7.5
Where can I stream Traffic legally?
You can rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.
Traffic fingerprint
High energy, immersive world, light on feelings.
Energy
Tense and thrilling
Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
- Tension8
- Adrenaline7
- Fast Pace7
Heart
Moving and melancholic
Much of it is about family.
- Pathos7
- Melancholy7
- Family Dynamics7
Humor
A little humor
Not a comedy at heart.
- Satire & Parody4
- Dark Humor4
- Wit & Wordplay3
World
Everyday modern life, crime, and politics
Lived-in and easy to get lost in.
- World Immersion8
- Dialogue Centrality8
- Rewatchability7
Craft
Standout direction, performances, and storytelling
Layered plot that rewards full attention.
- Intrigue9
- Complexity9
- Direction8
Style
Standout editing and cinematography
- Editing9
- Cinematography8
- Music Composition7
Energy
HighTense and thrilling
Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
Traffic is tense, thrilling, and fast-paced. The story builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
All energy traits
- Tension8Edge-of-your-seat suspense and pressure.
- Adrenaline7High-energy, pulse-pounding intensity.
- Fast Pace7Quick tempo and momentum.
- Spectacle7Scale and set-piece grandeur.
- Violence7Physical conflict and intensity.
- Scare3Frightening moments and scares.
Related traits
- Bleakness8Grim, stark outlooks.
- Slow Burn7Gradual build with payoff.
Heart
LowMoving and melancholic
Much of it is about family.
Emotionally, it's moving and melancholic. Much of it is about family.
All heart traits
- Pathos7Deeply moving, empathetic emotion.
- Melancholy7Bittersweet, reflective sadness.
- Family Dynamics7Relationships and generational ties.
- Catharsis6Emotional release and payoff.
- Hopefulness4Optimism and uplifting resolve.
- Coming of Age3Personal growth and self-discovery.
- Wonder3Awe, discovery, and amazement.
- Romance2Love stories and emotional connections.
- Wholesome2Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
- Nostalgia2Warmth of memory and retro vibes.
Related traits
- Bleakness8Grim, stark outlooks.
- Character Depth8Rich, complex characterization.
- Philosophical6Ideas about life and existence.
Humor
LowA little humor
Not a comedy at heart.
Expect a little humor.
All humor traits
- Satire & Parody4Sharp critique and playful imitation.
- Dark Humor4Humor from taboo or grim topics.
- Wit & Wordplay3Clever dialogue and verbal humor.
- Situational Comedy1Humor from everyday scenarios and setups.
- Physical Comedy1Slapstick and visual gags.
- Cringe Humor1Awkward, uncomfortable laughs.
- Absurdist Humor1Surreal, nonsensical comedy.
World
HighEveryday modern life, crime, and politics
Lived-in and easy to get lost in.
Its world is built around everyday modern life, crime, and politics. The setting feels lived-in and easy to get lost in.
All world traits
- World Immersion8Depth and sensory richness of setting.
- Dialogue Centrality8Stories driven by conversation.
- Rewatchability7Invites repeat viewing.
- Novelty7Fresh ideas and invention.
- Ambiguity6Open-endedness and uncertainty.
Related traits
- Contemporary Realism9Modern, grounded storytelling.
- Crime9Heists, investigation, and underworld.
- Politics9Thought-provoking works exploring political themes.
- Social Commentary9Perspectives on society and norms.
- Psychological8Inner worlds and mind games.
- Mystery7Whodunnits and unraveling secrets.
Craft
HighStandout direction, performances, and storytelling
Layered plot that rewards full attention.
The direction, performances, and storytelling stand out. The plot is layered and rewards full attention.
All craft traits
- Intrigue9Curiosity and investigative pull.
- Complexity9Layered plots and ideas.
- Direction8Vision and command behind the camera.
- Acting8Performance craft and presence.
- Narrative Structure8Story architecture and form.
- Character Depth8Rich, complex characterization.
- Dialogue Quality7Sharp writing and memorable lines.
- Non-linear Narrative7Time-shifts and structure play.
- Meta Narrative1Stories about storytelling.
Related traits
- Novelty7Fresh ideas and invention.
- Educational7Informative and instructive.
- Slow Burn7Gradual build with payoff.
- Fast Pace7Quick tempo and momentum.
- Philosophical6Ideas about life and existence.
Style
HighStandout editing and cinematography
Look and sound: the editing and cinematography stand out.
All style traits
- Editing9Pacing and structure through cuts.
- Cinematography8Visual composition and camera work.
- Music Composition7Score and musical identity.
- Visual Stylization7Distinctive aesthetic signature.
- Sound Centrality7Sound design as core element.
- Music Centrality6The score or soundtrack shapes the emotional experience.
Related traits
- Dialogue Centrality8Stories driven by conversation.
- Spectacle7Scale and set-piece grandeur.
Who it's for
AdultsFriends NightPartner WatchSolo WatchThought-Provoking
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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.
About
No one gets away clean
An exploration of the United States of America's war on drugs from multiple perspectives. For the new head of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the war becomes personal when he discovers his well-educated daughter is abusing cocaine within their comfortable suburban home. In Mexico, a flawed, but noble policeman agrees to testify against a powerful general in league with a cartel, and in San Diego, a drug kingpin's sheltered trophy wife must learn her husband's ruthless business after he is arrested, endangering her luxurious lifestyle.
Multi-NarrativeCrime DramaWar on DrugsMoral AmbiguityPolitical IntrigueCharacter StudyAddictionSocial CommentaryBleak Realism
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 Traffic
Quick answers from GoodWatch data.
Is Traffic worth watching?
83
GreatGoodWatch scoreYes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 84/100 (IMDb 7.5, Rotten Tomatoes 93%, and Metacritic 86). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.
What is Traffic rated?
RDrug useStrong languageViolence
It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: drug use, strong language, and violence.
How long is Traffic?
2 h 27 min
Traffic runs 2 h 27 min.
Do critics and audiences agree on Traffic?
Critics90
Audiences80
Not quite. Critics rate Traffic higher (90) than audiences (80). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.
Was Traffic a box office hit?
Budget$48 million
Box office$208 million
Yes. It cost about $48 million to make and earned $208 million worldwide, 4.3 times its budget.
What language is Traffic in?
EnglishSpanish
It was made in English, with some Spanish. Produced in United States.
In how many countries can I watch Traffic?
70
+56
+56GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Traffic in 70 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.
What tropes does Traffic use?
Moral GuardiansReports of My Death Were Greatly ExaggeratedColor WashAs HimselfKarma HoudiniWham ShotGood Cop/Bad CopMeal TicketBittersweet EndingReasonable Authority FigureThe CartelArtistic License – Historyand 57 more
TV Tropes lists 69 storytelling tropes for Traffic, including Moral Guardians, Reports of My Death Were Greatly Exaggerated, Color Wash.