The Trigger Effect

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The Trigger Effect

R

1996

1h 35m

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

72%

Tomatometer

25 Reviews

45%

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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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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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

06/14/2022

A commendable but ultimately perplexing failure.

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

11/14/2023

B-

For this film to have worked better for me, I would need an alien invasion to add to its inexplicable strangeness and paranoia.

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Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

01/06/2006

3/5

Flawed but worthy.

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Chuck O'Leary

Fantastica Daily

10/21/2005

3/5

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

07/06/2005

2/5

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thiago s

@Thiagostone Nov 15

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

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Darsou C

@RT09893534 05/06/2025

An underrated film with poignancy and standout performances

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John B

@Randalltex 04/02/2025

love, love, love this film. Interesting concept with the great performances and direction

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Jeffrey P

@vanillavoodoo1 07/08/2020

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

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adam b

09/25/2019

A drama that plays its premise spectacularly and to its bare extent and I found myself enjoying every bit of it

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07/21/2018

Very subtile und well acted thriller about the slow breakdown of society during a power outrage. Creepy like an invisible apocalypse.

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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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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