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A Shock to the System
1990 91 min United States of America R 16+
★6.8
Crime, Comedy
Director: Jan Egleson
Trailers
Description
When experienced advertising executive Graham Marshall loses out on a promotion to a young man, he goes down in a path of vengeance.
US Gross:
$3.42M
Starring
Michael Caine
Actor
Elizabeth McGovern
Actor
Peter Riegert
Actor
Awards
1 nomination total
Key opinion
A Shock to the System is widely regarded as an underrated black comedy that benefits significantly from Michael Caine's compelling lead performance. While opinions on the supporting cast vary, the film is praised for its dark, satirical look at corporate ambition and the psychological transformation of its protagonist.
| Acting | Michael Caine anchors the film with a masterclass performance, seamlessly transitioning from a repressed, downtrodden employee to a cold-blooded, ruthless opportunist. | |
| Theme | The narrative successfully navigates the balance between dark comedy and tension, effectively manipulating audience sympathy toward a protagonist who systematically commits murder. | |
| Runtime | The brisk 90-minute runtime ensures the plot remains tight and engaging, avoiding the narrative bloat often found in similar crime thrillers. | |
| Direction | Director Jan Egleson employs a dynamic, roaming camera style that mirrors the protagonist’s unraveling and heightens the tension of his rise to power. | |
| Acting | The supporting performances are polarized; while Michael Caine is universally praised, viewers are divided on the impact of the secondary cast, with some finding them bland or smarmy. |