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Conspiracy Theory

  • 1997
  • R
  • 2h 15m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
112K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,981
613
Mel Gibson and Julia Roberts in Conspiracy Theory (1997)
Home Video Trailer from Warner Home Video
Play trailer0:29
1 Video
68 Photos
Conspiracy ThrillerDark ComedyPolitical ThrillerPsychological ThrillerActionDramaMysteryThriller

A taxi driver with a penchant for conspiracy theories becomes a target after one of these theories turns out to be true. Unfortunately, to save himself, he has to figure out which theory it ... Read allA taxi driver with a penchant for conspiracy theories becomes a target after one of these theories turns out to be true. Unfortunately, to save himself, he has to figure out which theory it is.A taxi driver with a penchant for conspiracy theories becomes a target after one of these theories turns out to be true. Unfortunately, to save himself, he has to figure out which theory it is.

  • Director
    • Richard Donner
  • Writer
    • Brian Helgeland
  • Stars
    • Mel Gibson
    • Julia Roberts
    • Patrick Stewart
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.7/10
    112K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    2,981
    613
    • Director
      • Richard Donner
    • Writer
      • Brian Helgeland
    • Stars
      • Mel Gibson
      • Julia Roberts
      • Patrick Stewart
    • 217User reviews
    • 70Critic reviews
    • 50Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 wins & 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    Conspiracy Theory
    Trailer 0:29
    Conspiracy Theory

    Photos68

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    + 62
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    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Mel Gibson
    Mel Gibson
    • Jerry Fletcher
    Julia Roberts
    Julia Roberts
    • Alice Sutton
    Patrick Stewart
    Patrick Stewart
    • Dr. Jonas
    Cylk Cozart
    • Agent Lowry
    Steve Kahan
    Steve Kahan
    • Wilson
    • (as Stephen Kahan)
    Terry Alexander
    Terry Alexander
    • Flip
    Alex McArthur
    • Cynic
    Rod McLachlan
    Rod McLachlan
    • Justice Guard
    Michael Potts
    Michael Potts
    • Justice Guard
    Jim Sterling
    Jim Sterling
    • Justice Guard
    Rich Hebert
    • Public Works Man
    Brian J. Williams
    Brian J. Williams
    • Clarke
    G.A. Aguilar
    • Piper
    Cece Neber Labao
    • Finch's Secretary
    Saxon Trainor
    Saxon Trainor
    • Alice's Secretary
    Claudia Stedelin
    Claudia Stedelin
    • Wilson's Secretary
    Leonard Jackson
    Leonard Jackson
    • Old Man - Bookstore
    Donal Gibson
    Donal Gibson
    • Doctor - Roosevelt Hospital
    • Director
      • Richard Donner
    • Writer
      • Brian Helgeland
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews217

    6.7111.9K
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    Featured reviews

    7roger-395

    If you think they might be out to get you it's possible they just be might be!

    When I picked up this video for a couple of bucks I'd never heard of it, and Mel Gibson and Julia Roberts don't seem a likely pair. I was therefore pleasantly surprised by the film. It has heart, decent performances, especially by Gibson who plays against type, an interesting story, quite a few surprises, and for anyone who loves a good conspiracy this presents one. I've seen it several times and it always entertains. Definitely worth a look.
    FloTheDoorWoman

    Great

    This movie could be classified into different genres - suspense, romance & thriller. Not many films can say that, or if they can, many do not succeed. Conspiracy Theory, however, did.

    The first time I saw this, I was on the edge of my seat. It was very suspensful. I won't go into details if you haven't seen it, but it's really one of the best suspense films I've seen.

    This wasn't a completely romantic film, no. In fact, I wish it would've touched on the romance more than it did. Mel Gibson and Julia Roberts had great chemistry. Although nothing really happened between them, the audience could clearly see Jerry's (Mel Gibson)love for Alice (Julia Roberts.)

    Now, the plot. Jerry Fletcher has many wild conspiracy theories - including one that NASA is trying to kill the President with earthquakes. He's a cabbie & tells lots of people his ideas. But the one person he seems to tell the most to and thinks can help him is Alice Sutton, an attorney. He saved her months before the movie takes place when she was mugged. He seems to get on her nerves, but she puts up with him. He goes to her office all the time. He's obviously in love with her, but she doesn't feel the same way. Well, somehow "they" (CIA, FBI, you know "they") find out about Jerry's crazy conspiracies & they go after him. He and Alice are in danger.

    The acting in this movie was terrific. This may be Mel's best. His portrayal of a crazy cabbie was so good and believable. It's not really like any other role he has played. He did it so well & the audience sympathized with him completely. Julia was good too. Her role wasn't really difficult to play, but she made it believably nevertheless. Patrick Stewart also stars in this. He made a great bad guy.

