Falling Down

Play trailer

Falling Down

R

Released Feb 26, 1993

1h 55m

Action

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

75%

Tomatometer

57 Reviews

84%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

A middle-aged man dealing with both unemployment and divorce, William Foster (Michael Douglas) is having a bad day. When his car breaks down on a Los Angeles highway, he leaves his vehicle and begins a trek across the city to attend his daughter's birthday party. As he makes his way through the urban landscape, William's frustration and bitterness become more evident, resulting in violent encounters with various people, including a vengeful gang and a dutiful veteran cop (Robert Duvall).

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

Falling Down's popcorn-friendly take on its complex themes proves disquieting -- and ultimately fitting for a bleakly entertaining picture of one man's angry break with reality.

Read Critics Reviews

Mick LaSalle

San Francisco Chronicle

A brilliant drama with black-comic undertones. The film is directed by Joel Schumacher and stars Michael Douglas, in what may be the best performance of his career,

Rated: 4/4

Jan 11, 2023

Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

None of the characters ever rises beyond the level of his or her generic functions, and by the end the overall emptiness of the conception becomes fully apparent.

Jul 18, 2011

Full Review

Richard Schickel

TIME Magazine

Let's face it, there is an element of truth in the character of D-FENS. But it is, finally, tabloid truth.

Jul 18, 2011

Full Review

Bianca Garner

Filmotomy

Its technical aspects along with Douglas’ performance are praise worthy. There is so much to admire from a screenwriting perspective as it pulls you instantly into this world...

Oct 10, 2024

Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

Falling Down," a stellar film, is Joel Schumacher's miracle.

Rated: 4.0/4.0

Sep 7, 2020

Full Review

Barbara Shulgasser

Common Sense Media

Disturbing '90s crime thriller has violence and language.

Rated: 2/5

Jul 17, 2020

Full Review

Read all reviews

Daniel C. M

Thrilling, amazing and relatable story about a man who has had enough.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/17/24

Full Review

Todd B

A good movie about a fired civilian becoming kind of a vigilante. Mike Douglas and Robert Duvall.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/30/24

Full Review

Audience Member

How much stress on your limit before you break? This is him having a mental break, but it's not forced, it's forced on him. He just takes it too far every time, but only when hostility is literally forced on him.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/09/24

Full Review

Adam S

I saw this movie in the 90s, and I still watch it. It's one of my favorites.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/05/24

Full Review

Aaron C

All time classic thriller about one man's mental health. We have all had days feeling we would like to do what he does. Could be Michael Douglas' best film

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/26/24

Full Review

Audience Member

This is one of those films when you walk away after watching the film and start talking about the scenes you like like the McDonald’s bit of this film when he asks for breakfast. I thoroughly enjoyed this film. Then again, I really like Michael Douglas and he is perfect in this role.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/06/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Joel Schumacher

Director

Michael Douglas

William Foster

Robert Duvall

Prendergast

Barbara Hershey

Beth

Rachel Ticotin

Detective Sandra

Tuesday Weld

Amanda Prendergast

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

Under Siege 2: Dark Territory

35%

38%

Under Siege 2: Dark Territory

Watchlist

On Deadly Ground

14%

35%

On Deadly Ground

Watchlist

Out for Justice

23%

53%

Out for Justice

Watchlist

Passenger 57

30%

38%

Passenger 57

Watchlist

Under Siege

83%

62%

Under Siege

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

1993’s Falling Down is an Eerie Reflection of Modern America’s Persecution Complex

View more photos

Synopsis

A middle-aged man dealing with both unemployment and divorce, William Foster (Michael Douglas) is having a bad day. When his car breaks down on a Los Angeles highway, he leaves his vehicle and begins a trek across the city to attend his daughter's birthday party. As he makes his way through the urban landscape, William's frustration and bitterness become more evident, resulting in violent encounters with various people, including a vengeful gang and a dutiful veteran cop (Robert Duvall).

Director: Joel Schumacher
Producer: Timothy Hyde Harris, Arnold Kopelson, Herschel Weingrod
Screenwriter: Ebbe Roe Smith
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Warner Bros., Le Studio Canal +, Alcor Films, Regency Enterprises
Rating: R
Genre: Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 26, 1993, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 1, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $40.4M
Runtime: 1h 55m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR

Most Popular at Home Now