
Gattaca
1997, Sci fi, 1h 52m
64 Reviews 100,000+ RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
Intelligent and scientifically provocative, Gattaca is an absorbing sci fi drama that poses important interesting ethical questions about the nature of science. Read critic reviews
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Movie Info
Cast & Crew
Vincent Freeman
Irene Cassini
Jerome Eugene Morrow
Director Josef
Det. Hugo
Anton Freeman
News & Interviews for Gattaca
Critic Reviews for Gattaca
All Critics (64) | Top Critics (16) | Fresh (53) | Rotten (11)
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Stylishly scoped with ice-blue hues and smartly visualized with a forbiddingly cold design, Gattaca is an intelligently-conceived sci-fi chiller starring Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman.
October 25, 2019 | Full Review… -
An institutional hush envelops the compelling cautionary fable Gattaca as if it were muffled by a velvet lab coat.
January 10, 2018 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review… -
A thoughtful hybrid of sci-fi, thriller, and character drama; to give you some idea of its high-mindedness, it not only opens with a relevant Bible verse (Ecclesiastes 7:13), but in the opening credits that follow, Gore Vidal is fifth-billed.
November 14, 2017 | Full Review… -
I didn't care enough about Hawke's character to ignore a big problem in the story's logic: if this future has such incredible biotechnology, why can't Law just get his damaged body parts fixed?
June 5, 2007 | Full Review… -
One of first Hollywood films about the effects of genetic engineering on human conduct, Andrew Niccol's directing debut is an intelligent and timely sci-fi that, despite some illogical plot contrivances, is emotionally engaging almost up to the end.
July 5, 2006 | Rating: 3/4 -
Chilly, elegant, and a little bloodless.
June 24, 2006 | Full Review…
Audience Reviews for Gattaca
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Jan 13, 2016Gattaca is a gorgeously realised sci-fi romance that is so extremely tense that it borders on uncomfortably erotic at times, with Uma Thurman's stony gaze and glaring eyes boring right out of the screen and Ethan Hawke's smoulderingly adjusted return to this being an example of perfect casting in a film. Unfortunately, Gattaca is so uber-stylish and incredibly in depth that it very exclusive and kind of pretentious at times. It doesn't appeal to mainstream audiences that's for sure, but that isn't a bad thing. It's not really my sort of thing.Harry W Super Reviewer
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Dec 16, 2013[img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img]Directors C Super Reviewer
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Jan 20, 2013Vincent Freeman (Ethan Hawke) is a genetically inferior man. In order to pursue his lifelong dream of space travel he assumes the identity of Jerome "Eugene" Morrow (Jude Law) who is genetically superior. I like Gattaca and think that it's a very good movie. Andrew Niccol does a great job (Writer/ Director) and I feel that he has presented a very intriguing and thought provoking film. In the age of cloning and genetic modification one does wonder how long it will be before scenes from this film become a reality; simply handing in a blood sample at a job interview. To quote a few lines from Jurassic Park; "scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, that they didn't stop to think if they should." "What you call discovery, I call the rape of the natural world." Although Gattaca is a very different film, it does convey a very similar message and poses some important questions. Is genetically modifying children right? How much should be left to chance? How big a part does fate play in people's lives compared to what we were born with? In the fight between modified and unmodified, is it always the strongest that survives? The acting is pretty solid throughout and on the whole the cast are all believable. I am not the biggest Jude Law fan, but for me he gives the standout performance here. He does seem to be the most interesting character whenever he is on screen. I particularly like the scene where he is stopped by the police for an identity check. Since its release in 1997 it hasn't received any major recognition. I feel that it has been under-rated and pretty much forgotten about. I have asked many people their opinion of Gattaca and for most it's un-heard of. Unfortunately it seems that this film has fallen "through the net". I think that, that is a shame as it's quite a catch (pardon the pun). I would recommend this movie to anyone and would suggest that you won't be disappointed. I think that Gattaca is good entertainment, it doesn't go on for too long, doesn't flood your brain with technical mumbo jumbo and definitely gives you food for thought. It won't have you on the edge of your seat biting your finger nails, nor will it have you dozing off. But it is a good, solid, decent movie about a timely topic.James C Super Reviewer
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Jan 06, 2013It has exciting thrills, provoking themes, spectacular visuals and stylistic substance, which make this a sci-fi classic from the '90s. Ethan Hawke, Jude Law, and Uma Thurman put on convincing performances that brought out the uniqueness of each character in a futuristic period. Sleek and compelling, "Gattaca" had my full attention.Chihoe H Super Reviewer
Gattaca Quotes
Detective Hugo: | I was also in the Slums of Beverly HIlls. |
Vincent Freeman: | Of course, they say every atom in our bodies was once part of a star |
Vincent Freeman: | Of course, they say every atom in our bodies was once part of a star. |
Vincent Freeman: | For someone who was never meant for this world, I must confess I'm suddenly having a hard time leaving it. Of course, they say every atom in our bodies was once part of a star. Maybe I'm not leaving... maybe I'm going home. |
Jerome Morrow: | I got the better end of the deal. I only lent you my body - you lent me your dream. |
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