F/X | Rotten Tomatoes (2025)

89% Tomatometer 27 Reviews 54% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings

Rollie Tyler (Bryan Brown) is a special-effects expert for low-budget Hollywood movies. As gangster Nicholas DeFranco (Jerry Orbach) prepares to testify in court against his former bosses, FBI agents, fearing Nicholas will be killed by the mob before he can take the stand, decide to fake his assassination. The agents hire Rollie to use his special-effects skills to make the murder look believable. Leo McCarthy (Brian Dennehy), a detective, steps in to investigate the murder.

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F/X

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Critics Consensus

Smart, twisty, and perfectly cast, the effects-assisted neo-noir F/X reminds viewers that a well-told story is the most special effect of all.

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Critics Reviews

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F/X | Rotten Tomatoes (1) Paul Attanasio Washington Post Taking a page from Hitchcock, "F/X" is a nicely knitted thriller, effective if conventional... Jan 3, 2018 Full Review F/X | Rotten Tomatoes (2) Variety Staff Variety As contrived and plot-hole ridden as it is, F/X still works quite effectively as a crowd-pleasing popcorn picture. Apr 9, 2008 Full Review F/X | Rotten Tomatoes (3) Time Out The action sequences are efficiently handled, but look elsewhere for psychological or emotional insight. Jan 26, 2006 Full Review F/X | Rotten Tomatoes (4) Sarah Boslaugh TheArtsStl ... F/X richly deserves its reputation as a well-scripted thriller that showcases its talented cast as well as its many NYC locations. Rated: 7/10 Dec 8, 2022 Full Review F/X | Rotten Tomatoes (5) Matt Brunson Film Frenzy While F/X will doubtless continue to play best for those of us who knew it back when, it should still effectively engage all but the most cynical of today's seen-it-all film fans. Rated: 3.5/4 Feb 12, 2022 Full Review F/X | Rotten Tomatoes (6) David Nusair Reel Film Reviews ...a better-than-average 1980s thriller. Rated: 3/4 Feb 4, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member What's the illusion, what's the reality? You never actually know when it comes to Hollywood. A special effects man Rollie Tyler gets the assignment of his life when the FBl asks him to stage an assassination. It's to bring down Jerry Orbach's gangster, Nicholas DeFranco. They assure him it's all fake but this man's life starts to spiral. It gets harder when a detective Leo played by Brian Dennehy steps in to investigate. Rollie's caught in the middle of a cat and mouse game. Now it's up to him to strike back. He utilizes his pyrotechnics and makeup techniques to throw his enemies off. The direction is pitch perfect, the music is intense, some of the focus on Rollie is a bit botched when it switches back to Leo though. A very well told story that doesn't just rely on the mastery of illusion. Sure it's conventional and there's a few gaping plot holes to be had but it's exciting as a popcorn thriller. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/08/24 Full Review Yuval B One of my childhood favorite!! Rated 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/22/24 Full Review Dallas H This would be the routine popcorn flick for passive entertainment. Don't expect a thorough examination of the special effects industry. It is primarily the usual plot-driven script about a man running around in the rain, trying not to get murdered by the evil guys. Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/20/24 Full Review Stoner J Fantastic mid-80s movie, the story is just good and it was done well. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/12/23 Full Review Ian B This is a clever plot which is unique and not done to death. Fast paced with fine acting from all involved. Brown being Australian gives it a point of difference while Dennehy adds his usual gruff style. Im glad i revisited after all these yrs Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/07/23 Full Review Steve D None of it remotely worked for me. Rated 1/5 Stars • Rated 1 out of 5 stars 08/29/23 Full Review Read all reviews

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Cast & Crew

Robert Mandel Director Bryan Brown Roland "Rollie" Tyler Brian Dennehy Lt. Leo McCarthy Diane Venora Ellen Keith Cliff DeYoung Martin Lipton Mason Adams Col. Mason
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Movie Clips

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F/X

F/X: Official Clip - Nobody Dies Like You F/X: Official Clip - Nobody Dies Like You 1:41 F/X: Official Clip - Escape From the Morgue F/X: Official Clip - Escape From the Morgue 1:44 F/X: Official Clip - Trunk Torture F/X: Official Clip - Trunk Torture 2:15 F/X: Official Clip - No Loose Ends F/X: Official Clip - No Loose Ends 2:16 F/X: Official Clip - Playing Games F/X: Official Clip - Playing Games 2:28 F/X: Official Clip - Krazy-Glued Gun F/X: Official Clip - Krazy-Glued Gun 1:54 F/X: Official Clip - Borrowing a Badge F/X: Official Clip - Borrowing a Badge 3:17 F/X: Official Clip - Marked for Death F/X: Official Clip - Marked for Death 4:16 F/X: Official Clip - Giving 'Em the Slip F/X: Official Clip - Giving 'Em the Slip 2:54 View more videos

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Synopsis Rollie Tyler (Bryan Brown) is a special-effects expert for low-budget Hollywood movies. As gangster Nicholas DeFranco (Jerry Orbach) prepares to testify in court against his former bosses, FBI agents, fearing Nicholas will be killed by the mob before he can take the stand, decide to fake his assassination. The agents hire Rollie to use his special-effects skills to make the murder look believable. Leo McCarthy (Brian Dennehy), a detective, steps in to investigate the murder.

Director
Robert Mandel

Producer
Dodi Fayed, Jack Wiener

Screenwriter
Gregory Fleeman, Robert T. Megginson

Production Co
Orion Pictures

Rating
R

Genre
Mystery & Thriller, Action

Original Language
English

Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 7, 2010

Box Office (Gross USA)
$19.9M

Runtime
1h 48m

Sound Mix
Surround
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F/X | Rotten Tomatoes (2025)

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