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The Trigger Effect

Play trailer Poster for The Trigger Effect R 1996 1h 35m Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
70% Tomatometer 23 Reviews 44% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
When a blackout hits, it doesn't take long before Matthew (Kyle MacLachlan) and Annie (Elisabeth Shue) start breaking the law to protect themselves as they steal medicine for their sick child. But when the power stays out for several days and violence erupts, both the couple and their friend, Joe (Dermot Mulroney), decide that the best action is driving to Annie's parents' home. During the long road trip, they must stop to steal gasoline -- but those with resources are desperately guarding them.
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The Trigger Effect

The Trigger Effect

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Critics Consensus

The Trigger Effect offers a captivating tale of paranoia and societal collapse, even if it runs out of thrills early on.

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Critics Reviews

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Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader Jun 14, 2022
A commendable but ultimately perplexing failure. Go to Full Review
Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Nov 14, 2023
B-
For this film to have worked better for me, I would need an alien invasion to add to its inexplicable strangeness and paranoia. Go to Full Review
Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com Jan 6, 2006
3/5
Flawed but worthy. Go to Full Review
Chuck O'Leary Fantastica Daily Oct 21, 2005
3/5
Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Jul 6, 2005
2/5
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Audience Reviews

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Peter W @RT12077588 Oct 23, 2026 The Trigger Effect is an engaging and thought-provoking thriller-drama that explores how ordinary people react when society's basic comforts begin to disappear. Its greatest strength is not the mystery surrounding the blackout itself but the way it examines fear, paranoia, desperation, and the gradual breakdown of human behaviour under pressure. Matthew's transformation from a passive and uncertain man into someone willing to make increasingly desperate choices for his family provides the film's strongest character arc. The performances are strong, the concept remains compelling, and the slow-burning tension keeps audiences invested throughout. Unfortunately, the rushed ending prevents the film from reaching its full potential and significantly weakens what could have been a far more memorable finale. Even so, the journey remains worthwhile. See more thiago s @Thiagostone Nov 15, 2025 Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom See more Darsou C @RT09893534 May 6, 2025 An underrated film with poignancy and standout performances See more John B @Randalltex Apr 2, 2025 love, love, love this film. Interesting concept with the great performances and direction See more Jeffrey P @vanillavoodoo1 Jul 8, 2020 Ummm... more interesting than usual given that reality for all is seemingly teetering closer than ever before to similar circumstances as in this 25-year-old movie. This was decent, somewhat dated but not so much that it keeps the viewer from relating to it. 3 of 5 See more adam b Sep 25, 2019 A drama that plays its premise spectacularly and to its bare extent and I found myself enjoying every bit of it See more Read all reviews
The Trigger Effect

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Movie Info

Synopsis When a blackout hits, it doesn't take long before Matthew (Kyle MacLachlan) and Annie (Elisabeth Shue) start breaking the law to protect themselves as they steal medicine for their sick child. But when the power stays out for several days and violence erupts, both the couple and their friend, Joe (Dermot Mulroney), decide that the best action is driving to Annie's parents' home. During the long road trip, they must stop to steal gasoline -- but those with resources are desperately guarding them.
Director
David Koepp
Producer
Michael Grillo
Screenwriter
James Burke, David Koepp
Distributor
Gramercy Pictures
Production Co
Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment
Rating
R
Genre
Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 30, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 10, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$3.6M
Runtime
1h 35m
Sound Mix
Surround
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