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The Manchurian Candidate
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The Manchurian Candidate

2004
Suspense/Thriller
2h 9m
As the entire nation watches the presidential campaign hurtle towards Election Day, one soldier races to uncover the conspiracy behind it -- a conspiracy that seeks to destroy democracy itself. (Paramount Pictures)
Directed by:
Jonathan Demme Jonathan Demme
Written by:
Daniel Pyne Daniel Pyne George Axelrod Dean Georgaris Richard Condon Richard Condon
+3 more
Starring:
Meryl Streep Meryl Streep Dean Stockwell Dean Stockwell Jon Voight Jon Voight Denzel Washington Denzel Washington Anthony Mackie Anthony Mackie Zeljko Ivanek Zeljko Ivanek Jeffrey Wright Jeffrey Wright Vera Farmiga Vera Farmiga Liev Schreiber Liev Schreiber Miguel Ferrer Miguel Ferrer Bill Irwin Bill Irwin Marin Ireland Marin Ireland
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Genre:
Suspense/Thriller
Country:
USA
Language:
English
imdb More information at IMDb
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The Manchurian Candidate

2004
Suspense/Thriller
2h 9m
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Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 43.28% from 4078 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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djrossdjross
Rated 07 May 2011
35
19th
Amusingly over-the-top, with a premise as absurd in 2004 as it was in 1962, relying on a wholly fallacious "cybernetic" conception of the brain (even if there were also those, all of them inevitably what Vonnegut would refer to as PPs, who believed in, researched, and tried to exploit such a conception). The silly Freudo-Shakespearean connotations seem to suggest the film is really about the dangers of letting women into politics! Intended, perhaps, as a political intervention, doomed to fail.
Rated 07 May 2011
3names3Names
Rated 14 Aug 2007
20
1st
Trite, stereotypical, melodramatic characters in an awful script... Even Meryl can't rise from this dreck...
Rated 14 Aug 2007
clark_novaClark Nova
Rated 07 Feb 2014
45
17th
The original Manchurian Candidate's influence can be seen in many Demme films...but not this one. Points for Stockwell hanging his head in shame
Rated 07 Feb 2014
agentsnipeAgentSnipe
Rated 14 Aug 2007
63
17th
Denzel is fine and, despite this being a remake, The Manchurian Candidate continues to feel like a relevant story. But there is something just a little dull about the proceedings. There's intrigue, but the thrills just aren't there.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 14 Aug 2007
72
41st
Regardless of its worthiness as a remake, it's a pretty good flick in its own right. Denzel commands the screen like no one else.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
magbMagb
Rated 07 Feb 2007
65
30th
I haven't seen the original, but I hope it's better than this, because this doesn't rise very far above mediocrity. The idea behind the conspiracy is interesting, I suppose, but I thought the way it was handled was implausible and silly. Denzel Washington and Meryl Streep are both great, as usual.
Rated 07 Feb 2007
cellophanecellophane
Rated 14 Aug 2007
78
35th
a decent thriller that really benefits from Denzel Washington's charisma and Liev Schreiber and Meryl Streep's talent.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
npngNPNG
Rated 28 Feb 2008
68
58th
Ok, not the best of Denzel.
Rated 28 Feb 2008
optimusmikeOptimus_mike
Rated 15 Nov 2008
60
34th
No where nearly as good or as interesting as the original but still it is decent.
Rated 15 Nov 2008
johnshaftjohnshaft
Rated 02 Jul 2009
60
25th
A mediocre remake that really doesn't do anything particularly badly or well.
Rated 02 Jul 2009
scribScrib
Rated 11 Jun 2022
65
42nd
Not as stylistically interesting, as well-paced or as satisfying as Frankenheimer's version, but still a decent remake that puts its own spin on the material. Direction and editing plays a solid role here, but too often feels like it's clinging to convention. In both versions, suspension of disbelief is required with the premise, but I found it harder in the case of Demme's take here; somehow its "updated" conspiracy was more of a strain to take seriously. The final act is also a bit bloated.
Rated 11 Jun 2022
mystericemysterice
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
66th
I liked this movie, not quite as much as the original but it was decent.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
jigmedatseJigmeDatse
Rated 26 Nov 2007
75
11th
Not as good as the original, a well done remake, but too much "bringing it forward" rather than accepting things as they were presented in the original. Definitely worth watching.
