8MM

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8MM

R

1999

2h 3m

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

23%

Tomatometer

83 Reviews

52%

Popcornmeter

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

Full Review

Derek Elley

Variety

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

Jul 22, 2008

Full Review

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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Noneof Y.

This movie was nothing more than an attempt to destroy people's lives enough to lay the foundation for criminals took take advantage of like Prince Yahshua

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

11/26/25

Full Review

G R

7/10 putting stars a bit higher because of jegative reviews.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/23/25

Full Review

Audience Member

Vi duas vezes o filme, acredito que ele tem uma ótima proposta, talvez tivesse que ser maior para que a trama fosse desenvolvida, alguns diálogos deixam a desejar, mas de modo geral prende você na tela, você realmente quer saber o que vai acontecer.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/09/25

Full Review

matti k

Excellent thriller! No gaps in the plot, no ”divine intervention” in the screenplay - good 90’s noir film this is!! The screenplay goes to the length that exceeds the viewers expectations. Cage is at his bests. Compared to ’Seven’ this was more realistic bearing in mind what the darkside of the webb is producing for the sick human minds in the horrorfying reality. I dont understand the critique about some excessive violence even in the standards of the time of making this film. Worth watching. Directing, acting, filming, lighting, everything in order for well earned four stars.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/07/25

Full Review

Stephen C

Failure in 2 hours and 3 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $36,300,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/27/25

Full Review

O g

The promise of the opening five minutes rapidly fades. Could have been an intriguing distant cousin of Eyes Wide Shut but in the end they play it for screwball weirdness and so neutralise any menace

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

10/27/25

Full Review

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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

8MM: Official Clip - Norman Reedus Cameo

1:06

8MM: Official Clip - It's a Trap, Nick Cage!

4:07

8MM: Official Clip - Nick Cage vs. The Machine

3:13

8MM: Official Clip - BRUTAL Gimp Attack

6:00

8MM: Official Clip - This Snuff Film Is Fake-- Or Is It?

3:32

8MM: Official Clip - P*rn Directors Are CREEPY AF

2:42

8MM: Official Clip - Joaquin Phoenix: P*rn Expert

2:20

8MM: Official Clip - Nic Cage DEMANDS Answers

2:06

8MM: Official Clip - Nick Cage Beats James Gandolfini to Death

1:18

8MM: Official Clip - Pull The F*cking Trigger!

3:26

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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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