F/X (1986)

85% of critics liked it
(20 reviews)
48% of users liked it
(9,629 ratings)

A man who simulates death for a living finds himself unwittingly tied into the real thing in this New York-based suspense drama. Special-effects man Rollie Tyler (Bryan Brown) makes his living simulating gory mayhem and photogenic violence for movies such as "I Dismember Mama." Tyler is given a… More A man who simulates death for a living finds himself unwittingly tied into the real thing in this New York-based suspense drama. Special-effects man Rollie Tyler (Bryan Brown) makes his living simulating gory mayhem and photogenic violence for movies such as "I Dismember Mama." Tyler is given a chance to expand his professional horizons when he's approached by Lipton (Cliff De Young), who introduces himself as an FBI agent and makes an unusual proposal. Mob kingpin Nicholas DeFranco (Jerry Orbach) is willing to testify against his fellow gangsters, but the investigators are worried about his safety. Lipton wants Tyler to help him and his staff fake DeFranco's assassination; if everyone is convinced DeFranco is dead, people will be a lot less likely to look for him. Tyler grudgingly takes the assignment, and while he's able to realistically simulate DeFranco being shot in a crowded restaurant, after the "gag," he discovers that he's been double-crossed, and he's wanted for the murder of the man he just "shot." Tyler hides out with his girlfriend, Ellen (Diane Venora), but he realizes that whoever set him up wants him dead after she's killed by a bullet meant for him. With the help of fellow effects artist Andy (Martha Gehman), Tyler goes underground and tries to unravel the truth behind the Lipton murder. Meanwhile, police detective Leo McCarthy (Brian Dennehy) is convinced that something is not right when he's called to the scene of DeFranco's murder and is certain that the dead body is not the gangster. F/X was followed by a sequel, and later a short-lived TV series. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr.
Directed By: Robert Mandel, Gary Davis (II)
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Action & Adventure

In Theaters: Feb 7, 1986 Wide
On DVD: Jun 13, 2000

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
As contrived and plot-hole ridden as it is, F/X still works quite effectively as a crowd-pleasing popcorn picture.
Vincent Canby, New York Times
The film is as much a demonstration of various kinds of special effects as it is about them.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
The irony of F/X, which is a very good thriller indeed, is that it avoids the pitfall of so many thrillers; it doesn't degenerate into a mindless display of special effects.
, Film4
It looks dated and shoddy now, never taking itself as seriously as the darker sequel.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
A competent and unpretentious entertainment.
Steve Crum, Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers
Fun cat and mouse mystery-adventure with fun special effects angle.
Chuck O'Leary, FulvueDrive-in.com
A clever, lightning-paced thriller about a Tom Savini-style special effects artist who becomes a pawn in the scheme of some rogue government agents. A surprise modest hit in 1986.
, Time Out
The action sequences are efficiently handled, but look elsewhere for psychological or emotional insight.
Jake Euker, F5 (Wichita, KS)
A well-respected thriller; its coldness left me out.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, San Francisco Examiner
A fun, clever little thriller.
James Rocchi, Netflix
Hollywood magic thriller offers popcorn pleasure.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Fun little cable-time thriller, especially for the movie geeks!
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...manages to engage the pulse, if not the brain.
Brian Webster, Apollo Guide
Brown is not the most charismatic of actors, but it's a classic one-man-against-a-world-of-evil set-up so it's easy to cheer for Rollie as he creatively finds ways to make mincemeat of the bad guys.

Read all 14 critic reviews

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

AJ V

An okay action thriller movie, I saw it a long time ago on TV, so maybe I should see it again, but I wasn't too impressed with it the first time.
Anthony L

An old favourite
Lady D

This one is an easy watching, layed back and don't think about it too much type of film. I think Bryan Brown has great character about and most definitely makes the film. The concept is certainly a novel idea. VERDICT: Don't buy or rent, but worth a look if it comes on… More
This one is an easy watching, layed back and don't think about it too much type of film. I think Bryan Brown has great character about and most definitely makes the film. The concept is certainly a novel idea. VERDICT: Don't buy or rent, but worth a look if it comes on tv
Lafe F

Cool concept for a movie. I like the insight into how some of the movie effects are created. There are some nice plot developments here.
xGary X

An SFX expert is duped into committing murder, and has to use all his skills to bring the real criminals to justice in a workmanlike thriller that looks as cheap and unconvincing as Brian Browns rubber monsters.
Stuart B

Good Film
Dean M

Good suspense movie with use special effects.
Isaac H

F/X is entertaining on a base level thanks to a few clever twists, but it's also laughably implausible too much of the time and embraces an inconsistent tone that tries to find balance between bloody violence and silly, prop-related stunts to middling effect.
Magnus X

I was blown away by this film the first time I saw it on video back in the 80's. Great twists and turns that makes you sit on the edge of your seat all the way to the end. Great performences all around. A real gem!

Read all 9 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Bryan Brown as Rollie Tyler

            Brian Dennehy as Leo McCarthy

            Diane Venora as Ellen

            Cliff De Young as Lipton

            Mason Adams as Col. Mason

            Jerry Orbach as Nicholas DeFranco

            Joe Grifasi as Mickey

            Martha Gehman as Andy

            Roscoe Orman as Capt. Wallenger

            Trey Wilson as Lt. Murdoch

            Tom Noonan as Varrick

            James Babchak as State Trooper

            Angela Bassett as TV Reporter

            Gibby Brand as 1st Reporter

            Ed Crowley as Ballistics Expert

            Christopher Curry as Mitchell

            Paul D'Amato as Gallagher

            Jean De Baer as Whitemore

            Josie de Guzman as Marisa Velez

            John Doumanian as The Director

            Drummond Erskine as Boat House Guard

            Michael Fischetti as State Police Chief

            Tim Gallin as Adams

            Ray Iannicelli as Charlie

            George Kodisch as Capt. Tolosa

            Joe Pentangelo as Police Officer

            James Pickens Jr. as Ambulance Driver

            Patrick Stack as Sgt. Littauer

            James Lovelett as McCoy

            Marvin Beck as Medical Examiner

            Gerald Campbell as Doctor

            Jim Cordes as Capt. Watts

            Mel Dowd as Miss Joyce Lehman

            Jim Elliott as Car Pound Attendant

            Bernie Friedman as Bum

            Richard Hayes as State Trooper

            Yolanda Lloyd as Receptionist

            Christopher McHale as State Trooper

            John McLoughlin as Hospital State Trooper
See full cast

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