    Overall, this movie was great. It was very suspensful & the acting was outstanding.
    Klectron

    What an underrated movie!

    Mel Gibson gives a great performance here, as well as Julia Roberts! The story is really good, and the movie has some great plot twists. The only thing I disliked was the fact that Patrick Stewart didn't have a bigger role...

    The movie also has quite some funny moments and lots of action. This definately is one of Richard Donner's best films to date, due especially to the outstanding performance of Mel Gibson! If you haven't seen it yet and if you're looking for an intelligent, well-acted movie, this is the one!
    7dcastor

    Atmosphere beats plot.

    When renting the Conspiracy Theory, I had a one and a half year old kid with me in the video store. While desperately trying to stop him from reaching for every accessible piece of candy, choosing a movie was really just a matter of finding an eye-catching box as fast as possible. The faces of Mel Gibson and Julia Roberts did the job, and I was not to be disappointed.

    The story of an obviously mad taxi driver, Gibson, trying to get a well situated beautiful woman, Roberts, to share his conception of the American government as being just about based on far-reaching conspiracies is, though intriguing, hardly convincing. This lack of credibility in the story is however well compensated by the lead actors; if the incredible plot would actually unfold in real life, Gibson and Roberts would definitely be there. This movie is definitely worth watching, not for its story-line which tries, but fails, to surprise, but for the charming atmosphere around the main characters, peaking with their short visit to Jerry's (Gibson's) apartment. I award it seven pleasant and rather humorous stars!
    7blanche-2

    Just because you're paranoid...

    In 1997's Conspiracy Theory, Jerry Fletcher (Mel Gibson) is a conspiracy theorist. He has a conspiracy for everything and is constantly talking about them. He publishes a newsletter that has five subscribers.

    Jerry is in love with Alice Sutton (Julia Robert's) whom he saved from a mugging. She works for the US attorney. Jerry visits her constantly without an appointment. She lets him even though she's not totally sure why.

    It turns out that one of Jerry's conspiracy theories is correct because he's picked up and tortured by the CIA. He manages to escape.

    When Alice visits him in the hospital, he tells her he's going to be killed and begs her to switch his chart with the man across from him. Alice denies doing it the next day when the man across from Jerry suddenly dies, and she's told it's the wrong man, not Jerry.

    For what it was, the film was too long. It is, however, intriguing. Gibson does a good job as a man who acts crazy and spends a lot of time talking to himself. Robert's plays the confused Alice well.

    Lots of New York City scenes. For me Richard Donner's direction is a little scattered. I saw this film at a screening. It came and went quickly.

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    Related interests

    Gene Hackman in The Conversation (1974)
    Conspiracy Thriller
    Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Sian Clifford in Fleabag (2016)
    Dark Comedy
    Dustin Hoffman and Robert Redford in All the President's Men (1976)
    Political Thriller
    Rosamund Pike in Gone Girl (2014)
    Psychological Thriller
    Bruce Willis in Die Hard (1988)
    Action
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway in Chinatown (1974)
    Mystery
    Cho Yeo-jeong in Parasite (2019)
    Thriller

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      According to Richard Donner, Mel Gibson improvised the opening scenes in which his character expounds his conspiracy theories to a succession of passengers.
    • Goofs
      When the shock troops rappel down from the black helicopter they can be seen to land on soft mats rather than hard New York City pavement.
    • Quotes

      Jerry: David Berkowitz, Ted Bundy, Richard Speck...

      Alice: What about them?

      Jerry: Serial killers. Serial killers only have two names. You ever notice that? But lone gunmen assassins, they always have three names. John Wilkes Booth, Lee Harvey Oswald, Mark David Chapman...

      Alice: John Hinckley. He shot Reagan. He only has two names.

      Jerry: Yeah, but he only just shot Reagan. Reagan didn't die. If Reagan had died, I'm pretty sure we probably would all know what John Hinckley's middle name was.

    • Crazy credits
      The initial Warner Bros. logo with the clouds behind is shown - the camera then pulls back to show the logo as a billboard on the side of a bus.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Conspiracy Theory/Kiss Me, Guido/The Full Monty/Career Girls/Love Serenade/Free Willy 3: The Rescue (1997)
    • Soundtracks
      Can't Take My Eyes Off You
      Written by Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio

      Performed by Frankie Valli

      Courtesy of The Four Seasons Partnership

      By Arrangement with Warner Special Products

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    FAQ21

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 8, 1997 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Warner Bros. (United States)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • El complot
    • Filming locations
      • Orpheum Theater - 842 South Broadway, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA(Movie Theater into which Jerry Fletcher goes to hide.)
    • Production companies
      • Warner Bros.
      • Silver Pictures
      • Donner/Shuler-Donner Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $75,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $75,982,834
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $19,313,566
      • Aug 10, 1997
    • Gross worldwide
      • $136,982,834
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 2h 15m(135 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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