Conspiracy Theory

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Conspiracy Theory

R

1997

2h 9m

Mystery & Thriller

Action

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Popcornmeter

59%

Tomatometer

44 Reviews

64%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

New York City cabbie Jerry Fletcher (Mel Gibson) is an expert on paranoid conspiracy theories. He is also infatuated with government lawyer Alice Sutton (Julia Roberts), who permits his attention because he once rescued her from a mugging. However, when Jerry is captured and put through psychotic tests by Dr. Jonas (Patrick Stewart), he realizes there is an actual conspiracy. After escaping, Jerry enlists Alice's help, but she wonders whether he has uncovered a real threat or is just insane.

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Carol Buckland

CNN.com

Conspiracy Theory is the smartest thriller of the summer.

Jan 5, 2018

Full Review

Jeff Strickler

Minneapolis Star Tribune

Donner directs with an efficient hand. He keeps the action moving briskly. But most important for this format, he knows how to slip in a quick joke or two without detracting from the tension of the suspenseful plot.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 6, 2002

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Mick LaSalle

San Francisco Chronicle

The film starts to sour after 20 minutes...

Rated: 2/4

Jun 18, 2002

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Alan Jones

Radio Times

Donner glosses over the improbabilities with his usual considerable style and bravura, and Gibson and Roberts make an engaging team, but the uneasy combination of light laughs and unsavoury darkness eventually conspires against them.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 19, 2025

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Drollness tinges the panic and irreverence that go hand in hand with Mel Gibson; he plays crazy incredibly well.

Rated: 8/10

Sep 11, 2020

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a marginally engrossing thriller that ultimately comes off as something of a disappointment...

Rated: 2.5/4

Oct 23, 2009

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thiago s

Filme mais ou menos, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são mais ou menos, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

10/11/25

Full Review

Jim W

August 16, 2025. Just watched this movie again for the twentyth time. Still one of the all time great movies. Mel Gibson should have won the best actor award for this movie. Julia Roberts was at the top of her career in 1997.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/17/25

Full Review

Michael H

Fabulous film. Just enjoyable from start to finish. No let up whatsoever. Gibson is phenomenal in this one. Whoever mentioned that it is too long, is 100% INCORRECT.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/10/25

Full Review

Eye C

This one is a good movie, BUT is too long for the story, if they take away a half hour this could be a more enjoyable film.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/26/25

Full Review

Chris W

One of this 66 year olds favorite movies. Excellent ensemble cast with a great story. Great action with true emotion. 5/5. Watch “Edge of Darkness.”Just as good, if not even better.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/10/25

Full Review

Jerod S

Gibson is either brilliant or a psycho - and Roberts is a lawyer trying to decide whether to believe him or not. 90s thriller fodder.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/10/25

Full Review

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Richard Donner

Director

Mel Gibson

Jerry Fletcher

Julia Roberts

Alice Sutton

Patrick Stewart

Dr. Jonas

Cylk Cozart

Agent Lowry

Steve Kahan

Mr. Wilson

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Synopsis

New York City cabbie Jerry Fletcher (Mel Gibson) is an expert on paranoid conspiracy theories. He is also infatuated with government lawyer Alice Sutton (Julia Roberts), who permits his attention because he once rescued her from a mugging. However, when Jerry is captured and put through psychotic tests by Dr. Jonas (Patrick Stewart), he realizes there is an actual conspiracy. After escaping, Jerry enlists Alice's help, but she wonders whether he has uncovered a real threat or is just insane.

Director: Richard Donner
Producer: Joel Silver, Richard Donner
Screenwriter: Brian Helgeland
Distributor: Warner Home Vídeo, Warner Bros.
Production Co: Silver Pictures, Donner/Schuler-Donner, Warner Brothers
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 8, 1997, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 8, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $76.1M
Runtime: 2h 9m
Sound Mix: SDDS, DTS, Surround, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, Scope (2.35:1)

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