The Trigger Effect

Play trailer

The Trigger Effect

R

1996

1h 35m

Mystery & Thriller

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

72%

Tomatometer

25 Reviews

45%

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.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

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

Read Critics Reviews

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

Read all reviews

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

Jul 21, 2018

Very subtile und well acted thriller about the slow breakdown of society during a power outrage. Creepy like an invisible apocalypse.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

David Koepp

Director

Kyle MacLachlan

Matthew

Elisabeth Shue

Annie Kay

Dermot Mulroney

Joe

Richard T. Jones

Raymond

Michael Rooker

Gary

Fear

47%

63%

Fear

Watchlist

Cape Fear

77%

77%

Cape Fear

Watchlist

A Kiss Before Dying

31%

32%

A Kiss Before Dying

Watchlist

Breakdown

83%

69%

Breakdown

Watchlist

Copycat

76%

65%

Copycat

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

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

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings