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The Substitute

1996·Movie
1h 54min·R
IMDb6.1Metacritic415.4Rotten Tomatoes44%40%

Where to watch

PrimefuboTVPeacockThe RokuThe CW

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

What's your score?

Your score

The Substitute fingerprint

High energy, emotionally cool.

Energy

Brutally violent and thrilling

Fast from start to finish.

  • Violence9
  • Adrenaline8
  • Fast Pace8

Heart

Emotionally reserved

  • Catharsis6
  • Nostalgia6
  • Pathos3

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Physical Comedy4
  • Wit & Wordplay3
  • Situational Comedy2

World

Crime and everyday modern life

  • World Immersion7
  • Rewatchability6
  • Dialogue Centrality5

Craft

Solid, not remarkable

  • Direction7
  • Acting7
  • Intrigue7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition6

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightParty VibePartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensPure Escapism

Skip it if

Graphic violence bothers youYou want something quiet and calm

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

The most dangerous thing about school used to be the students.

When an inner-city Miami schoolteacher gets her knee broken after standing up to the school's gang leader, her mercenary combat specialist boyfriend goes undercover as a substitute teacher to take down the punk. Soon he discovers a conspiracy of criminals at work, and must reassemble his team from his last jungle raid to stop them.
Gritty Action ThrillerUndercover MissionUrban CrimeVigilante JusticeExplosive Violence90s ActionHigh StakesConspiracy PlotMercenary Revenge

Crew

Directed by:
Robert Mandel, Glenn Randall Jr., Thomas A. Irvine
Written by:
Alan Ormsby, Roy Frumkes, Rocco Simonelli
Produced by:
Mary Colquhoun, Lou Fusaro, Don Carmody
Composed by:
Gary Chang, Vanessa Theme Ament, Frank Fleming

Sequels and Prequels

GoodWatch49
Poster for The Substitute

Media

Questions about The Substitute

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Substitute legally?

PrimefuboTVPeacockThe RokuThe CWHooplaFandango at Home FreeVIX

The Substitute is included with a subscription to Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Peacock, and Amazon Prime Video with Ads in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on The CW, Hoopla, and Fandango at Home Free. You can also 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.

Is The Substitute worth watching?

49
MediocreGoodWatch score

Reviews are weak, with a GoodWatch score of 49/100 (IMDb 6.1, Rotten Tomatoes 44%, and Metacritic 41). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Substitute rated?

RViolenceStrong language

It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: violence and strong language.

How long is The Substitute?

1 h 54 min

The Substitute runs 1 h 54 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Substitute?

Critics43
Audiences52

Not quite. Audiences rate The Substitute higher (52) than critics (43). It's more of a crowd-pleaser than a critics' pick.

What language is The Substitute in?

EnglishSpanish

It was made in English, with some Spanish. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch The Substitute?

49ARATAUBEBOBRCACHCLCOCRCUCZDE+35

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Substitute in 49 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Substitute use?

Oh, Crap!Bullying a DragonDepartment of Redundancy DepartmentDrugs Are BadWhite Man's BurdenBadass BoastRunning GagPrecision F-StrikeScrew the Money, I Have Rules!Bittersweet EndingCatch and ReturnCrapsack Worldand 63 more

TV Tropes lists 75 storytelling tropes for The Substitute, including Oh, Crap!, Bullying a Dragon, Department of Redundancy Department.