The Negotiator
The Negotiator

The Negotiator

1998Movie140 minEnglish

The police try to arrest expert hostage negotiator Danny Roman, who insists he's being framed for his partner's murder in what he believes is an elaborate conspiracy. Thinking there's evidence in the Internal Affairs offices that might clear him, he takes everyone in the office hostage and demands that another well-known negotiator be brought in to handle the situation and secretly investigate the conspiracy.

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Insights

IMDb7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes74%
Metacritic64/100
Google Users85%
Director: F. Gary GrayGenres: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller

Plot Summary

Highly skilled police detective Danny Roman is framed for the murders of his colleagues and framed by his own precinct. Faced with an impossible situation and with no one to trust, he takes a group of hostages, including a fellow negotiator, to buy himself time to uncover the truth and expose the corrupt officers behind the conspiracy. As the tense standoff unfolds, Roman must use all his negotiation skills to outwit his pursuers and clear his name.

Critical Reception

The Negotiator was a commercial success and received generally positive reviews from critics. Samuel L. Jackson's intense performance was widely praised, as was the film's suspenseful plot and action sequences. While some critics found the plot to be somewhat predictable, the film was largely appreciated for its engaging thriller elements and strong performances.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its high-stakes tension and Samuel L. Jackson's commanding performance.
  • Acknowledged for its effective thriller pacing and intricate plot.
  • Some noted predictable plot points but overall enjoyed the suspense.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated the film's gripping narrative and Samuel L. Jackson's powerful portrayal of a framed detective. The movie's suspenseful action and intricate plot were frequently highlighted as strengths, making it an engaging watch.

Fun Fact

Samuel L. Jackson improvised the line "Do you know what I am? I'm a cop, you idiot!" during the hostage negotiation scene.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
RalphRahal

RalphRahal

The Negotiator is one of those classic thrillers that still holds up well today. The plot is engaging from the start, throwing you into a tense, high-stakes standoff where trust and deception play a big role. The pacing is solid, though it ...
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Samuel L. Jackson is renowned hostage negotiator "Roman" who is shocked to learn of the murder of his partner. A little further investigation reveals that he had been looking into a multi-million dollar pension fraud. Next thing he knows, "...