Impostor (2000)

22% of critics liked it
(93 reviews)
44% of users liked it
(7,123 ratings)

This long-delayed science fiction thriller from director Gary Fleder was actually filmed prior to his box-office hit Don't Say a Word (2001), which preceded it in theaters by several months. Based on a 1953 short story by Philip K. Dick, the film shares that schizophrenic author's… More This long-delayed science fiction thriller from director Gary Fleder was actually filmed prior to his box-office hit Don't Say a Word (2001), which preceded it in theaters by several months. Based on a 1953 short story by Philip K. Dick, the film shares that schizophrenic author's long-running obsessions with concealed identity and humanity's potential inferiority to alternative life forms. Gary Sinise stars as Spencer John Olham, a respected government scientist in the year 2079 trying to devise a secret weapon that will help his fellow humans win a decade-long war with invading aliens that are cloning human subjects and using the replicas as walking time bombs. Suddenly, Olham is accused of being an alien spy and a nationwide manhunt to capture him ensues. With even his doctor wife (Madeleine Stowe) unsure that she can trust him, Olham must uncover the truth on his own, even as he's relentlessly pursued by Hathaway (Vincent D'Onofrio), a federal agent charged with destroying the clones. Imposter has a complicated history, originally produced in early 2000 as a 30-minute short to be included in an anthology entitled "The Light Years Trilogy," a project that never got off the ground. So impressed was Dimension Films with the completed piece, however, that the footage was incorporated into a new feature version. That film was then shuffled around the release schedule for more than a year as effects were completed, reshoots were ordered, and the film was recut for a PG-13 rating instead of its original R. The R-rated "director's cut" was later released on DVD. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Directed By: Gary Fleder
Written By: Scott Rosenberg, Ehren Kruger, David Twohy, Mark Protosevich
Genres: Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Jan 4, 2002 Wide
Studio: Dimension Films

Critic Reviews

Geoff Andrew, Time Out
The performances are solid, with Sinise's sobriety and lack of histrionics, especially, making him an anchoring and sympathetic presence.
Kirk Honeycutt, Hollywood Reporter
A worthy successor to those sci-fi B-movies of old even if it is nowhere in the league of such Dick-inspired films as Total Recall and Blade Runner.
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
Feels less like a cousin to Blade Runner than like a bottom-feeder sequel in the Escape From New York series.
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
Pushes the same old cliches in Blade Runner packaging.
Andrew O'Hehir, Salon.com
Everything about Impostor ... is both familiar and profoundly unoriginal.
Robert Koehler, Variety
In the end, alas, the obvious interests of an actor of Sinise's range and depth are subsumed to the blunt demands of a standardized chase movie.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
A great cast can't save the poor script.
Adam Smith, Empire Magazine
A miasma of indifferent screenwriting and wobbly performances.
David Grove, Film Threat
What happened here?
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
Most intriguing of all is the original short, which provides an interesting comparison/contrast with the final feature.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
The history behind Impostor is perhaps more compelling than the film itself.
Brian Mckay, eFilmCritic.com
Originally slated as a 40 minute installment in a sci-fi trilogy film, Impostor should have been left that way.
Frank Ochieng, Movie Eye
There's one thing you can say about Imposter - it does have the appropriate title. Fleder's ill-conceived actioner flick poses as a thriving sci-fi adventure but its real identity is that of a glossy-looking, predictable lukewarm futuristic yarn.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
Worth the ticket price -- mainly for the surprise ending and set design -- and most of its 96 minutes is absorbing.
Ryan Cracknell, Apollo Guide
An uneven look into a grim future that doesn't come close to the level of intelligence and visual splendour that can be seen in other films based on Philip K. Dick stories.
Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile
It's edgy, fast-paced, and if you don't take it too seriously, a lot of fun.
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
Sinise is quite good as the guy trying desperately to prove that he's innocent, even as he has nagging self-doubts.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...an original Impostor short film (on the disc)...makes for a better movie experience than the actual theatrical release.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...too little material for too much screen time.
Guylaine Cadorette, Hollywood.com
While it's entertaining at the time, you probably won't remember too much of it the morning after.

