The Insider

R

Released Nov 5, 1999

2h 37m

Drama

TRAILER

for The Insider: Trailer 1

List

96%

Tomatometer

138 Reviews

90%

Audience Score

50,000+ Ratings

After seeking the expertise of former "Big Tobacco" executive Jeffrey Wigand (Russell Crowe), seasoned TV producer Lowell Bergman (Al Pacino) suspects a story lies behind Wigand's reluctance to speak. As Bergman persuades Wigand to share his knowledge of industry secrets, the two must contend with the courts and the corporations that stand between them and exposing the truth. All the while, Wigand must struggle to maintain his family life amidst lawsuits and death threats.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Apple TV

Rent The Insider on Fandango at Home, Apple TV, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Apple TV.

Critics Consensus

Intelligent, compelling, and packed with strong performances, The Insider is a potent corporate thriller.

Read Critics Reviews

Adam Nayman

The Ringer

Superbly shot and edited and boasting impeccable recreations of the 60 Minutes broadcast in which Wigand went public, The Insider matches Heat's intensity while raising the stakes.

Mar 26, 2019

Full Review

David Ansen

Newsweek

Powerfully and elegantly, The Insider reveals a chilling reality: how hard it is to tell a simple truth when big business doesn't want it told.

Mar 6, 2018

Full Review

Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

... the movie goes on a nail biting tear...

Rated: A-

Sep 12, 2017

Full Review

Chuck Klosterman

Akron Beacon Journal

As a piece of entertainment, it works amazingly well -- the story never drags and it seems to get a little more interesting with every scene.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 27, 2023

Full Review

Ray Pride

Newcity

In a century of obscene compromise, The Insider stands as a titanic moral enterprise... through image and sound and reserved yet deliquescent performance, captures men's wills. It's Heat, hushed.

Rated: 10/10

Sep 11, 2021

Full Review

Caffeinated Clint

Moviehole

Pacino and Crowe, powerful performers in their own, singular right, make for an extremely dynamic duo in this absolutely riveting, intricately plotted true account of a jaw-dropper case from a few years back.

Sep 3, 2020

Full Review

Read all reviews

Kevin L

Michael Mann is so skilled in matters of crime dramas, esp. witness silencing dramas, with more than a touch of thriller tension in them. As seen in "Collateral", "Heat" and "Manhunter", he shows prowess in writing smart, taut story lines with shrewd, natural dialogue, and the pacing to keep you invested even when some scenes requite more time and nuance. Actors must really enjoy working with him, too, cuz he really gets some damn fine performances from them. The acting here, lead by Crowe and Pacino, is stellar stuff. Both are equally authentic and compelling through their depiction of the very real case(s) the film's based on, and via Mann and Eric Roth's strong screenplay that birthed multi-dimensional, compex figures. Also strong were Plummer as Mike Wallace, Gambon, Crouse, Mazar, Hall, McGill, and Venora. It does all that stressing me out stuff mixed w/ boiling my blood a bit, but ultimately left me very satisfied and happy with having seen such a fine example of this type story/news event on the screen. And thankful again for those who put it on the line for a case like this. 4 stars

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/13/24

Full Review

A B

A top 10 movie seen by far too many people. It's just fantastic start to finish.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/08/24

Full Review

Alec C

A tantalizing tale of the costs of telling the truth in the world of media and big business! Al Pacino plays a man searching for answers and Russell Crowe is a man struggling to tell the truth as peering figures loom over them. With some emotional intensity and a sense of paranoia for whoever's keeping the story straight, this is a film that is plucked right out of our own consciousness!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/12/23

Full Review

Farah R

Al Pacino and Russell Crowe deliver a pair of powerhouse performances in this engrossing melodramatic thriller about corruption and courage.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/22/23

Full Review

Alec B

One of the best movies about the necessity and difficulty of doing the right thing. Everyone in this cast is doing career best work and Mann orchestrates this thing so well. The indictment of the media here only gets more relevant with each passing year.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/10/23

Full Review

The H

too much display of courage and protection and common sense ethics

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

11/01/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Michael Mann

Director

Al Pacino

Lowell Bergman

Russell Crowe

Jeffrey Wigand

Christopher Plummer

Mike Wallace

Diane Venora

Liane Wigand

Philip Baker Hall

Don Hewitt

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

Rogue Trader

30%

52%

Rogue Trader

Bringing Out the Dead

73%

70%

Bringing Out the Dead

The Human Stain

42%

48%

The Human Stain

Lantana

91%

82%

Lantana

Pups

90%

73%

Pups

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Taylor Sheridan’s Five Favorite Films

Five Favourite Films with Nick Love

Box Office Preview: Miami Vice Turns Up B.O. Heat

The Insider: Trailer 1

2:30

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

After seeking the expertise of former "Big Tobacco" executive Jeffrey Wigand (Russell Crowe), seasoned TV producer Lowell Bergman (Al Pacino) suspects a story lies behind Wigand's reluctance to speak. As Bergman persuades Wigand to share his knowledge of industry secrets, the two must contend with the courts and the corporations that stand between them and exposing the truth. All the while, Wigand must struggle to maintain his family life amidst lawsuits and death threats.

Director: Michael Mann
Producer: Michael Mann, Pieter Jan Brugge
Screenwriter: Eric Roth, Michael Mann
Distributor: Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co: Buena Vista (Walt Disney)
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 5, 1999, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $29.0M
Runtime: 2h 37m
Sound Mix: Surround

Most Popular at Home Now