Switchback

1997, Mystery & thriller, 1h 58m

25 Reviews 5,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

Burdened by its heavy load of digressive plots turns and uneven performances, Switchback never gains any sense of narrative momentum. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

After his son is kidnapped by a notorious serial killer, FBI agent Frank LaCrosse (Dennis Quaid) travels to Amarillo, Texas, where he believes the murderer is in hiding. Although officially taken off the case because of its personal significance to him, Frank continues to pursue the killer, causing concern for local sheriff Buck Olmstead (R. Lee Ermey). When another victim pops up at a nearby car garage, Frank knows that he is as close as he'll ever be to tracking down the elusive kidnapper.
  • Rating:
    R
  • Genre:
    Mystery & thriller
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Jeb Stuart
  • Producer:
    Gale Anne Hurd
  • Writer:
    Jeb Stuart
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     original
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $6.5M
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Paramount Pictures
  • Sound Mix:
    Dolby Digital, Surround
  • Aspect Ratio:
    35mm, Scope (2.35:1)

Cast & Crew

Dennis Quaid
Frank LaCrosse
Danny Glover
Bob Goodall
Jared Leto
Lane Dixon
R. Lee Ermey
Sheriff Buck Olmstead
Ted Levine
Deputy Nate Booker
William Fichtner
Chief Jack McGinnis
Leo Burmester
Clyde 'Shorty' Callahan
Merle Kennedy
Betty, the Store Clerk
Julio Oscar Mechoso
Jorge Martinez
Orville Stoeber
Hector Saldez
Jeb Stuart
Director
Jeb Stuart
Writer
Mel Efros
Executive Producer
Keith Samples
Executive Producer
Jeb Stuart
Executive Producer
Gale Anne Hurd
Producer
Basil Poledouris
Original Music
Oliver Wood
Cinematographer
Conrad Buff IV
Film Editor
Pam Dixon
Casting
Jeffrey Howard
Production Design
Carl J. Stensel
Art Direction
Dena Roth
Set Decoration
Betsy Heimann
Costume Designer
Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for Switchback

All Critics (25) | Top Critics (7) | Fresh (8) | Rotten (17)

View All Critic Reviews (25)

Audience Reviews for Switchback

  • Jan 30, 2012
    Unfairly maligned and under appreciated, Swtichback is a very good suspense thriller, and an especially fine entry into the serial killer genre. The film is bolstered by a strong ensemble cast, headlined by Danny Glover, Dennis Quaid, and the underrated R. Lee Ermy. The film itself is smartly written (save for some of the last act), and does an excellent job of creating atmosphere and a sustained sense of tension. 4/5 Stars
    Jeffrey M Super Reviewer
  • Feb 09, 2010
    Scripter Jeb Stuart (Die Hard) made his directorial debut with this thriller about an FBI agent in pursuit of a serial killer. Politically ambitious Amarillo police chief Jack McGinnis (William Fichtner) uses a local murder to gain votes in his campaign, a setback for Sheriff Buck Olmstead (R. Lee Ermey), up for re-election. The situation looks better for Olmstead after FBI agent Frank LaCrosse (Dennis Quaid) arrives to track the killer. LaCrosse has a personal agenda: he's convinced this killer is the man who kidnapped his son. Meanwhile, ex-medical student Lane Dixon (Jared Leto), hitchhiking across New Mexico, gets a lift from friendly Bob Goodall (Danny Glover), a former rail worker who later rescues Dixon from menacing miners in a bar. Red herrings throughout conceal the true identity of the killer. Some scenes were filmed at an altitude of 10,000 feet in Red Cliff, Colorado. Working titles include: Going West in America, Going West. Shown at the 1997 Denver Film Festival.
    Martin D Super Reviewer
  • Dec 15, 2009
    The hunter became the hunted.
    Wahida K Super Reviewer
  • Jul 31, 2008
    This was good. I enjoyed it. Adventure, action 'mystery' & more.
    Kym (c my community profile) R Super Reviewer
See all Audience reviews

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