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A Shock to the System

1990·Movie
1h 31min·R
66
GoodGoodWatch score

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A Shock to the System fingerprint

Strong craft, light on feelings.

Energy

Tense

  • Tension7
  • Adrenaline6
  • Fast Pace6

Heart

Emotionally reserved

  • Melancholy6
  • Catharsis6
  • Pathos5

Humor

Some dark humor and satire

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Dark Humor7
  • Satire & Parody6
  • Wit & Wordplay5

World

Everyday modern life, crime, and mystery

  • Dialogue Centrality8
  • World Immersion7
  • Rewatchability6

Craft

Standout performances and characters

  • Acting8
  • Character Depth8
  • Intrigue8

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition6

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchDrop-in FriendlyThought-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

Climbing the corporate ladder can be murder.

When experienced advertising executive Graham Marshall loses out on a promotion to a young man, he goes down in a path of vengeance.
Dark ComedyCrime ThrillerPsychological DramaSocial SatireMoral CorruptionNew York City SettingIntriguing PlotStrong PerformancesCynical Tone

Crew

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about A Shock to the System

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream A Shock to the System legally?

A Shock to the System is included with a subscription to Philo and Fandor in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on Kanopy, Pluto TV, and Shout! Factory TV. You can also rent or buy it from Amazon Video. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is A Shock to the System worth watching?

66
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 67/100 (IMDb 6.6, Rotten Tomatoes 70%, and Metacritic 69). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is A Shock to the System rated?

RViolenceStrong language

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

How long is A Shock to the System?

1 h 31 min

A Shock to the System runs 1 h 31 min.

Is A Shock to the System based on a true story?

No. It's adapted from a novel.

Do critics and audiences agree on A Shock to the System?

Critics70
Audiences64

Yes. Critics average 70 and audiences 64 out of 100, so both groups see A Shock to the System much the same way.

What language is A Shock to the System in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch A Shock to the System?

23AUBGCACYCZDKESFIGBGGGRHKHUIE+9

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for A Shock to the System in 23 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does A Shock to the System use?

Dies Differently in the AdaptationThe Bad Guy WinsMurder Is the Best SolutionThe SociopathDriven to SuicideRight Through the WallDeath by AdaptationSecret-KeeperInterplay of Sex and ViolenceMirror CharacterAdaptational Alternate EndingFrom Nobody to Nightmareand 17 more

TV Tropes lists 29 storytelling tropes for A Shock to the System, including Dies Differently in the Adaptation, The Bad Guy Wins, Murder Is the Best Solution.