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The Trigger Effect

Play trailer Poster for The Trigger Effect R Released Aug 30, 1996 1h 35m Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
73% Tomatometer 26 Reviews 44% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
When a blackout hits, it doesn't take long before Matthew (Kyle MacLachlan) and Annie (Elisabeth Shue) start breaking the law to protect themselves as they steal medicine for their sick child. But when the power stays out for several days and violence erupts, both the couple and their friend, Joe (Dermot Mulroney), decide that the best action is driving to Annie's parents' home. During the long road trip, they must stop to steal gasoline -- but those with resources are desperately guarding them.
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The Trigger Effect

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Critics Consensus

The Trigger Effect offers a captivating tale of paranoia and societal collapse, even if it runs out of thrills early on.

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Critics Reviews

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Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader A commendable but ultimately perplexing failure. Jun 14, 2022 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews For this film to have worked better for me, I would need an alien invasion to add to its inexplicable strangeness and paranoia. Rated: B- Nov 14, 2023 Full Review Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com Flawed but worthy. Rated: 3/5 Jan 6, 2006 Full Review Chuck O'Leary Fantastica Daily Rated: 3/5 Oct 21, 2005 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 2/5 Jul 6, 2005 Full Review Dragan Antulov rec.arts.movies.reviews Rated: 6/10 Sep 15, 2003 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Darsou C An underrated film with poignancy and standout performances Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 05/06/25 Full Review John B love, love, love this film. Interesting concept with the great performances and direction Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/02/25 Full Review Audience Member Ummm... more interesting than usual given that reality for all is seemingly teetering closer than ever before to similar circumstances as in this 25-year-old movie. This was decent, somewhat dated but not so much that it keeps the viewer from relating to it. 3 of 5 Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review adam b A drama that plays its premise spectacularly and to its bare extent and I found myself enjoying every bit of it Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Very subtile und well acted thriller about the slow breakdown of society during a power outrage. Creepy like an invisible apocalypse. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/29/23 Full Review Audience Member Tensions rise among Californians during a massive power outage. Surprisingly tense with some nice subtlety. Screenwriter David Koepp's directorial debut. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Trigger Effect

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Cast & Crew

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David Koepp

Director

Kyle MacLachlan

Matthew

Elisabeth Shue

Annie Kay

Dermot Mulroney

Joe

Richard T. Jones

Raymond

Michael Rooker

Gary

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The Trigger Effect

The Trigger Effect (1996) The Trigger Effect (1996) The Trigger Effect (1996) The Trigger Effect (1996) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis When a blackout hits, it doesn't take long before Matthew (Kyle MacLachlan) and Annie (Elisabeth Shue) start breaking the law to protect themselves as they steal medicine for their sick child. But when the power stays out for several days and violence erupts, both the couple and their friend, Joe (Dermot Mulroney), decide that the best action is driving to Annie's parents' home. During the long road trip, they must stop to steal gasoline -- but those with resources are desperately guarding them.
Director
David Koepp
Producer
Michael Grillo
Screenwriter
James Burke, David Koepp
Distributor
Gramercy Pictures
Production Co
Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment
Rating
R
Genre
Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 30, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 10, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$3.6M
Runtime
1h 35m
Sound Mix
Surround
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