SummaryA former Secret Service agent named Frank Farmer (Costner) hires himself out on short-term assignments guarding VIPs. He typically avoids taking on celebrities, but he is talked into protecting Rachel Marron Houston), a sing-turned-actress who has been receiving threatening letters.
Directed By:Mick Jackson
Written By:Lawrence Kasdan
The Bodyguard
Metascore
Generally Unfavorable
39
User score
Generally Favorable
6.8
My Score
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Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Unfavorable
39
20% Positive
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
40% Mixed
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
40% Negative
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
100
There's no pretending this is a perfect movie. Yet I doubt I could have enjoyed it more if it were. [25 Nov 1992, p.E1]
63
It all works quite well as glossy entertainment, but ultimately The Bodyguard satisfies only if you don't think about it too much. [25 Nov 1992, p.D3]
User score
Generally Favorable
6.8
53% Positive
28 Ratings
28 Ratings
42% Mixed
22 Ratings
22 Ratings
6% Negative
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
Jan 3, 2021
9
Good movie with an interesting insight in the job as a bodyguard. Costner is playing well as always, even though his role is rather boring. Whitney Houston is stealing a lot of attention because her role is much more sympathic. The plot itself could be a bit better but on the other side I dont watch romances anymore and this movie caught me. Also I am sad to see such an incredible singer and entertainer to lose because of drugs.
Sep 26, 2025
8
What the F is wrong with the critics? Yes, the movie has some clichés, but it is well acted (especially Whitney Houston plays naturally) and the story is believable. Have seen it a few times. I would really love to see the critics explain why the movie is so bad in their opinion, maybe I can learn some. Until that day, I give the movie 8 out of 10.
60
Its popularity continues to confound critics everywhere.
40
No wonder this Lawrence Kasdan script has been on the shelf for more than a decade: In the custody of director Mick Jackson, it proves a jumbled mess, with a few enjoyable moments but little continuity or flow.
30
The Bodyguard isn't a good movie, but it's often enjoyably bad, and that's no small achievement. So many talented people had a hand in it, starting with director Mick Jackson and screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan, that you stare at the screen in a state of rapt bewilderment. Just about everything that can go wrong with this film does, and yet it's compulsively watchable. (So is a train wreck.) [25 Nov 1992, p.F1]
25
Parts of The Bodyguard are inadvertently hilarious, as in a romantic encounter involving Houston, Costner and a samurai sword (she unsheathes it so very, very carefully). Others just seem to go on, and on, and on -- at two hours and five minutes, this one is easily a half-hour too long. [25 Nov 1992, p.E4]
0
Perhaps one of the most unbearable viewing experiences of the year, complete with a formulaic script, lousy acting, and muddled direction.
Feb 14, 2022
7
The Bodyguard. I'm not afraid because you are near. If we evaluate the film in general, then it is about how Frank and Rachel stare at each other. Rachel herself, throughout the film, rushes about to protect me and don’t defend me, which is rather annoying when watching.
Mar 4, 2018
7
I watched it for the soundtrack and the chemistry between Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner. If not for these two actors, the movie wouldn't have been as successful as it was.
Dec 28, 2025
5
It seems like a good movie, but everything is annoying. The main character is not a child and talks about controlling emotions, but at the same time he is emotional because of an explosion of emotions that he denies. The person he is protecting is just a big child, and the reason for the killer's appearance is also stupid.
Apr 9, 2025
5
Disappointed by this, I found most of the dialogue pretty lacking and the sister plotline is an all time ?????
Production Company:
- Warner Bros.
- Kasdan Pictures
- Tig Productions
Release Date:Nov 25, 1992
Duration:2 h 9 m
Rating:R
Tagline:Never let her out of your sight. Never let your guard down. Never fall in love.
Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 2 Nominations
MTV Movie + TV Awards
• 2 Wins & 8 Nominations
Razzie Awards
• 8 Nominations
