Code 46

R

Released Sep 2, 2003

1 hr. 32 min.

Sci-Fi

Romance

Mystery & Thriller

List

52%

104 Reviews

Tomatometer

58%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

In a dystopian future, insurance fraud investigator William Gold (Tim Robbins) arrives in Shanghai to investigate a forgery ring for "papelles," futuristic passports that record people's identities and genetics. Gold falls for Maria Gonzalez (Samantha Morton), the woman in charge of the forgeries. After a passionate affair, Gold returns home, having named a coworker as the culprit. But when one of Gonzalez's customers is found dead, Gold is sent back to Shanghai to complete the investigation.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered Feb 15

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Apple TV

Rent Code 46 on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

Critics Consensus

Code 46 crafts an intriguing hypothetical future and populates it with characters who never engage, producing a slick sci-fi package without any humanity to power it.

Read Critics Reviews

ronald h

This is such an unengaging movie. The couple (Tim Robbins and Samantha Morton) not only have no screen chemistry between them, we also can't connect with them as individuals. Neither is particularly likeable or even interesting. The Orwellian scenario of the not-too-distant future is somewhat interesting, but the lame romantic aspect of the story is just outright boring. There's a typical scene at the end with insipid pop music playing, some no talent singer whining about lost love, like some big tragedy happened. Problem is, I didn't give a damn.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Although an interesting premise, the movie is way too slow. Endless sequences of walking, driving, riding the subway, eating, small talk, yechh. Could have been a 30 minute movie. Some reviewers praise the cinematography, but there are random sepia tones overlayed throughout for no reason. Just distracting. Tim Robbins' acting is compelling as always but the female lead is flat. The ending, as in so many modern movies, made no sense. Probably because the actions of the characters throughout the movie, particularly the overlords, made no sense. Waste of time.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

dave j

Dystopian movie with William Geldand (Tim Robbins )an investigator from Seattle visiting a futuristic Beijing, meeting worker Maria Gonzales (Samantha Morton) and their eventual violation of a love law called "Code 46"

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Perhaps the clearest characteristic of an authoritarian dystopia is how all character has been drained from the flat human subjects, transferred instead to the inventive technocratic regimes.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

If you dream of hearing Tim Robbins mumble the word papelle over and over until you wish for death, this is the one for you!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Love tim Robbins but this movie was no bueno...

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Michael Winterbottom

Director

Tim Robbins

William Geld

Samantha Morton

Maria Gonzales

Jeanne Balibar

Sylvie

Om Puri

Bahkland

Essie Davis

Doctor

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

19%

27%

It's All About Love

TRAILER

for It's All About Love

44%

73%

The Jacket

TRAILER

for The Jacket

45%

35%

Cube 2: Hypercube

92%

94%

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

43%

16%

Teenage Caveman

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

George Romero’s Ready with Another Zombie Movie

Lions Gate Digs Into "The Descent"

View more photos

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Disappointing sci-fi that's too intense for kids.

Rated: 2/5

Dec 22, 2010

Full Review

Nick Schager

Lessons of Darkness

A luxurious sight to behold.

Rated: C+

May 3, 2005

Full Review

Jay Boyar

Orlando Sentinel

Amid the white walls and slick surfaces of this film, the characters seem more like lab rats than human beings.

Rated: 2/5

Oct 8, 2004

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

It’s less science fiction that speculative social commentary.... You don’t have to dig deep to find echoes of Gattaca, 1984, and Brave New World sounding through the dispassionate study in alienation, social regimentation, and economic disparity.

Mar 8, 2024

Full Review

Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

High on atmosphere and big on ideas, but quietly goes about its business otherwise.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 15, 2020

Full Review

James Kendrick

Q Network Film Desk

a visually striking, but emotionally flat mash-up of romantic drama, film noir, and science fiction that sounds much more interesting than it turns out to be

Rated: 2/4

Feb 16, 2016

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

In a dystopian future, insurance fraud investigator William Gold (Tim Robbins) arrives in Shanghai to investigate a forgery ring for "papelles," futuristic passports that record people's identities and genetics. Gold falls for Maria Gonzalez (Samantha Morton), the woman in charge of the forgeries. After a passionate affair, Gold returns home, having named a coworker as the culprit. But when one of Gonzalez's customers is found dead, Gold is sent back to Shanghai to complete the investigation.

Director: Michael Winterbottom
Executive Producer: Robert Jones, David M. Thompson
Screenwriter: Frank Cottrell Boyce
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: BBC, Revolution Films
Rating: R (Scene of Sexuality|Brief Graphic Nudity)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Romance, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 2, 2003, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $197.1K
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital

Most Popular at Home Now