3.6
Where can I stream Barb Wire legally?
You can rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.
Barb Wire
1996·Movie
·1h 38min·R·
Barb Wire fingerprint
High energy, emotionally cool.
Energy
Fast-paced and violent
Fast from start to finish.
- Fast Pace8
- Violence8
- Adrenaline7
Heart
Emotionally reserved
- Romance6
- Hopefulness4
- Catharsis4
Humor
Some satire and sharp wit
Not a comedy at heart.
- Satire & Parody7
- Wit & Wordplay5
- Dark Humor5
World
The future, politics, and society
- World Immersion7
- Dialogue Centrality7
- Novelty6
Craft
Solid, not remarkable
- Acting6
- Dialogue Quality6
- Intrigue6
Style
Functional look and sound
- Editing7
- Cinematography6
- Visual Stylization6
Energy
HighFast-paced and violent
Fast from start to finish.
Barb Wire is fast-paced, violent, and thrilling.
All energy traits
- Fast Pace8Quick tempo and momentum.
- Violence8Physical conflict and intensity.
- Adrenaline7High-energy, pulse-pounding intensity.
- Spectacle7Scale and set-piece grandeur.
- Tension6Edge-of-your-seat suspense and pressure.
- Scare1Frightening moments and scares.
Related traits
- Bleakness5Grim, stark outlooks.
Heart
NoneEmotionally reserved
It keeps its emotions at a distance.
All heart traits
- Romance6Love stories and emotional connections.
- Hopefulness4Optimism and uplifting resolve.
- Catharsis4Emotional release and payoff.
- Pathos3Deeply moving, empathetic emotion.
- Melancholy2Bittersweet, reflective sadness.
- Nostalgia2Warmth of memory and retro vibes.
- Coming of Age2Personal growth and self-discovery.
- Wonder2Awe, discovery, and amazement.
- Wholesome1Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
- Family Dynamics1Relationships and generational ties.
Related traits
- Bleakness5Grim, stark outlooks.
- Character Depth5Rich, complex characterization.
Humor
MediumSome satire and sharp wit
Not a comedy at heart.
Expect some satire and sharp wit.
All humor traits
- Satire & Parody7Sharp critique and playful imitation.
- Wit & Wordplay5Clever dialogue and verbal humor.
- Dark Humor5Humor from taboo or grim topics.
- Physical Comedy4Slapstick and visual gags.
- Absurdist Humor3Surreal, nonsensical comedy.
- Situational Comedy2Humor from everyday scenarios and setups.
- Cringe Humor2Awkward, uncomfortable laughs.
Related traits
- Camp & Irony7Stylized exaggeration and wink.
- Pastiche7Playful imitation of styles.
World
MediumThe future, politics, and society
Its world is built around the future, politics, and society.
All world traits
- World Immersion7Depth and sensory richness of setting.
- Dialogue Centrality7Stories driven by conversation.
- Novelty6Fresh ideas and invention.
- Rewatchability5Invites repeat viewing.
- Ambiguity4Open-endedness and uncertainty.
Related traits
- Futuristic8Speculative tech and future worlds.
- Politics7Thought-provoking works exploring political themes.
- Social Commentary7Perspectives on society and norms.
- Crime6Heists, investigation, and underworld.
- Class & Capitalism6Wealth, power, and inequality.
- Tech & Humanity6Human stories in a tech world.
Craft
MediumSolid, not remarkable
The craft is serviceable rather than remarkable.
All craft traits
- Acting6Performance craft and presence.
- Dialogue Quality6Sharp writing and memorable lines.
- Intrigue6Curiosity and investigative pull.
- Complexity6Layered plots and ideas.
- Direction5Vision and command behind the camera.
- Narrative Structure5Story architecture and form.
- Character Depth5Rich, complex characterization.
- Non-linear Narrative0Time-shifts and structure play.
- Meta Narrative0Stories about storytelling.
Related traits
- Fast Pace8Quick tempo and momentum.
- Novelty6Fresh ideas and invention.
- Homage & Reference6Allusions to other works.
Style
MediumFunctional look and sound
The look and sound stay functional.
All style traits
- Editing7Pacing and structure through cuts.
- Cinematography6Visual composition and camera work.
- Visual Stylization6Distinctive aesthetic signature.
- Music Composition5Score and musical identity.
- Sound Centrality5Sound design as core element.
- Music Centrality3The score or soundtrack shapes the emotional experience.
Related traits
- Spectacle7Scale and set-piece grandeur.
- Camp & Irony7Stylized exaggeration and wink.
- Pastiche7Playful imitation of styles.
- Dialogue Centrality7Stories driven by conversation.
Who it's for
AdultsDate NightFriends NightPartner WatchSolo WatchPure EscapismThought-Provoking
Skip it if
Graphic violence bothers youYou're watching with family
Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.
About
Don't call me babe!
A sexy nightclub owner, Barb Wire moonlights as a mercenary in Steel Harbor, one of the last free zones in the now fascist United States. When scientist Cora Devonshire wanders into Barb's establishment, she gets roped into a top-secret government plot involving biological weapons. Soon Barb is reunited with her old flame Axel Hood, who is now Cora's husband and a guerrilla fighter, resulting in plenty of tense action.
Dystopian ActionCyberpunkB-MovieSatiricalPost-ApocalypticStrong Female LeadCampyPasticheViolent
Actors
Crew
Directed by:
Written by:
Produced by:
Composed by:
Related Movies and Shows
Overall: Similar vibe.
Movies
Shows
Sequels and Prequels
No sequels or prequels available
Media
Questions about Barb Wire
Quick answers from GoodWatch data.
Is Barb Wire worth watching?
33
BadGoodWatch scoreReviews are weak, with a GoodWatch score of 34/100 (IMDb 3.6, Rotten Tomatoes 28%, and Metacritic 40). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.
What is Barb Wire rated?
RViolenceNuditySexual contentStrong language
It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: violence, nudity, sexual content, and strong language.
How long is Barb Wire?
1 h 38 min
Barb Wire runs 1 h 38 min.
Is Barb Wire based on a true story?
No. It's adapted from a comic.
Do critics and audiences agree on Barb Wire?
Critics34
Audiences31
Yes. Critics average 34 and audiences 31 out of 100, so both groups see Barb Wire much the same way.
Was Barb Wire a box office hit?
Budget$9 million
Box office$4 million
No. It cost about $9 million to make and earned $4 million worldwide, 42% of its budget.
What language is Barb Wire in?
EnglishChineseGermanFrench
It was made in English, with some Chinese, German, French. Produced in United States.
In how many countries can I watch Barb Wire?
34
+20
+20GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Barb Wire in 34 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.
What tropes does Barb Wire use?
Shout-OutAdaptational CurvesSlip into Something More ComfortableCute BruiserDisproportionate Retribution'90s Anti-HeroCombat StilettosAnti-VillainBury Your DisabledArtistic License – BiologyCut His Heart Out with a SpoonNavel-Deep Necklineand 19 more
TV Tropes lists 31 storytelling tropes for Barb Wire, including Shout-Out, Adaptational Curves, Slip into Something More Comfortable.