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Enemy of the State

Play trailer 2:01 Poster for Enemy of the State R 1998 2h 7m Mystery & Thriller Action Play Trailer Watchlist
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71% Tomatometer 82 Reviews 78% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
Corrupt National Security Agency official Thomas Reynolds (Jon Voight) has a congressman assassinated to assure the passage of expansive new surveillance legislation. When a videotape of the murder ends up in the hands of Robert Clayton Dean (Will Smith), a labor lawyer and dedicated family man, he is framed for murder. With the help of ex-intelligence agent Edward "Brill" Lyle (Gene Hackman), Dean attempts to throw Reynolds off his trail and prove his innocence.
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Enemy of the State

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Critics Consensus

An entertaining, topical thriller that finds director Tony Scott on solid form and Will Smith confirming his action headliner status.

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Critics Reviews

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Nell Minow Common Sense Media 12/24/2010
3/5
Decent thriller; not suitable for kids. Go to Full Review Lisa Alspector Chicago Reader 03/30/2009
[Its] spirited action is balanced by an almost contemplative attitude toward surveillance phobias and the movie cliches they've spawned. Go to Full Review Time Out 01/26/2006
Add Smith's lippy innocent and a host of subcontracted indie fresh faces, and you have the Bruckheimer formula: loud, lavish, seemingly efficient; over-large, over-long, over-plotted. Safe and sorry. Go to Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand 08/19/2023
It’s a shame to see a film about the intelligence community executed with so little intelligence but it’s a fun ride. Go to Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins 09/11/2020
7/10
Far ahead of its time in educating society on its rapidly diminishing freedoms from governmental scrutiny, the screenplay favorably manages not to forget to entertain. Go to Full Review Michael Gaither Santa Cruz Sentinel 03/25/2020
B+
Scott creates suspense by utilizing believable technology and realistic, well-grounded characters. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Mortal @Kostas871 6d A good hunt for the good guy that was framed by accident. It's entertaining. See more thiago s @Thiagostone Jul 26 Filme bacaninha, o roteiro é mais ou menos, as cenas são bacaninhas, a história é mais ou menos, o elenco é bacaninha, e poucos ajudam a melhorar o filme, os personagens são bacaninhas, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes. See more Kyle B @OpenStargate Jul 19 Good Will Smith movie. Enjoyed it but it’s like a one or two time watch. See more Tim M @tgmacman May 3 It gets more preposterous the longer the chase ensues, but thanks to Tony Scott's steady direction, Enemy of the State remains thoroughly watchable. See more Mark B @Mbindon Apr 29 Solid smart thriller with top notch acting. See more Alain E @AlainE Apr 18 Still can’t stand Will Smith who constantly appears in love with himself. The first five minutes of this oeuvre was enough for me. In the introduction some bad guys press a politician to vote a particular way and when he refuses they kill him. Presumably no one will replace him. In the next scene Will Smith Esq asks a secretary to send someone a case of Chianti. Chianti is an Italian wine made by different producers and at many price levels. A sophisticated lawyer would know what to send. Otherwise it is like ordering “a glass of red wine “. Yes, attention to detail is what makes a movie believable. See more Read all reviews
Enemy of the State

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Cast & Crew

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Tony Scott

Director

Will Smith

Robert Clayton Dean

Gene Hackman

Edward 'Brill' Lyle

Jon Voight

Thomas Brian Reynolds

Lisa Bonet

Rachel F. Banks

Regina King

Carla Dean

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Enemy of the State

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Enemy of the State

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Movie Info

Synopsis Corrupt National Security Agency official Thomas Reynolds (Jon Voight) has a congressman assassinated to assure the passage of expansive new surveillance legislation. When a videotape of the murder ends up in the hands of Robert Clayton Dean (Will Smith), a labor lawyer and dedicated family man, he is framed for murder. With the help of ex-intelligence agent Edward "Brill" Lyle (Gene Hackman), Dean attempts to throw Reynolds off his trail and prove his innocence.
Director
Tony Scott
Producer
Jerry Bruckheimer
Screenwriter
David Marconi
Distributor
Touchstone Home Video, Buena Vista International [us], Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co
Touchstone Pictures, Jerry Bruckheimer Films
Rating
R
Genre
Mystery & Thriller, Action
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 20, 1998, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 4, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$111.5M
Runtime
2h 7m
Sound Mix
SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS, Surround
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