Shaft
Shaft fingerprint
High energy, striking style, light on feelings.
Energy
Thrilling and tense
Fast from start to finish.
- Adrenaline8
- Tension7
- Fast Pace7
Heart
Emotionally reserved
- Nostalgia5
- Hopefulness4
- Catharsis4
Humor
A little humor
Not a comedy at heart.
- Wit & Wordplay4
- Satire & Parody3
- Dark Humor3
World
Crime, everyday modern life, and class and money
- World Immersion7
- Dialogue Centrality7
- Rewatchability6
Craft
Solid, not remarkable
- Direction7
- Acting7
- Intrigue7
Style
Standout score
- Music Composition8
- Cinematography7
- Editing7
Energy
HighThrilling and tense
Fast from start to finish.
Shaft is thrilling, tense, and fast-paced.
All energy traits
- Adrenaline8High-energy, pulse-pounding intensity.
- Tension7Edge-of-your-seat suspense and pressure.
- Fast Pace7Quick tempo and momentum.
- Violence7Physical conflict and intensity.
- Spectacle6Scale and set-piece grandeur.
- Scare1Frightening moments and scares.
Related traits
- Bleakness5Grim, stark outlooks.
Heart
LowEmotionally reserved
It keeps its emotions at a distance.
All heart traits
- Nostalgia5Warmth of memory and retro vibes.
- Hopefulness4Optimism and uplifting resolve.
- Catharsis4Emotional release and payoff.
- Romance3Love stories and emotional connections.
- Pathos3Deeply moving, empathetic emotion.
- Family Dynamics3Relationships and generational ties.
- Melancholy2Bittersweet, reflective sadness.
- Wonder2Awe, discovery, and amazement.
- Wholesome1Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
- Coming of Age0Personal growth and self-discovery.
Related traits
- Character Depth6Rich, complex characterization.
- Bleakness5Grim, stark outlooks.
Humor
LowA little humor
Not a comedy at heart.
Expect a little humor.
All humor traits
- Wit & Wordplay4Clever dialogue and verbal humor.
- Satire & Parody3Sharp critique and playful imitation.
- Dark Humor3Humor from taboo or grim topics.
- Physical Comedy2Slapstick and visual gags.
- Situational Comedy1Humor from everyday scenarios and setups.
- Cringe Humor1Awkward, uncomfortable laughs.
- Absurdist Humor1Surreal, nonsensical comedy.
World
MediumCrime, everyday modern life, and class and money
Its world is built around crime, everyday modern life, and class and money.
All world traits
- World Immersion7Depth and sensory richness of setting.
- Dialogue Centrality7Stories driven by conversation.
- Rewatchability6Invites repeat viewing.
- Novelty6Fresh ideas and invention.
- Ambiguity4Open-endedness and uncertainty.
Related traits
- Crime8Heists, investigation, and underworld.
- Contemporary Realism7Modern, grounded storytelling.
- Class & Capitalism7Wealth, power, and inequality.
- Historical6Period settings and real events.
- Mystery6Whodunnits and unraveling secrets.
- Social Commentary6Perspectives on society and norms.
Craft
MediumSolid, not remarkable
The craft is serviceable rather than remarkable.
All craft traits
- Direction7Vision and command behind the camera.
- Acting7Performance craft and presence.
- Intrigue7Curiosity and investigative pull.
- Narrative Structure6Story architecture and form.
- Dialogue Quality6Sharp writing and memorable lines.
- Character Depth6Rich, complex characterization.
- Complexity6Layered plots and ideas.
- Non-linear Narrative3Time-shifts and structure play.
- Meta Narrative1Stories about storytelling.
Related traits
- Fast Pace7Quick tempo and momentum.
- Novelty6Fresh ideas and invention.
All style traits
- Music Composition8Score and musical identity.
- Cinematography7Visual composition and camera work.
- Editing7Pacing and structure through cuts.
- Music Centrality7The score or soundtrack shapes the emotional experience.
- Visual Stylization6Distinctive aesthetic signature.
- Sound Centrality6Sound design as core element.
Related traits
- Dialogue Centrality7Stories driven by conversation.
- Spectacle6Scale and set-piece grandeur.
Who it's for
Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.
About
The mob wanted Harlem back. They got Shaft...up to here.
Actors
Crew
Sequels and Prequels
Media
Questions about Shaft
Quick answers from GoodWatch data.
Is Shaft worth watching?
Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 72/100 (IMDb 6.6, Rotten Tomatoes 88%, and Metacritic 66). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.
What is Shaft rated?
It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: violence, sexual content, strong language, and drug use.
How long is Shaft?
1 h 40 min
Shaft runs 1 h 40 min.
Do critics and audiences agree on Shaft?
Not quite. Critics rate Shaft higher (77) than audiences (67). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.
Was Shaft a box office hit?
Yes, a big one. It cost about $1 million to make and earned $12 million worldwide, 10.8 times its budget.
What language is Shaft in?
It was made in English. Produced in United States.
In how many countries can I watch Shaft?
GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Shaft in 69 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.
What tropes does Shaft use?
TV Tropes lists 43 storytelling tropes for Shaft, including Adaptational Nice Guy, Sequel Goes Foreign, Villain Ball.

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