Gattaca

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2:26

Gattaca

PG-13

Released Oct 24, 1997

1h 52m

Sci-Fi

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Popcornmeter

82%

Tomatometer

68 Reviews

87%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Vincent Freeman (Ethan Hawke) has always fantasized about traveling into outer space, but is grounded by his status as a genetically inferior "in-valid." He decides to fight his fate by purchasing the genes of Jerome Morrow (Jude Law), a laboratory-engineered "valid." He assumes Jerome's DNA identity and joins the Gattaca space program, where he falls in love with Irene (Uma Thurman). An investigation into the death of a Gattaca officer (Gore Vidal) complicates Vincent's plans.

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Critics Consensus

Intelligent and scientifically provocative, Gattaca is an absorbing sci fi drama that poses important interesting ethical questions about the nature of science.

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Duane Byrge

The Hollywood Reporter

Stylishly scoped with ice-blue hues and smartly visualized with a forbiddingly cold design, Gattaca is an intelligently-conceived sci-fi chiller starring Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman.

Oct 25, 2019

Full Review

Mike Clark

USA Today

An institutional hush envelops the compelling cautionary fable Gattaca as if it were muffled by a velvet lab coat.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 10, 2018

Full Review

Jason Bailey

Vice

A thoughtful hybrid of sci-fi, thriller, and character drama; to give you some idea of its high-mindedness, it not only opens with a relevant Bible verse (Ecclesiastes 7:13), but in the opening credits that follow, Gore Vidal is fifth-billed.

Nov 14, 2017

Full Review

Stephen A. Russell

Orion's Shoulder (Substack)

It’s a cool-heeled but gripping musing on whether we should, just because we could, that also finds room for freaking Gore Vidal.

Mar 6, 2025

Full Review

Erick Estrada

Cinegarage

A tremendously interesting movie that questions eugenics and beyond. [Full review in Spanish]

Jun 21, 2023

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

The writer-director crafts a paranoid, discriminatory world out of ripped-from-the-headlines science. Adopting a noirish mood amid an austere dystopian backdrop, it’s the sort of Orwellian vision that could only exist in a movie.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 24, 2023

Full Review

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steve d

Fantastic movie. Poses interesting questions. I cared about the characters and wanted the main characters to succeed.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/05/25

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Tyler L

A very creative movie with a good story.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/07/25

Full Review

Madam D

An interesting plot about eugenics. Lots of great actors.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/25

Full Review

Brad S. R

Gattaca raises some important and timely themes, but it's one of the most bad feeling feel-good movies I can ever recall watching. Its tone is morose from beginning to end, from the sleek and sparse production design to Michael Nyman's oppressing score. I've thought about Gattaca often since first viewing, but I can't say it's an experience to which I've ever wanted to return.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/27/25

Full Review

Roberto T

This is a rare sci-fi/cyberpunk movie where the natural contours of the plot win out to the point that it is almost better classified as a drama than as a sci-fi movie. There is a mix of great performance and lacking dialog here and there but the story largely makes up for it with its sound ethical enquiry.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/26/25

Full Review

Wellington C

A relatively simple story, without narrative twists and turns that make it seem more complex than it really needs to be. Even so, it is very well told, without doubting the viewer's ability to connect the dots, while also reserving some good surprises along the way. Despite being classified as a science fiction action/thriller, I thought it could have been more dynamic, it seems a little too contemplative at some points. This is not something that harms the ending, but it could have been, in my opinion, even more effective in creating moments of tension and audience engagement. Some motivations could have been clearer, but the protagonist's motivation is well explored. There are some below-average performances, but the main character does very well. The emotional climax at the end is captivating and closes with a flourish. An excellent science fiction film!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/16/25

Full Review

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Andrew Niccol

Director

Ethan Hawke

Vincent Freeman

Uma Thurman

Irene Cassini

Jude Law

Jerome Eugene Morrow

Gore Vidal

Director Josef

Alan Arkin

Det. Hugo

Gattaca: Official Clip - It is Possible

2:02

Gattaca: Official Clip - Escaping the Club

2:13

Gattaca: Official Clip - I Am Not Jerome Morrow

2:07

Gattaca: Official Clip - You Are Jerome Morrow

2:01

Gattaca: Official Clip - Vincent & Irene

2:12

Gattaca: Official Clip - A De-gene-erate

2:04

Gattaca: Official Clip - Vincent Saves Anton

2:01

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Gattaca: Trailer 1

2:26

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Synopsis

Vincent Freeman (Ethan Hawke) has always fantasized about traveling into outer space, but is grounded by his status as a genetically inferior "in-valid." He decides to fight his fate by purchasing the genes of Jerome Morrow (Jude Law), a laboratory-engineered "valid." He assumes Jerome's DNA identity and joins the Gattaca space program, where he falls in love with Irene (Uma Thurman). An investigation into the death of a Gattaca officer (Gore Vidal) complicates Vincent's plans.

Director: Andrew Niccol
Producer: Danny DeVito, Michael Shamberg, Stacey Sher
Screenwriter: Andrew Niccol
Distributor: Columbia Tristar, Columbia TriStar Home Video, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Columbia Pictures
Production Co: Jersey Films, Columbia Pictures Corporation
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 24, 1997, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $12.3M
Runtime: 1h 52m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1), 35mm

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