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The Contender

2000·Movie
2h 6min·R
IMDb6.9Metacritic596.7Rotten Tomatoes76%73%

Where to watch

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

What's your score?

Your score

The Contender fingerprint

High energy, strong craft, light on feelings.

Energy

Nerve-racking and thrilling

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension9
  • Adrenaline7
  • Fast Pace7

Heart

Cathartic

  • Catharsis7
  • Hopefulness6
  • Pathos5

Humor

Some sharp wit

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay6
  • Satire & Parody4
  • Dark Humor2

World

Politics, everyday modern life, and mystery

  • Dialogue Centrality8
  • World Immersion7
  • Rewatchability6

Craft

Standout characters, performances, and storytelling

Layered plot that rewards full attention.

  • Intrigue10
  • Character Depth9
  • Acting8

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensThought-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

Sometimes you can assassinate a leader without firing a shot.

The vice president is dead, and as the president makes his choice for a replacement, a secret contest of wills is being waged by a formidable rival. When Senator Laine Hanson is nominated as the first woman in history to hold the office, hidden agendas explode into a battle for power.
Political IntrigueCharacter-Driven DramaPower DynamicsMoral DilemmasStrong PerformancesTense AtmosphereSocial CommentaryFemale EmpowermentPresidential Succession

Crew

Directed by:
Rod Lurie
Written by:
Rod Lurie
Produced by:
Gary Oldman, Mary Jo Slater, Douglas Urbanski
Composed by:
Larry Groupé

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The Contender

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Is The Contender worth watching?

68
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 68/100 (IMDb 6.9, Rotten Tomatoes 76%, and Metacritic 59). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Contender rated?

RStrong languageSexual content

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

How long is The Contender?

2 h 6 min

The Contender runs 2 h 6 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Contender?

Critics68
Audiences70

Yes. Critics average 68 and audiences 70 out of 100, so both groups see The Contender much the same way.

Was The Contender a box office hit?

Budget$20 million
Box office$22 million

Roughly broke even. It cost about $20 million to make and earned $22 million worldwide, 1.1 times its budget.

What language is The Contender in?

EnglishGerman

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

In how many countries can I watch The Contender?

14ATAUBRCACHDEGBGGIEITJPKRNZUS

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Contender in 14 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Contender use?

Big "NO!"Debate and SwitchEstablishing Character MomentFirst-Name BasisHollywood AtheistIntertwined Fingers"Not So Different" RemarkTrademark Favorite Food

TV Tropes lists 8 storytelling tropes for The Contender, including Big "NO!", Debate and Switch, Establishing Character Moment.