviews Tomatometer 43% 25,000+ Ratings Popcornmeter
54% Tomatometer 70 Reviews 43% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
After a spree of horrific murders in the New Mexico desert, two FBI agents arrive at a small Santa Fe police station to interview the key witnesses. Using elaborate surveillance equipment to view the interrogations simultaneously, Sam Hallaway watches as his partner cross-examines the three survivors. As several inconsistencies emerge, it becomes clear that somebody in the room knows the truth behind the slayings.
Surveillance

What to Know

Critics Consensus

This dark psycho-thriller from Jennifer Lynch, is violent, sharp and baffling, but not to everyone's taste.

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Critics Reviews

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Candice Frederick Reel Talk Online Sep 12, 2017
B+
It's a great whodunit. Go to Full Review
Jason Anderson Toronto Star Jul 24, 2009
2/4
Pullman's striking performance here is undermined by Lynch's overreliance on those same grisly shock tactics, as well as a script that fails to capitalize on a promising premise and then swiftly collapses upon the revelation of a not-so-shocking twist. Go to Full Review
James Adams Globe and Mail Jul 24, 2009
1/4
The film's a failure. Go to Full Review
Joe Lipsett Anatomy of a Scream Podcast Network Nov 11, 2025
4/5
Lynch's 2nd film is a twisty crime thriller filled with unconventional casting decisions, bold colour-coded cinematography, and brief (but visceral) outbursts of violence. A great indicator of what Lynch is capable of when her vision isn't compromised Go to Full Review
Debbie Lynn Elias Behind The Lens Nov 15, 2019
Taut, edgy, titillating, thrilling. Surveillance is a masterful examination into the dark side of the human condition. Go to Full Review
David Harris Spectrum Culture Oct 9, 2019
1.5/5
Surveillance will create almost no ripples whatsoever as it slithers in and out of theaters to find a second life on late-night cable. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Theodore R Jul 23, 2018 Fun movie about bad cops. Interesting twist at the end. Jennifer shows she's up to the name "Lynch".
Hermione M Oct 20, 2017 I don't mind seeing the punchline coming for a while. I don't even mind "crazy fucked up" - being that punchline. But if that's the case, said crazy's gotta be earned. Three-dimenaional. I wanna feel its roots. Here though, it just feels kinda feigned, thin, stitched together. Despite a few solid moments. See more
Kylo S May 12, 2017 This was a cool and different take on the genre, great performances all round
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Surveillance

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Jennifer Chambers Lynch

Director

Julia Ormond

Elizabeth Anderson

Bill Pullman

Sam Hallaway

Pell James

Bobbi Prescott

Ryan Simpkins

Stephanie

Cheri Oteri

Mom

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Surveillance

Surveillance (2008) Surveillance (2008) Surveillance (2008) Bill Pullman as Sam and Julia Ormond as Elizabeth in "Surveillance." Ryan Simpkins as Stephanie and French Stewart as Officer Jim Conrad in "Surveillance." Ryan Simpkins as Stephanie in "Surveillance." Ryan Simpkins as Stephanie in "Surveillance." Bill Pullman as Sam in "Surveillance." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis After a spree of horrific murders in the New Mexico desert, two FBI agents arrive at a small Santa Fe police station to interview the key witnesses. Using elaborate surveillance equipment to view the interrogations simultaneously, Sam Hallaway watches as his partner cross-examines the three survivors. As several inconsistencies emerge, it becomes clear that somebody in the room knows the truth behind the slayings.
Director
Jennifer Chambers Lynch
Producer
Kent Harper, David Michaels, Marco Mehlitz
Screenwriter
Jennifer Chambers Lynch, Kent Harper
Distributor
Magnolia Pictures
Production Co
Film Star Pictures, Blue Rider Pictures, See Film, Lago Film, Stephen Onda Productions
Rating
R (Scene of Aberrant Sexuality|Pervasive Language|Some Drug Use|Strong Bloody Violence)
Genre
Mystery & Thriller, Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 26, 2009, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 18, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$25.4K
Runtime
1h 37m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital
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