Read all 22 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Film C

i really enjoyed this movie it hasnt been given enough credit to be honest i like the the way its been set and the year its funny and action packed and with a twist the ending is a bit disappointing but the thing with a lot of films is that the entire film is brilliant and then they… More
i really enjoyed this movie it hasnt been given enough credit to be honest i like the the way its been set and the year its funny and action packed and with a twist the ending is a bit disappointing but the thing with a lot of films is that the entire film is brilliant and then they sort of run out of time towards the end so they rush it but neverthe less worth a watch!
xGary X

Weapons designer Gary Sinise finds himself on the run in a warring future state after being accused of being an alien spy. Yet another potboiler based on a Philip K. Dick short story, Impostor doesn't really have the depth or invention to satisfyingly explore the source… More
Weapons designer Gary Sinise finds himself on the run in a warring future state after being accused of being an alien spy. Yet another potboiler based on a Philip K. Dick short story, Impostor doesn't really have the depth or invention to satisfyingly explore the source material's themes of identity and sense of self. It does however have some nice effects and production design, and a cast that although lacking in big name stars, does have enough in the way of solid character actors to keep you watching, including Vincent D'Onofrio, Tony Shalhoub and Madeleine Stowe. The rather straight to DVD style direction and unimaginative plot (it's basically just a long chase sequence) means it will win no prizes for originality, but taken as a no frills sci-fi B-movie it has enough action and twists to pass 80 minutes inoffensively enough. Nowhere near the best Philip K. Dick adaptation, but far from the worst.
Jason S

Great story and the casting was spot on. The action worked but the emotional conflict with the characters were what makes this a great movie.
Dann M

An intense action thriller, Impostor is an impressive science fiction tale from Philip K. Dick. Based on a short story, a government scientist named Spencer Olham is accused of being an alien replicant and goes on the run in order to find a way to prove his innocence. Gary Sinise and… More
An intense action thriller, Impostor is an impressive science fiction tale from Philip K. Dick. Based on a short story, a government scientist named Spencer Olham is accused of being an alien replicant and goes on the run in order to find a way to prove his innocence. Gary Sinise and Madeleine Stowe lead the cast and deliver fairly good performances. The special effects are also rather good (all things considered), and create a unique dystopian future. Additionally, the material is quite relevant in its dealing with themes of terrorism and police powers in wartime. Impostor has some issues, but the sci-fi themes are handled quite well.
The S

An underrated picture based on a story by sci-fi giant Philp K. Dick. The cast are generally excellent. The main plot is intelligent and thought provoking but the film loses the plot a bit when it tries too hard to be an action movie.

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Cast

Gary Sinise
as Spencer Oldham
Madeleine Stowe
as Maya Olham
Vincent D'Onofrio
as Hathaway
Tony Shalhoub
as Nelson Gittes
Tim Guinee
as Dr. Carone
Mekhi Phifer
as Cale
Lindsay Crouse
as Chancellor
Elizabeth Peña
as Midwife
Brian Brophy
as Military Official
Scott Burkholder
as Jack Stoller
Gary Dourdan
as Captain Burke
John Gatins
as Patient - Soldier
Erica Gimpel
as Newscaster
Jonelle Kennedy
as screaming nurse
Ted King
as RMR Operator
Kimberly Scott
as Comms officer
Tracey Walter
as Mr. Siegel
Melinda Ramos Renna
as Reporter
Veena Bidasha
as Frowning Nurse
Rachel Luttrell
as Scan room nurse
Burt Bulos
as Newscaster #3
Una Damon
as Local newscaster
Golden Brooks
as Cale's Sister
Arly Jover
as Newscaster #2
Jason Beck
as Gang Boy #2
Ivana Milicevic
as Gang girl
Shane Brolly
as Lieutenant Burrows
Maury Sterling
as Comms Tech
Judy Jean Berns
as Disgruntled Woman
Ellen Bradley
as Nursing Mothing
Morty Coyle
as Kissing Couple Man
Yvette Ocampo Coyle
as Kissing couple woman
Cristos
as Trooper #2
Bayani Ison
as Squad leader
Elizabeth Kate
as Maya look-alike
Malea McGuinness
as Screeming nurse
Diane Mizota
as Receptionist
Adam Rodriguez
as Trooper #1
Shannon Saint Ryan
as Zoner
Greg Serand
as Gang boy #1
Mac Sinise
as Young Spence
Giovanni Sirchia
as Trooper #3
Julie Vitz
as Typox Child
Tim Walsh
as Arrested Engineer
Dwayne Wycoff
as Esa Soldier
Tony Shaloub

See more (46)

Impostor (2000)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Film C

xGary X

Jason S

Dann M

The S

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