Rated 26 Nov 2007
tomphan25tomphan25
Rated 06 Dec 2008
65
41st
Solid re-make, but less intense than the original.
Rated 06 Dec 2008
maakalmaakal
Rated 03 Feb 2011
79
70th
I was shocked by how much I liked this film, and by how overlooked it was.
Rated 03 Feb 2011
fuxoftfuxoft
Rated 25 Mar 2007
78
69th
Not bad, actually.
Rated 25 Mar 2007
alex_wsAlex WS
Rated 19 Jan 2013
70
64th
Great, mysterious.
Rated 19 Jan 2013
taleaTalea
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
39th
A reasonably entertaining update of the original. A little too tame, though.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
vince_leoVince Leo
Rated 14 Aug 2007
75
74th
a solid film all around
Rated 14 Aug 2007
pigletPiglet
Rated 22 Jul 2009
60
29th
I love a good conspiracy theory, and this one has some promise. I've heard the original is far better, but haven't seen it. As a stand alone it's good, but knowing it's a remake I just don't see the relevance.
Rated 22 Jul 2009
rttntomatoesrttntomatoes
Rated 03 Jan 2014
71
44th
While not the classic its predecessor is, this update is well-acted and conjures a chilling resonance.
Rated 03 Jan 2014
kewilsonkewilson
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
75th
really enjoyed it.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
overratedoverrated
Rated 10 Jan 2010
49
46th
Meryl Streep you fucking lunatic
Rated 10 Jan 2010
kellakella
Rated 14 Aug 2007
71
40th
Liev creeps me out. He doesn't help himself with his latest role in the Omen, but this movie is worth a watch on cable or something.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
rdwn29905rdwn29905
Rated 14 Aug 2007
38
25th
not so hot here
Rated 14 Aug 2007
cmonsterCMonster
Rated 07 Jan 2015
79
64th
Haven't seen the original. Occasionally had an out of place score and was a bit predictable (albeit not as much as I expected). Aside from that it was quite enjoyable and has a great cover of Fortunate Son at the beginning and end.
Rated 07 Jan 2015
joegayeskiJoeGayeski
Rated 25 Jul 2007
45
17th
Pointlessly bland, very generic remake that really makes no sense at all this side of a Michael Bay movie. Great actors and an occasionally good director, but no story...or anything for that matter...to make something special out of it.
Rated 25 Jul 2007
recklessmessrecklessmess
Rated 23 Feb 2012
68
44th
I have a hard time believing Denzel Washington would run for any office in Manchurian. He wouldn't even run in Canadia.
Rated 23 Feb 2012
barshkibarshki
Rated 25 Jul 2007
75
31st
Just watch the original instead
Rated 25 Jul 2007
wetwillieswetwillies
Rated 07 Nov 2020
85
59th
Viewed November 6, 2020.
Rated 07 Nov 2020
hellboy76hellboy76
Rated 20 Sep 2010
65
45th
Denzel is great as always, and Demme can craft a decent thrill.
Rated 20 Sep 2010
pepsi_manPepsi-Man
Rated 14 Feb 2009
3
74th
Very cool political thriller.
Rated 14 Feb 2009
spazzcorespazzcore
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
58th
A great adaption to modern times from the original. Kept the essence of the original but introduced an awesome 21st century plot.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
omicron91Omicron91
Rated 15 Oct 2008
70
47th
Pretty good movie, I can't measure it against the original though.
Rated 15 Oct 2008
kavuKavu
Rated 10 May 2010
66
42nd
Demme makes a big mistake early on and needs almost the whole movie to make up for it. Really want to see the original some time.
Rated 10 May 2010
mirelurkMirelurk
Rated 30 Nov 2020
49
12th
Seems like this corp went through a lot of unneccessary trouble, they are able to buy anything they want from politicians anyway. Decent acting and directing but it's just a dud and quite boring.
Rated 30 Nov 2020
chuchaquiChuchaqui
Rated 29 Nov 2006
54
11th
Nice effort but no comparison to the original. It really gets confusing towards the end.
Rated 29 Nov 2006
sorksork
Rated 02 Jun 2008
40
29th
Tries to be serious, but actually quite unbelievable.
Rated 02 Jun 2008
criteenqueCriteenque
Rated 20 May 2012
20
8th
Every move Streep makes, every syllabe Streep utters, is filled with a natural, believable, yet calculated power. Too bad it's not enough to save The Manchurian Candidate.
