Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows FanStore News Showtimes

Network

Play trailer Poster for Network R Released Nov 27, 1976 2h 1m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
91% Tomatometer 78 Reviews 93% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
In this lauded satire, veteran news anchorman Howard Beale (Peter Finch) discovers that he's being put out to pasture, and he's none too happy about it. After threatening to shoot himself on live television, instead he launches into an angry televised rant, which turns out to be a huge ratings boost for the UBS network. This stunt allows ambitious producer Diana Christensen (Faye Dunaway) to develop even more outrageous programming, a concept that she takes to unsettling extremes.
Watch on Fandango at Home Buy Now

Where to Watch

Network

Network

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Driven by populist fury and elevated by strong direction, powerful acting, and an intelligent script, Network's searing satire of ratings-driven news remains sadly relevant more than four decades later.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View All (78) Critics Reviews
Kevin Maher Times (UK) Everything about the movie is thrilling and flawless. Rated: 5/5 Jun 28, 2024 Full Review Peter Bradshaw Guardian Like John Updike, Chayevsky and Lumet are here giving us Memories of the Ford Administration -- only they weren’t memories at the time. This was America as it was happening, suicidal ideations born of a scotch hangover, beamed live into every home. Rated: 5/5 Jun 26, 2024 Full Review Pauline Kael The New Yorker The film looks negligently made; the lighting bleaches the actors' faces, like color TV that needs tuning, and the New York views outside feel like blown-up photographs. Jan 20, 2024 Full Review Rich Cline Shadows on the Wall Sidney Lumet's quick-paced direction feels remarkably fresh nearly half a century later. It also says something powerful about the state of the media today. And with their pointed personalities, the charismatic performances still zing. Rated: 5/5 Jul 2, 2024 Full Review Ian Kane Epoch Times “Network” is both a highly entertaining drama with lots of laugh-out-loud humor and a film that carries some very timely messages, ones that are extremely prescient in modern times. Rated: 4.5/5 Feb 13, 2023 Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand Its awfully entertaining, thanks to the self-conscious theatrics of Paddy Chayefsky, the terrific performances, and Lumets steady eye keeping the real world in perspective as the circus comes to town and stays. Apr 22, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (1000+) audience reviews
Angel C “A Sharp, Satirical Masterpiece That Still Feels Relevant Today!” Sidney Lumet’s Network is a fearless, biting satire that remains as relevant and powerful today as it was when it first hit theaters in 1976. With its brilliant script, outstanding performances, and razor-sharp commentary on the media, the film is a brilliant exploration of capitalism, the power of television, and the dangers of sensationalism. The plot centers around Howard Beale (Peter Finch), a news anchor who, after being fired, has an on-air breakdown and announces he’s going to kill himself on live TV—only to become a ratings sensation. The way the film captures the media’s exploitation of tragedy for profit is both chilling and eerily prescient. Beale’s famous “I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take it anymore!” becomes the rallying cry for an entire generation, and the movie’s exploration of the commodification of human emotion hits hard. The performances are nothing short of extraordinary. Peter Finch delivers a career-defining portrayal of Howard Beale, embodying the character’s desperation, madness, and surprising poignancy. Faye Dunaway is equally compelling as Diana Christensen, a ruthless TV executive with no moral boundaries, and her performance earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress. William Holden, as the weary news executive, and Robert Duvall, as the cynical TV network president, round out the exceptional cast, each delivering unforgettable performances that bring their complex characters to life. The screenplay, written by Paddy Chayefsky, is a masterclass in sharp dialogue and social commentary. Network boldly tackles issues like corporate greed, the decline of journalism, and the rise of infotainment with both humor and horror. It’s a searing critique of the way media shapes society and how it often prioritizes profit over truth. The film’s darkly comic tone ensures that the message is both impactful and entertaining. Visually, Lumet’s direction is simple yet effective, emphasizing the chaos and emotional volatility of the characters. The film’s pacing keeps you engaged from start to finish, and its dramatic tension only intensifies as Beale’s mental state and the network’s manipulation of him escalate. Despite being over four decades old, Network has a timeless quality to it, tapping into the same media-driven sensationalism and exploitation that still dominates the airwaves today. Its prescience about the future of television and the relationship between entertainment and reality is downright eerie. Network is a brilliant, daring, and thought-provoking film that will leave you questioning the nature of media, power, and the human condition. It’s a movie that resonates not only as a product of its time but as a cautionary tale for the future. Rating: 10/10 – A flawless masterpiece that offers a chilling and darkly comedic look at the world of media. A must-see for anyone who loves thought-provoking cinema. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/12/25 Full Review Fer S I thought it was way too slow. Not much happens in the movie. The ending is quite good though, but I do not think it is worth it. Should have been a shorter movie maybe. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 08/22/24 Full Review Roger C Don’t do it, it’s a ling and agonizing film! Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 08/20/24 Full Review Stefano L Beyond the perfect casting, acting, and script - not enough accolades are given to the amazing editing and pacing of this syperb film, which gallops and glue’s one’s interest to the screen much more than many modern movies do! And Network has a lot more to say about America than the majority of modern films do! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/20/24 Full Review stephen b Ahead of its time. Imagine what they would have thought of the Internet. About 2/3 into the film it starts to drift before finally coming back to a conclusion that fits the absurdity of what they're trying to portray. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 07/20/24 Full Review Julian S Morally, it’s a tough watch, but if you can get through it, you’ll find some golden moments scattered among the rotten parts. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 07/12/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Network

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

Foxes 70% 55% Foxes Watchlist Between the Lines 94% 52% Between the Lines Watchlist Stay Hungry 69% 40% Stay Hungry Watchlist Next Stop, Greenwich Village 86% 64% Next Stop, Greenwich Village Watchlist Slap Shot 87% 88% Slap Shot Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis In this lauded satire, veteran news anchorman Howard Beale (Peter Finch) discovers that he's being put out to pasture, and he's none too happy about it. After threatening to shoot himself on live television, instead he launches into an angry televised rant, which turns out to be a huge ratings boost for the UBS network. This stunt allows ambitious producer Diana Christensen (Faye Dunaway) to develop even more outrageous programming, a concept that she takes to unsettling extremes.
Director
Sidney Lumet
Producer
Howard Gottfried
Screenwriter
Paddy Chayefsky
Distributor
United Artists, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co
United Artists, Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Rating
R
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 27, 1976, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2008
Runtime
2h 1m
Most Popular at Home Now