F/X

R

1986

1h 48m

Mystery & Thriller

Action

List

89%

27 Reviews

Tomatometer

54%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Rollie Tyler (Bryan Brown) is a special-effects expert for low-budget Hollywood movies. As gangster Nicholas DeFranco (Jerry Orbach) prepares to testify in court against his former bosses, FBI agents, fearing Nicholas will be killed by the mob before he can take the stand, decide to fake his assassination. The agents hire Rollie to use his special-effects skills to make the murder look believable. Leo McCarthy (Brian Dennehy), a detective, steps in to investigate the murder.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered Oct 03

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Max

Watch F/X with a subscription on Max, rent on Fandango at Home, or buy on Fandango at Home.

Critics Consensus

Smart, twisty, and perfectly cast, the effects-assisted neo-noir F/X reminds viewers that a well-told story is the most special effect of all.

Read Critics Reviews

Audience Member

What's the illusion, what's the reality? You never actually know when it comes to Hollywood. A special effects man Rollie Tyler gets the assignment of his life when the FBl asks him to stage an assassination. It's to bring down Jerry Orbach's gangster, Nicholas DeFranco. They assure him it's all fake but this man's life starts to spiral. It gets harder when a detective Leo played by Brian Dennehy steps in to investigate. Rollie's caught in the middle of a cat and mouse game. Now it's up to him to strike back. He utilizes his pyrotechnics and makeup techniques to throw his enemies off. The direction is pitch perfect, the music is intense, some of the focus on Rollie is a bit botched when it switches back to Leo though. A very well told story that doesn't just rely on the mastery of illusion. Sure it's conventional and there's a few gaping plot holes to be had but it's exciting as a popcorn thriller.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/08/24

Full Review

Yuval B

One of my childhood favorite!!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/22/24

Full Review

Dallas H

This would be the routine popcorn flick for passive entertainment. Don't expect a thorough examination of the special effects industry. It is primarily the usual plot-driven script about a man running around in the rain, trying not to get murdered by the evil guys.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/20/24

Full Review

Stoner J

Fantastic mid-80s movie, the story is just good and it was done well.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/12/23

Full Review

Ian B

This is a clever plot which is unique and not done to death. Fast paced with fine acting from all involved. Brown being Australian gives it a point of difference while Dennehy adds his usual gruff style. Im glad i revisited after all these yrs

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/07/23

Full Review

Steve D

None of it remotely worked for me.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

08/29/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Robert Mandel

Director

Bryan Brown

Roland "Rollie" Tyler

Brian Dennehy

Lt. Leo McCarthy

Diane Venora

Ellen Keith

Cliff DeYoung

Martin Lipton

Mason Adams

Col. Mason

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

F/X: Official Clip - Nobody Dies Like You

1:41

F/X: Official Clip - Escape From the Morgue

1:44

F/X: Official Clip - Trunk Torture

2:15

F/X: Official Clip - No Loose Ends

2:16

F/X: Official Clip - Playing Games

2:28

F/X: Official Clip - Krazy-Glued Gun

1:54

F/X: Official Clip - Borrowing a Badge

3:17

F/X: Official Clip - Marked for Death

4:16

F/X: Official Clip - Giving 'Em the Slip

2:54

View more videos

92%

73%

No Way Out

80%

86%

Lethal Weapon

53%

44%

The Dead Pool

94%

94%

Die Hard

TRAILER

for Die Hard

51%

54%

Sudden Impact

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

24 Times The Government Overspent Your Money (In Film & TV)

View more photos

Paul Attanasio

Washington Post

Taking a page from Hitchcock, "F/X" is a nicely knitted thriller, effective if conventional...

Jan 3, 2018

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

As contrived and plot-hole ridden as it is, F/X still works quite effectively as a crowd-pleasing popcorn picture.

Apr 9, 2008

Full Review

Time Out

The action sequences are efficiently handled, but look elsewhere for psychological or emotional insight.

Jan 26, 2006

Full Review

Sarah Boslaugh

TheArtsStl

... F/X richly deserves its reputation as a well-scripted thriller that showcases its talented cast as well as its many NYC locations.

Rated: 7/10

Dec 8, 2022

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

While F/X will doubtless continue to play best for those of us who knew it back when, it should still effectively engage all but the most cynical of today's seen-it-all film fans.

Rated: 3.5/4

Feb 12, 2022

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a better-than-average 1980s thriller.

Rated: 3/4

Feb 4, 2021

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

Rollie Tyler (Bryan Brown) is a special-effects expert for low-budget Hollywood movies. As gangster Nicholas DeFranco (Jerry Orbach) prepares to testify in court against his former bosses, FBI agents, fearing Nicholas will be killed by the mob before he can take the stand, decide to fake his assassination. The agents hire Rollie to use his special-effects skills to make the murder look believable. Leo McCarthy (Brian Dennehy), a detective, steps in to investigate the murder.

Director: Robert Mandel
Producer: Michael Peyser
Screenwriter: Gregory Fleeman, Robert T. Megginson
Production Co: Orion Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 7, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $19.9M
Runtime: 1h 48m
Sound Mix: Surround

Most Popular at Home Now