SummaryA movie special effects man is hired to fake a real-life mob killing for a witness protection plan, but finds his own life in danger.
Directed By:Robert Mandel
Written By:Robert T. Megginson, Gregory Fleeman
F/X
Metascore
Generally Favorable
71
User score
Generally Favorable
7.1
My Score
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Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
71
88% Positive
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
13% Mixed
1 Review
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
88
This movie takes a lot of delight in being more psychologically complex than it has to be. It contains fights and shootouts and big chase scenes, but they're all firmly centered on who the characters are and what they mean to one another.
80
A love of the world of movies permeates the first-class, crackling excitement of F/X, giving a rare dimension to this thriller.
75
In the hallowed Hollywood tradition of mindless flash, F/X turns the suspension of disbelief into airy entertainment. [7 Feb 1986, p.D3]
75
The action sequences are well staged and the twists and turns of the convoluted plot will keep viewers guessing. A competent and unpretentious entertainment.
70
Basic premise here is so strong that it proves well-nigh indestructable, even in the face of numerous implausibilities, some silly dialogue and less-than-great casting in secondary roles.
70
The movie, which looks as if it had been made on an A-picture budget, has a lot of the zest one associates with special-effects-filled B-pictures.
50
F/X doesn't have the surprises when it needs them. [8 Feb 1986, p.C7]
User score
Generally Favorable
7.1
73% Positive
11 Ratings
11 Ratings
20% Mixed
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
7% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
Apr 3, 2026
7
If you simply accept the absurd aspects of the plot, "F/X" delivers a straightforward, handcrafted, and genuinely likeable conspiracy thriller with action elements. The decision by those in charge to take the "wrong man gets caught up in a conspiracy and uses special skills to bring down the masterminds" story seriously proves to be the right one. As a result, the film is not only entertaining but also genuinely thrilling. Bryan Brown as the Australian fish out of water and Brian Dennehy (️) as the New York cop deliver excellent performances, and Bill Conti's music enhances the production, as do Miroslav Ondriček's cinematography. The end credits sequence comes a bit out of nowhere, but I'm happy for the two of them, and "Just an Illusion" by Imagination is a real banger – ooh ooh ooh ooh aaAAaah In short: "F/X" gets way too little attention, and I'm really looking forward to the sequel.
