A Shock to the System

A Shock to the System (1990)

  • 77% of critics liked it
    (13 reviews)

  • 56% of users liked it
    (1,712 ratings)

Shock to the System is a black comedy about a middle-aged advertising executive (Michael Caine) who loses his long-awaited promotion to a younger man (Peter Reigret). In frustration, Caine accidentally pushes a panhandler in front of a subway train--and he gets away with the death. Realizing that… More

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R, 1 hr. 28 min.
Directed By
Jan Egleson
Genres
Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Comedy
In Theaters
Mar 23, 1990 Wide
On DVD
May 25, 2004
HBO Video

Critic Reviews

  • Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com

    A brilliantly modulated, witty and nasty black comedy.

  • Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

    A Shock to the System shows what happens in the office when cutthroat competition becomes the norm.

  • Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

    Okay black comic thriller. Nothing too special.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Christopher B


    I hardly remember anything about this film except I loved it. I'd really like to see this one again.

Cast

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Trailers & Clips

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