Rated 20 May 2012
ranaldRanald
Rated 26 Jul 2008
85
83rd
That rare thing - a remake that actually has something interesting to say. Tight and tense thriller.
Rated 26 Jul 2008
joearlinejoearline
Rated 12 Sep 2007
65
44th
Original is much better.
Rated 12 Sep 2007
leekennleekenn
Rated 23 Feb 2010
68
44th
Worth seeing once, I guess, this is an enjoyable enough film. The plot, although rather implausible, is quite exciting, and Denzel Washington does a great job.
Rated 23 Feb 2010
bojanglesBojangles
Rated 02 Sep 2016
65
69th
2004's The Manchurian Candidate utilizes subjective POV shots, hallucinatory imagery, and paranoid plotting in order to frighteningly toe the red white and blue line of (in)sanity. The diegetic music that echoes through the background of nearly every scene's soundscape somehow adds a sense of dread to the proceedings that we haven't felt since Demme's camera was darting around Buffalo Bill's basement in The Silence of the Lambs.
Rated 02 Sep 2016
webdwwebdw
Rated 01 Sep 2007
50
21st
The original version of this film with Sinatra, Lansbury, et al, is a far better version of this film; it rates a 70. This one has the conspiracy in Washington as the enemy. The original actually poses a credible enemy that is not American! This is MORE: action, hype, violence, etc. and it's in color. This original has more plot and is better acted and directed.
Rated 01 Sep 2007
infamous639infamous639
Rated 12 Nov 2007
100
87th
Fantastic! Meryl Streep delivers a powerhouse performance, horrfiying and beautifully created, a wild daring new spin on the classic 1962 film.
Rated 12 Nov 2007
teddedonTedDedon
Rated 19 Mar 2007
73
47th
Solid remake of one of the best films ever made. Great performances and good direction make it an easy watch, it just doesn't carry the weight or impact the original has.
Rated 19 Mar 2007
xenophuleXenophule
Rated 28 Nov 2017
7
32nd
An interesting concept, well acted, and decent pace.
Rated 28 Nov 2017
billkerwinbillkerwin
Rated 22 Dec 2009
73
22nd
Not a bad remake, as remakes of classics go. I thought they updated the story pretty well.
Rated 22 Dec 2009
toolboitoolboi
Rated 14 Aug 2007
60
28th
Suspensful, and thats about it. Characters were ok, the plot wasnt bad, but it did get quite dull.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
mjvmoviemanMJVmovieMan
Rated 24 Mar 2007
73
60th
Far-fetch and well-acted, obscure, yet satisfying.
Rated 24 Mar 2007
gato38gato38
Rated 04 Dec 2007
50
32nd
The Original with Frank Sinatra is Far Superior.
Rated 04 Dec 2007
rthornhillrthornhill
Rated 26 Mar 2009
77
15th
Doesn't get my vote.....
Rated 26 Mar 2009
travisbickleTravisbickle
Rated 14 Aug 2007
35
3rd
Half-acted wasted remake of one of the best Sinatra movies out there.You"ll want to rent out..or better yet buy the the 1962 John Frankenheimer classic.Watch for THE most bone-chilling display of ultimate domineering mothering in Angela Lansbury in cinematic history..you might just thank me later.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
hankhank
Rated 06 Apr 2010
70
36th
Alright movie, but they screwed up the plot. Now, groups of people (corporations) take the place of the Communists - probably for ratings. This is disgusting. Communist nations still exist - they could have had Cuba, Venezuela, China, North Korea, and various other nations play the "Manchurians." Instead, the mustache-twisting CEOs of the Manchurian Corporation execute an intricate mind-control operation using their own private capital. Bring back the commie-villains!
Rated 06 Apr 2010
3drevelation3dRevelation
Rated 10 Mar 2012
79
79th
I have not seen the original (I just moved it to the top of my queue), but I thought this film was pretty good. Demme crafts the film expertly and the acting is very good. Washington, Schreiber, and Streep are all very good. I hope the original can beat this mark.
Rated 10 Mar 2012
jenner1407jenner1407
Rated 24 Feb 2015
74
25th
General rule: the Angela Lansbury version is always better.
