8MM

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8MM

R

Released Feb 26, 1999

2h 3m

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

24%

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84 Reviews

52%

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100,000+ Ratings

Private detective Tom Welles (Nicolas Cage) lives a normal life with his wife (Catherine Keener) and young daughter, until he receives a startling new case. A widow named Mrs. Christian (Myra Carter) has found what appears to be a snuff film among her late husband's belongings, and she wants Welles to determine if the movie is real or fake. Welles heads to California, where a video store employee (Joaquin Phoenix) helps him infiltrate the dangerous and depraved world of illegal porn movies.

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Critics Consensus

Its sadistic violence is unappealing and is lacking in suspense and mystery.

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Andrew Sarris

Observer

Mr. Cage has become such a wet-eyed purveyor of moral anguish that he makes Mr. Pitt look calm, cool and collected.

Mar 21, 2019

Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

I can't say I warmed to the results, but I was solidly held for the film's two hours.

Sep 17, 2008

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Derek Elley

Variety

A movie that keeps jumping the gate and finally unravels all over the floor.

Jul 22, 2008

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Stephanie Malone

Morbidly Beautiful

It's a daring, divisive thriller that may not appeal to all viewers thanks to its disturbing themes, but it remains a thought-provoking and intense thriller that has managed to maintain every bit of its devastating impact twenty-five years later.

Rated: 5/5

Oct 1, 2024

Full Review

Chris Alexander

Alexander On Film

I believe 8MM to be (Schumacher's) masterpiece and certainly, it's further evidence that Cage is one of the great dramatic screen presences when used properly and when dialing down his patented eccentricities

Nov 26, 2020

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Cage himself is rarely convincing in the part of a man in over his head; his dialogue is forced and his anger and rage are almost comical.

Rated: 3/10

Sep 9, 2020

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kristin h

Yes, Nicholas Cage is insufferable, but I enjoyed this movie in spite of his...whatever the hell he's been doing in every movie since Raising Arizona.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/20/24

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mark g

This movie was awesome. Get some critics that got a pair.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/07/24

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Thomas G

Underrated movie. The “Machine” was my favorite character…

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/05/24

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Tony S

This is a highly disturbing film. Not for the gentle of heart.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

08/25/24

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Audience Member

Really enjoyed it. A departure for Cage and reminds you he can actually act without being a novelty. A dark, gritty voyage into the seedy under world and it pays off. Some fantastic characters especially Gandolfini. It's a perfect friday night watch and reminds me of classics like Blowout. The only criticism would be the fairly laborious build up in parts and the lack of character development for the main antagonist "the machine" he should have been introduced as a civilian earlier leading up to a big twist.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/10/24

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Ronald H

You'll be sorry that you watched this. It's two hours of unrelenting, gratuitous sleaze. It always amazes me when a major studio releases a film that's this objectionable, with A-list actors and a big budget. It says a lot about what Hollywood thinks of audiences. Nicholas Cage plays a respectable private investigator, married with a baby daughter (Catherine Keener plays the hapless wife), who is hired by a wealthy widow to identify the victim of a snuff film she found after he died. He descends into the world of sadomasochistic porn until he finally finds the filmmaker and his associates. No big spoiler: He kills them all. Cage overdoes the "respectable" aspect early in the film, with bland mannerisms. He was directed to do so, to provide contrast with the violent vigilante he becomes in the final act. I can't remember the last time I recoiled and winced so much during a movie. I almost always watch movies to the end, no matter how bad, because I want to see how the story evolves and concludes. After sitting through this one, I was mad at myself.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

06/06/24

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Joel Schumacher

Director

Nicolas Cage

Tom Welles

Joaquin Phoenix

Max California

James Gandolfini

Eddie Poole

Peter Stormare

Dino Velvet

Anthony Heald

Daniel Longdale

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Synopsis

Private detective Tom Welles (Nicolas Cage) lives a normal life with his wife (Catherine Keener) and young daughter, until he receives a startling new case. A widow named Mrs. Christian (Myra Carter) has found what appears to be a snuff film among her late husband's belongings, and she wants Welles to determine if the movie is real or fake. Welles heads to California, where a video store employee (Joaquin Phoenix) helps him infiltrate the dangerous and depraved world of illegal porn movies.

Director: Joel Schumacher
Producer: Judy Hofflund, Gavin Polone, Joel Schumacher
Screenwriter: Andrew Kevin Walker
Distributor: Sony Pictures Entertainment, Columbia TriStar Home Video, Columbia Pictures, United Artists
Production Co: Hofflund/Polone, Columbia Pictures Corporation
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 26, 1999, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 21, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $36.3M
Runtime: 2h 3m
Sound Mix: Surround, SDDS, Dolby Digital

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