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The Formula

1980·Movie
1h 57min·R
32
BadGoodWatch score

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The Formula fingerprint

Strong craft, striking style, emotionally cool.

Energy

Tense

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension7
  • Adrenaline6
  • Spectacle6

Heart

Emotionally reserved

  • Melancholy6
  • Catharsis6
  • Nostalgia6

Humor

Some satire

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Satire & Parody6
  • Wit & Wordplay4
  • Dark Humor4

World

Mystery, politics, and technology

  • World Immersion7
  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout storytelling

Layered plot that rewards full attention.

  • Intrigue9
  • Narrative Structure8
  • Complexity8

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightSolo 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

Big Oil. Big Money. Big Mystery. Everyone’s out to make a killing.

While investigating the death of a friend and fellow cop, Los Angeles police officer Barney Caine stumbles across evidence that Nazis created a synthetic alternative to gasoline during World War II. This revelation has the potential to end the established global oil industry, making the formula a very valuable and dangerous piece of information. Eventually, Caine must contend with oil tycoon Adam Steiffel, who clearly has his own agenda regarding the formula.
Conspiracy ThrillerOil IndustryNazi SecretsPolitical IntrigueCorporate PowerHistorical MysteryMoral DilemmaSocial CommentarySuspensefulIntricate Plot

Crew

Directed by:
Composed by:

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The Formula

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Formula legally?

The Formula is included with a subscription to YouTube TV, TCM, and Artiflix in the United States. You can also 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.

Is The Formula worth watching?

32
BadGoodWatch score

Reviews are weak, with a GoodWatch score of 32/100 (IMDb 5.6 and Rotten Tomatoes 20%). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Formula rated?

RViolenceStrong language

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

How long is The Formula?

1 h 57 min

The Formula runs 1 h 57 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Formula?

Critics20
Audiences40

Not quite. Audiences rate The Formula higher (40) than critics (20). It's more of a crowd-pleaser than a critics' pick.

Was The Formula a box office hit?

Budget$13 million
Box office$9 million

No. It cost about $13 million to make and earned $9 million worldwide, 67% of its budget.

What language is The Formula in?

EnglishGermanPortugueseSpanish

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

In how many countries can I watch The Formula?

126ADAEAGALARATAUAZBABBBEBGBHBM+112

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Formula in 126 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.