Rated 24 Feb 2015
lrampartllrampartl
Rated 11 Feb 2007
63
50th
Solid but unspectacular update on the original. Meryl Streep dances between real evil and cartoon villainy, and that's what ultimately makes this just a "good" movie. Denzel is his usual self, Liev Schreiber turns in an excellent performance, but it's Jeffrey Wright who steals scenes.
Rated 11 Feb 2007
mangoluver4umangoluver4u
Rated 20 Dec 2009
65
51st
good not great title says it all
Rated 20 Dec 2009
kdsmoothkdsmooth
Rated 14 Aug 2007
89
51st
great story, acting, & action
Rated 14 Aug 2007
monstergearMonsterGear
Rated 10 Apr 2007
72
34th
Reasonably good. Can't complain too much about this one.
Rated 10 Apr 2007
jeffvjeff_v
Rated 17 Feb 2010
79
90th
Frankenheimer's movie is a chilling, cynical masterpiece. Demme's version is more colorfully paranoiac, with a humanistic heart. While it's not as disturbing as the original, it's more poignant. When I realized, forty-five minutes before the conclusion, how it would end, I wasn't driven to boredom. Instead, I found tears welling up in my eyes. Liev Schrieber brings something to the screen that Laurence Harvey could not, and that is a palpable sense of loneliness and guilt.
Rated 17 Feb 2010
seanybikerseanybiker
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
86th
Denzel... nuff said
Rated 14 Aug 2007
war_machineWar Machine
Rated 03 May 2022
60
26th
Kuwait91+meryl+brainwashedtothinkhedeservedmedalofhonorsocouldbepres/braincontrolled+cutchipoutshoulder+triestobitehisout-gotit+mommadekillgf/herdad+friendgirlisFBI+snipes/intomomtoo-trysuicide/friendshoots+fakefootageshooter+lived+thinkbackinkuwaitpicofhisteaminbeachwaterlol 60mommadekillgf/herdad+friendgirlisFBI+snipes/intomomtoo-trysuicide/friendshoots+fakefootageshooter+lived+thinkbackinkuwaitpicofhisteaminbeachwaterlol
Rated 03 May 2022
stflyst_fly
Rated 23 Aug 2007
29
29th
ok
Rated 23 Aug 2007
idiot27000idiot27000
Rated 14 Aug 2007
28
13th
Horribly done and pales in comparison to the original. Meryl Streep gives on of her absolute worst performances.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
gerudogerudo
Rated 14 Aug 2007
3
8th
With the original still relevant, I found this remake unnecessary. Regardless, the chance for a good film was there, but just turned out to be another mediocre popcorn flick.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
martrynmartryn
Rated 25 Mar 2007
65
38th
Another remake not as good as the original.
Rated 25 Mar 2007
rkilroyRKilroy
Rated 11 Sep 2009
80
31st
Not even close to as good as the original.
Rated 11 Sep 2009
kiralioKiralio
Rated 08 Dec 2009
20
6th
1/5
Rated 08 Dec 2009
doctor7doctor7
Rated 24 Feb 2008
75
62nd
I was surprised and how Liev Schreiber compared to Denzel Washington, I'd even go so far as to say that I preferred his performance. This is not to say Denzel Washington was bad at all, he was in fact quite good, just that Schreiber was fantastic. The soundtrack perfectly captures the paranoia and the horror and is probably the best aspect of the film. The rest just fails to really impress. It's not bad but it's not great
Rated 24 Feb 2008
joshstew06JoshStew06
Rated 14 Aug 2007
76
55th
Not perfect, but a tense and smart thriller none-the-less, featuring a great performance by the criminally underrated Liev Schreiber.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
juicejuice
Rated 26 May 2007
35
12th
Overrated.
Rated 26 May 2007
patabongopatabongo
Rated 04 Aug 2007
52
5th
Dull. Lacks the original version's scenes of Frank Sinatra unleashing his old man kung fu against a teabagged-up Henry Silva. Watch that one instead.
Rated 04 Aug 2007
glm01glm01
Rated 22 Sep 2013
74
48th
73.500
Rated 22 Sep 2013
jellysauceJellysauce
Rated 20 Dec 2017
50
30th
underwhelming
Rated 20 Dec 2017
easydiffeasydiff
Rated 14 Aug 2007
68
72nd
Wicked re-imagining of the original, with twists aplenty.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
cambelcambel
Rated 19 Jan 2007
63
38th
It's nice but I prefer the first one..
