Nick of Time

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2:15

Nick of Time

R

1995

1h 29m

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

30%

Tomatometer

33 Reviews

47%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Gene Watson (Johnny Depp) arrives at an L.A. train station with his young daughter, Lynn (Courtney Chase), and is confronted by mysterious Mr. Smith (Christopher Walken) and Ms. Jones (Roma Maffia). They hand him a gun, order him to kill the state governor within 75 minutes and threaten to murder his child if he doesn't comply. Smith accompanies Watson to a hotel where the governor is to speak, while Jones holds the girl. As Watson considers his options, the hour to act draws ever nearer.

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Critics Consensus

It isn't the worst '90s action thriller, but by bungling a story pitting Johnny Depp against Christopher Walken, the rote Nick of Time ranks among the most disappointing.

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Anthony Puccinelli

Chicago Reader

If the director's emotions aren't real, aren't engaged by the story, then his characters' emotions won't be real either.

Rated: 1/4

Jun 9, 2022

Full Review

Brian Tallerico

UGO

Rated: 1/5

Mar 24, 2007

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Somehow the whole undertaking seems too contrived.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

Another bummer from John Badham.

Rated: C-

Sep 1, 2022

Full Review

PJ Nabarro

Patrick Nabarro

Fair enough if the film isn't going to be a cerebral treatment of its real-time hook, but, for the most part, it fails in its more simple and pulpy remit to thrill.

Rated: 2/5

Oct 31, 2019

Full Review

Barbara Shulgasser

Common Sense Media

'90s action-thriller has intense peril, cursing, violence.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 22, 2018

Full Review

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TI H

I can see that this movie is unpopular on Rotten Tomatoes, which surprises me. No, I would not call it a film about character development, nor would I want that kind of film in this case. NICK OF TIME is a thriller about a man who is being forced to assassinate a politician by 1:30 p.m., which gives him about an hour. Failure will result in the murder of his young daughter. The story does not waste time with a lot of setup. The threat begins immediately with skaters harassing the kid, then quickly moves into the inciting incident of meeting the bad guys who have planned the assassination. Much of the movie involves the protagonist's attempts to thwart the plan, resulting in a lot of checks but no checkmates. The whole time, I was wondering what I would have done in his shoes. //////////////// I love movies like this that do not try to be more than what they promise. You are not forced to watch days of plot unfold. Every minute counts in this movie, and I found myself feeling tense throughout. It's one of the few movies that actually delivers "nonstop" action, meaning the tension never fully lifts, and even the quieter moments fill you with dread. I give it 3.75 stars for this reason. The film grabbed me and wouldn't let go.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/23/25

Full Review

Wayne K

A solid and unpretentious Thriller from director John Badham, ‘Nick of Time" benefits from a strong performances from Johnny Depp and Christopher Walken at his most sinister. Is it predictable? Yep but it's still fun.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/11/23

Full Review

Steve D

Thrillless thriller with weak performances from those that can do better.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

Full Review

Shaun D

Had edge of seat moments and heart warming moments between the Father & Daughter. I did like a few of the minor characters. Sold film, but fairly predictable.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/26/22

Full Review

Audience Member

If it's a Johnny Deep movie, you have to analyze the movie differently, he's always a show apart.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Speaking of time, yes there are certain highly obvious flaws in this clever conspiracy thriller from 1995, and a series of non realistic elements on the level of any James Bond plot. But if you can leave it at that and just want to be entertained and adequately amused, then Nick of Time is absolutely purchasable.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

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John Badham

Director

Johnny Depp

Gene Watson

Christopher Walken

Mr. Smith

Charles S. Dutton

Huey

Peter Strauss

Brendan Grant

Roma Maffia

Ms. Jones

Nick of Time: Official Clip - Shooting the Governor

2:13

Nick of Time: Official Clip - Quick Change

1:19

Nick of Time: Official Clip - In the Nick of Time

2:06

Nick of Time: Official Clip - Taxi Ride Problems

1:57

Nick of Time: Official Clip - Deaf Shoe Shine Man

2:12

Nick of Time: Official Clip - I'll Make Gravy Out of Your Little Girl

2:05

Nick of Time: Official Clip - Shootout in the Governor's Suite

2:12

Nick of Time: Official Clip - You're Out of Your Mind

2:13

Nick of Time: Official Clip - What's Behind the Seat?

2:01

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Nick of Time: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Gene Watson (Johnny Depp) arrives at an L.A. train station with his young daughter, Lynn (Courtney Chase), and is confronted by mysterious Mr. Smith (Christopher Walken) and Ms. Jones (Roma Maffia). They hand him a gun, order him to kill the state governor within 75 minutes and threaten to murder his child if he doesn't comply. Smith accompanies Watson to a hotel where the governor is to speak, while Jones holds the girl. As Watson considers his options, the hour to act draws ever nearer.

Director: John Badham
Producer: John Badham
Screenwriter: Patrick Sheane Duncan
Production Co: Paramount Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 21, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $7.8M
Runtime: 1h 29m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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