The Negotiator
He frees hostages for a living. Now he's taking hostages to survive.
The police try to arrest expert hostage negotiator Danny Roman, who insists he's being framed for his partner's murder in what he believes is an elaborate conspiracy. Thinking there's evidence in the Internal Affairs offices that might clear him, he takes everyone in the office hostage and demands that another well-known negotiator be brought in to handle the situation and secretly investigate the conspiracy.
Why watch The Negotiator
A strong, reliable pick for tonight. Delivers exactly what you'd expect from the genre with solid execution. Pour a drink, dim the lights, and let the opening scene pull you in — this one earns your evening. Expect the kind of story that lingers after the credits roll, the kind you'll want to text a friend about before bed. It isn't on a subscription service in your region right now, but rent, buy, or cinema options below will get you in the door.
— The What2Watch desk · US
Where to watch
The story
The police try to arrest expert hostage negotiator Danny Roman, who insists he's being framed for his partner's murder in what he believes is an elaborate conspiracy. Thinking there's evidence in the Internal Affairs offices that might clear him, he takes everyone in the office hostage and demands that another well-known negotiator be brought in to handle the situation and secretly investigate the conspiracy.
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Reviews & ratings
Samuel L. Jackson is renowned hostage negotiator "Roman" who is shocked to learn of the murder of his partner. A little further investigation reveals that he had been looking into a multi-million dollar pension fraud. Next thing he knows, "Roman" is being charged with his friend's killing and decides to turn the tables. He goes to the office of the Internal Affairs department, seizes some hostages, barricades himself…Show more
The Negotiator is one of those classic thrillers that still holds up well today. The plot is engaging from the start, throwing you into a tense, high-stakes standoff where trust and deception play a big role. The pacing is solid, though it stretches a bit in parts, but the setup and execution make up for it. F. Gary Gray's direction keeps the tension tight, balancing action and drama without overcomplicating thin…Show more
By the numbers
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