Rated 19 Jan 2007
nothingsgoodNothingsGood
Rated 15 Apr 2011
20
10th
An awful remake of the classic 1962 film, the Manchurian Candidate showcases Jonathan Demme's complete abandon of directorial talent in his highest profile film in over a decade. As a study of how close you can zoom a camera on someone's face, Demme's film succeeds in droves as you can literally count every pore on Denzel Washington and Liev Schriber's faces as they stare aimlessly into the camera for two hours.
Rated 15 Apr 2011
ytadelYtadel
Rated 14 Aug 2007
3
28th
Pretty goddamn goofy political thriller with nice performances.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
whotempwhotemp
Rated 28 May 2014
64
13th
- 4/29/11
Rated 28 May 2014
mohba2007mohba2007
Rated 21 Sep 2008
70
38th
good film with good acting. Meryl Streep is fabulous and out of this world
Rated 21 Sep 2008
supersam5supersam5
Rated 14 Aug 2007
55
44th
Intriguing plot that is handled well by the director for the most part... except towards the end when the storyline suddenly gets predictable and the movie, ordinary!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
amberlitaamberlita
Rated 14 Aug 2007
40
9th
pointless. just watch the original. all the magic is gone in this one. really just a waste of time.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
crb9000CRB9000
Rated 01 Jan 2010
60
56th
Unnecessary remake.
Rated 01 Jan 2010
mentaculusMentaculus
Rated 08 Sep 2008
55
28th
Not nearly as brilliant as the original, though still worthwhile.
Rated 08 Sep 2008
frederFreder
Rated 12 Sep 2009
0
1st
Another totally unnecessary and inferior remake.
Rated 12 Sep 2009
btumeinskibtumeinski
Rated 03 Jul 2008
65
22nd
Denzel being Denzel. Again.
Rated 03 Jul 2008
duderDuder
Rated 11 May 2020
65
59th
Although the ending did not satisfy me 100%, it keeps you on the edge of your seat very well. A well acted, well directed film that doesn't seem like 2 hours.
Rated 11 May 2020
endellionendellion
Rated 06 Jun 2010
80
60th
not bad for a remake
Rated 06 Jun 2010
irvinejumpirvinejump
Rated 18 Jul 2008
60
46th
Okay update of the '62 classic. But the original; IS superior in every way
Rated 18 Jul 2008
okkervilOkkervil
Rated 24 Jan 2010
43
32nd
Washington & Schreiber are both pretty good in what is really a mediocre & disappointing remake that seems like a missed opportunity considering the potential of the concept. Strangely Demme lacks the skill to turn this into the suspenseful & intriguing thiller that it so clearly could of been. Much of the direction seems cheap & tacky, & the choice of soundtrack is often irritating. The modern setting and 'war on terror' based plot do not work well either. It's occasionally quite good!
Rated 24 Jan 2010
bktanbktan
Rated 26 Oct 2010
73
57th
Previously rated [77] on October 26th, 2010
Rated 26 Oct 2010
alanstrangalanstrang
Rated 09 May 2020
77
68th
What makes perfect sense for Vietnam Age, fails to do so for the Gulf War. Apart from that, beautiful directing and acting.
Rated 09 May 2020
harlequin21Harlequin21
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
40th
Doesn't even compare to the original. They change so many weird and unnecessary things... like who shoots who in the climax and just... idk.. a whole bunch of odd things.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
djfntstquedjfntstque
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
71st
Totally underrated.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
willenzikWillenzik
Rated 05 Jul 2007
71
30th
Denzel, is great as always, however the movie ends up being predictable.
Rated 05 Jul 2007
bunkenBunken
Rated 19 May 2012
60
52nd
Decent, but watch the original instead...
Rated 19 May 2012
kristacoolkrista=cool
Rated 19 Jul 2008
50
7th
Can't compare to the original.
Rated 19 Jul 2008
slantmagSlantMag
Rated 20 Oct 2011
40
97th
"A frightening update to John Frankenheimer's war-as-game scenario-except the battle now is for our very souls." - Keith Uhlich
Rated 20 Oct 2011
fabfunkfabfunk
Rated 05 Dec 2006
80
73rd
Surprisingly not bad and wholly relevant tale. Not a superior remake, mind you, but one with a surprising amount of humor and weight. Demme has always been a filmmaker of strong intelligence, and this is his finest hour in quite awhile.
Rated 05 Dec 2006

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