Conspiracy Theory (1997)
69%RT Audience Score: 64%
Awards & Nominations: 4 wins & 1 nomination
Conspiracy Theory is a film that is as convoluted as it is entertaining. While some critics may find fault in the plot’s nonsensical nature, it is precisely this quality that makes the movie so enjoyable. Mel Gibson’s portrayal of a paranoid taxi driver is both hilarious and unsettling, and the film’s quick pace keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. Director Richard Donner’s ability to balance humor and suspense is commendable, and the result is a smart thriller that is sure to keep viewers guessing until the very end. In short, Conspiracy Theory is a must-see for anyone who enjoys a good conspiracy, a good laugh, or a good Mel Gibson performance.
Conspiracy Theory is like that one friend who always has a wild story to tell, but you’re never quite sure if they’re telling the truth or not. Mel Gibson plays a paranoid cab driver who believes in every conspiracy theory under the sun, and Julia Roberts is the lawyer who gets caught up in his web of delusions. The movie starts off strong, but like a conspiracy theory, it starts to unravel after a while. Still, it’s worth a watch just to see Mel Gibson play a character who’s even crazier than he is in real life.
Production Company(ies)
Société Nouvelle Pathé Cinéma
Distributor
Warner Bros., Warner Home Vídeo
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Queensboro Bridge, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for some violence
Year of Release
1997
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:DTS Dolby Digital SDDS
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Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
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Runtime:2h 9m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Aug 8, 1997 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 18, 2003
Genre(s)
Action
Keyword(s)
Conspiracy Theory, Mel Gibson, Julia Roberts, Patrick Stewart, Richard Donner, Brian Helgeland, Joel Silver, Action, R, Box Office, Budget, Reviewed by Carol Buckland, Lisa Schwarzbaum, Jeff Strickler, Mick LaSalle, Rick Groen, Peter Travers, Mike Massie, David Nusair, Rob Gonsalves, Dragan Antulov, Leonard Schwarz, Robert Roten, Paranoia, Government, Lawyer, New York City, Taxi Driver, CIA, Black Ops, Conspiracy Theories, Believability, Satire, Score, DOJ, Rogue Agents, Self-Fulfilling Prophecy, Convolution, RFID Chips, Black Helicopters, Tension, Suspense, Sound Mix, Dolby Digital, SDDS, DTS, Surround, Aspect Ratio, Warner Bros., Warner Home Vídeo, 35mm, Scope
Worldwide gross: $136,982,834
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $255,347,079
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 572
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 27,845,919
US/Canada gross: $75,982,834
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $141,638,147
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 542
US/Canada opening weekend: $19,313,566
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $36,002,049
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 360
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $75,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $139,806,065
Production budget ranking: 245
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $75,285,566
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $40,255,449
ROI to date (est.): 19%
ROI ranking: 1,298
Julia Roberts – Alice Sutton
Patrick Stewart – Dr. Jonas
Cylk Cozart – Agent Lowry
Steve Kahan – Mr. Wilson
Terence Alexander – Flip
Director(s)
Richard Donner
Writer(s)
Brian Helgeland
Producer(s)
Joel Silver, Richard Donner
Film Festivals
Tribeca
Awards & Nominations
4 wins & 1 nomination
Academy Awards
All Critics (44) | Top Critics (17) | Fresh (25) | Rotten (19)
Conspiracy Theory is the smartest thriller of the summer.
January 5, 2018
Carol Buckland
CNN.com
TOP CRITIC
September 7, 2011 | Rating: B-
Lisa Schwarzbaum
Entertainment Weekly
TOP CRITIC
Donner directs with an efficient hand. He keeps the action moving briskly. But most important for this format, he knows how to slip in a quick joke or two without detracting from the tension of the suspenseful plot.
November 6, 2002 | Rating: 4/5
Jeff Strickler
Minneapolis Star Tribune
TOP CRITIC
The film starts to sour after 20 minutes…
June 18, 2002 | Rating: 2/4
Mick LaSalle
San Francisco Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
…more long-winded than cunningly elaborate, more simplistic than elegantly simple, and more nonsensical than anything else.
April 12, 2002 | Rating: 2/4
Rick Groen
Globe and Mail
TOP CRITIC
…the strong impact that Gibson makes as damaged goods is diluted by selling Jerry as cute and redeemable.
May 11, 2001 | Rating: 3/5
Peter Travers
Rolling Stone
TOP CRITIC
Drollness tinges the panic and irreverence that go hand in hand with Mel Gibson; he plays crazy incredibly well.
September 11, 2020 | Rating: 8/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
…a marginally engrossing thriller that ultimately comes off as something of a disappointment…
October 23, 2009 | Rating: 2.5/4
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews
Two-thirds of a fine comedy of paranoia.
July 30, 2007 | Rating: 3/5
Rob Gonsalves
eFilmCritic.com
October 10, 2003 | Rating: 2/10
Dragan Antulov
rec.arts.movies.reviews
May 20, 2003 | Rating: 2.5/4
Leonard Schwarz
Palo Alto Weekly
March 16, 2003 | Rating: 3/4
Robert Roten
Laramie Movie Scope…
Plot
Jerry Fletcher is a man in love with a woman he observes from afar. She works for the government. Fletcher is an outspoken critic of that government. He has conspiracy theories for everything, from aliens to political assassinations. But soon, one of his theories finds itself to be accurate. But which one? Some dangerous people want him dead, and the only person he trusts is the woman he loves, but does not know.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Fresh Kernels doesn’t have anything particularly goofy or odd to say about Conspiracy Theory, but they do mention that it features Mel Gibson, Julia Roberts, and Patrick Stewart in the cast.
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