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      The Trigger Effect

      R Released Aug 30, 1996 1 hr. 35 min. Mystery & Thriller List
      73% 26 Reviews Tomatometer 43% 1,000+ Ratings Audience Score 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. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Premiered Apr 18 Buy Now

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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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      Audience Reviews

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      Yohanna G Worst and most unlikeable character. Painful to watch these idiots. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 09/26/22 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 william k Moralizing doomsday tale has a good premise exploring the effects of a catastrophe on human society, but, despite serviceable performances, it is unsatisfactorily uneven and inconsequential. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 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 Post a rating

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      Critics Reviews

      View All (26) Critics Reviews
      Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader A commendable but ultimately perplexing failure. Jun 14, 2022 Full Review Lisa Schwarzbaum Entertainment Weekly Rated: B Sep 7, 2011 Full Review Susan Stark Detroit News Rated: 2/4 Jan 1, 2000 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 Read all reviews

      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
      Executive Producer
      Laurie MacDonald, Gerald R. Molen, Walter F. Parkes
      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
      Sound Mix
      Surround
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