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Swimming with Sharks

Name: Swimming with Sharks
Genre: Crime, Comedy
Released: 1994-09-10
Cast: Kevin Spacey, Frank Whaley, Michelle Forbes, Benicio del Toro, T.E. Russell

1994 | 93 min | Crime, Comedy

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It earned strong reviews (76% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a box office loss. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it: Made for crime fans and anyone who wants a laugh. If you loved Ruthless People, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood: Provocative satire that goes after everyone.
The pace: Breezy, at 1 hr 33 min.
What might put you off: Rated R: meant for adults.

Guy is a young film executive who's willing to do whatever it takes to make it in Hollywood. He begins working for famed producer Buddy Ackerman, a domineering, manipulative, coldhearted boss. When Guy also finds out that his cynical girlfriend, Dawn, has been using sex as a career move, he reaches his limit. Guy decides to exact revenge on Buddy by kidnapping him and subjecting him to cruel and unusual punishment.

How it earned its rating

CriticsStrong
76% on Rotten Tomatoes, 66 on Metacritic
AudiencesSolid
6.6 out of 10
AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
Box office & staying powerBelow par
$383K worldwide on a $700K budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 61K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by George Huang

Kevin SpaceyBuddy Ackerman
Frank WhaleyGuy
Michelle ForbesDawn Lockard
Benicio del ToroRex
T.E. RussellFoster Kane
Roy DotriceCyrus Miles
Matthew FlintManny
Patrick FischlerMoe
Jerry LevineJack