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The Sum of All Fears
2002 124 min Canada, Germany, United States of America PG-13 16+
★6.1
Thriller, Action, Drama
Director: Phil Alden Robinson
🎭 Based on
«The Sum of All Fears»
byTom Clancy
Trailers
EN
EN
Description
When the president of Russia suddenly dies, a man whose politics are virtually unknown succeeds him. The change in political leaders sparks paranoia among American CIA officials, so CIA director Bill Cabot recruits a young analyst to supply insight and advice on the situation. Then the unthinkable happens: a nuclear bomb explodes in a U.S. city, and America is quick to blame the Russians.
Budget:
$68M
US Gross:
$118.91M
Worldwide:
$193.92M
Starring
Ben Affleck
Actor
Morgan Freeman
Actor
Ian Mongrain
Actor
Awards
2 wins & 5 nominations total
Key opinion
The Sum of All Fears is a polarizing political thriller that trades explosive action for a more cerebral, if occasionally uneven, approach to nuclear brinkmanship. While many viewers appreciate its nuanced perspective on US-Russia relations, the film is frequently critiqued for its slow pacing and the perceived miscasting of Ben Affleck as Jack Ryan.
| Acting | Morgan Freeman delivers a strong, reliable performance as CIA Director Cabot that elevates the supporting cast. | |
| Theme | The film offers a thoughtful, surprisingly balanced exploration of international distrust and the artificial nature of the US-Russia rivalry. | |
| Adaptation | The script diverges significantly from Tom Clancy’s source material, leading to disappointment among fans of the original novel. | |
| Acting | Ben Affleck's portrayal of Jack Ryan is divisive; some find him a competent fit for a younger agent, while others argue he lacks the gravitas of previous actors like Ford or Baldwin. | |
| Pacing | The narrative pacing is inconsistent, with some viewers finding the dialogue-heavy exposition and slow buildup tedious while others appreciate the contemplative approach. |