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Margin Call
2011 107 min United States of America R 18+
★7.6
Thriller, Drama
Director: J.C. Chandor
Trailers
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Description
Set in the high-stakes world of the financial industry, involving the key players at an investment firm during one perilous 24-hour period in the early stages of the 2008 financial crisis. An entry-level analyst unlocks information that could prove to be the downfall of the firm.
Budget:
$3.5M
US Gross:
$5.35M
Worldwide:
$19.5M
Starring
Zachary Quinto
Actor
Stanley Tucci
Actor
Kevin Spacey
Actor
Awards
Academy Awards 2012
— Best Screenplay
Berlin International Film Festival 2011
— Golden Bear
Key opinion
Margin Call is a dialogue-driven corporate drama that earns praise for its tense atmosphere and high-caliber performances, particularly from Jeremy Irons and Kevin Spacey. While it successfully captures the cold, self-preserving nature of the 2008 financial crisis for many, it divides viewers who find its pacing sluggish, its screenplay overly jargon-heavy, or its internal logic lacking in realism.
| Acting | Jeremy Irons delivers a standout, commanding performance that anchors the film's portrayal of corporate coldness. | |
| Direction | The film creates a palpable, claustrophobic atmosphere that effectively captures the anxiety of a looming financial collapse. | |
| Screenplay | The sharp, dialogue-heavy script rewards viewers interested in power dynamics but frustrates those seeking clear narrative stakes or technical financial realism. | |
| Pacing | The contemplative, slow-burn pace builds tension for some, while others find the repetitive office scenes and lack of traditional action exhausting. | |
| Acting | Performances from the ensemble are generally viewed as high-quality, though the depth of individual character arcs remains a point of contention. |