The Negotiator
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Metascore
62 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.9 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 18 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
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  • Starring: Kevin Spacey, Samuel L. Jackson
  • Summary: Maverick negotiator Danny Roman (Jackson) is framed for embezzlement and the murder of his partner and best friend. Newly married and faced with an unjust prison sentence, Roman turns hostage-taker to smoke out the guilty ones in his own squad. Brought in to square off against Danny is the respected and methodical negotiator Chris Sabian (Spacey). Under siege and battling against time, the two lock in a deadly battle of wits, finding that when your friends betray you, sometimes the only person you can trust is a stranger.  (Warner Bros.)
    … Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 23
  3. Negative: 3 out of 23
  1. Rolling Stone
    Reviewed by: Peter Travers
    88
    This little-hyped thriller emerges as a dark-horse winner by reminding us of how pleasurably exciting a popcorn movie can be when it's populated by actors who are in it for more than an exorbitant fee.
  2. L.A. Weekly
    Reviewed by: Manohla Dargis
    80
    This tough, crackling thriller from director Gary Gray is one of those rare action movies with something on its mind other than moviestar sneers and incessant big bangs.
  3. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Elvis Mitchell
    60
    Though the film has its basis in an actual event that took place in St. Louis, it takes on the homogeneous look of many other thrillers in which an emergency escalates into a paramilitary operation.
  4. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Stephen Hunter
    30
    A whodunit so bafflingly constructed that you can't even figure out what it is, so the whodun part is superfluous.

See all 23 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. MichaelC
    10
    An Amazing Thriller! I Couldnt sleep for hours after i watched it because my heart was beating so fast. Great Preformances from Samuel L. Jackson and Kevin Spacey.… Expand
  2. ND
    9
    Seen it loads of times and still enjoy it. Acting is superb and good tension and drama.
  3. KevinD.
    9
    Incredible thriller. Jackson and Spacey are amazing. David Morse is pleasing as well. The plot twists are well told and the gun scenes are heart-stopping. This movie is pro-shop pro.… Expand
  4. grandpajoe6191
    7
    "The Negotiator" is what we call a 'splendid blockbuster'. It has tense clashes between the main characters as well as great performances from Samuel L. Jackson and Kevin Spacey. A movie you definitely should watch when you have spare time.… Expand

See all 5 User Reviews

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