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Blue Steel

1990·Movie
1h 42min·R
IMDb5.8Metacritic546.6

Where to watch

PhiloThe RokuKanopyHooplaStarz

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

Blue Steel fingerprint

High energy, strong craft, no humor.

Energy

Nerve-racking and thrilling

Fast from start to finish.

  • Tension9
  • Adrenaline8
  • Fast Pace7

Heart

Emotionally reserved

  • Catharsis6
  • Pathos4
  • Coming of Age4

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay3
  • Dark Humor1
  • Situational Comedy0

World

Crime, the mind, and everyday modern life

  • World Immersion7
  • Dialogue Centrality6
  • Rewatchability5

Craft

Solid, not remarkable

  • Intrigue8
  • Direction7
  • Acting7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Editing7
  • Sound Centrality7
  • Cinematography6

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchPure Escapism

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Suspense movies

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

About

For a rookie cop, there's one thing more dangerous than uncovering a killer's fantasy...becoming it.

Rookie cop Megan Turner orders a burglar to drop his gun. He whirls to shoot. Too late. Turner fires, killing him instantly. When someone lifts the assailant's gun from the crime scene, the police hold Turner accountable for killing an unarmed man. That same someone carves Turner's name into the bullets and uses them in a series of murders. Turner teams up with detective Nick Mann to clear her name and catch the killer. But she is drawn into a deadly game of wits with a psychopath who's always one step ahead… and much closer than she thinks!
Gritty Neo-Noir ThrillerPsychological Cat-and-MouseUrban Crime DramaSuspenseful & TenseRookie Cop ProtagonistObsessive PsychopathAction & ShootoutsIdentity Under Threat90s Crime Aesthetic

Crew

Directed by:
Kathryn Bigelow, Nathalie Vadim, Herb Gains
Written by:
Kathryn Bigelow, Eric Red
Produced by:
Oliver Stone, Billy Hopkins, Heidi Levitt
Composed by:
Richard King, Kevin O'Connell, Donald O. Mitchell

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

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Questions about Blue Steel

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Blue Steel legally?

PhiloThe RokuKanopyHooplaStarzPlexFawesomeLionsgate+

Blue Steel is included with a subscription to Philo and Starz in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on Kanopy, Hoopla, and Plex. 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 Blue Steel worth watching?

57
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 57/100 (IMDb 5.8 and Metacritic 54). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Blue Steel rated?

RViolenceStrong languageDisturbing imagery

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

How long is Blue Steel?

1 h 42 min

Blue Steel runs 1 h 42 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on Blue Steel?

Critics54
Audiences62

Not quite. Audiences rate Blue Steel higher (62) than critics (54). It's more of a crowd-pleaser than a critics' pick.

What language is Blue Steel in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch Blue Steel?

58ARATAUBEBOBRBZCACHCLCOCRCZDE+44

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Blue Steel in 58 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Blue Steel use?

Self-Defense RuseForgotten First MeetingInconveniently Vanishing Exonerating EvidencePhallic Weapon"Not So Different" RemarkTap on the HeadAmoral AttorneyYandereInsecure Love InterestVillain Over for DinnerAx-CrazyHearing Voicesand 6 more

TV Tropes lists 18 storytelling tropes for Blue Steel, including Self-Defense Ruse, Forgotten First Meeting, Inconveniently Vanishing Exonerating Evidence.