Conspiracy Theory
Directed by Richard Donner
- action
- drama
- mystery
- thriller
The story
A man obsessed with conspiracy theories becomes a target after one of his theories turns out to be true. Unfortunately, in order to save himself, he has to figure out which theory it is.
What it’s like
Gritty late-1990s New York in cold, overcast daylight and sodium-lit night streets, with taxi cabs, cramped apartments papered in clippings, and grimy government corridors. Donner shoots it with fast, restless handheld movement during the chases and hard-edged, saturated compositions through the thriller set pieces, while quieter scenes lean on close, uneasy two-shots. The score pulses with tense strings and percussion that tighten the chases, and the soundtrack leans on urban noise, sirens, and rain-slick traffic. The vibe is paranoid, jittery, and darkly funny, with a sense of being watched that never fully lifts. It moves at a brisk clip, with an unhurried middle that lets obsession and loneliness show. The intensity is moderate: a few brief, sharp bursts of gunfire and violence, some torture-adjacent menace and cruelty, and tension more than gore. It suits a late-night watch, a rainy evening, or a comfort-thriller binge, and it's for people who enjoy action with a wry, human heart and an unsettling political edge.
More films like Conspiracy Theory
Closest in mood, pacing and theme. Tell us why you loved Conspiracy Theory and we’ll explain which ones fit you.
