No Way Out

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No Way Out

R

1987

1h 53m

Mystery & Thriller

Action

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

46 Reviews

73%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Navy Lt. Tom Farrell (Kevin Costner) meets a young woman, Susan Atwell (Sean Young), and they share a passionate fling. Farrell then finds out that his superior, Defense Secretary David Brice (Gene Hackman), is also romantically involved with Atwell. When the young woman turns up dead, Farrell is put in charge of the murder investigation. He begins to uncover shocking clues about the case, but when details of his encounter with Susan surface, he becomes a suspect as well.

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Critics Consensus

Roger Donaldson's modern spin on the dense, stylish suspense films of the 1940s features fine work from Gene Hackman and Sean Young, as well as the career-making performance that made Kevin Costner a star.

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Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

Jul 29, 2013

While the film's behind-the-scenes look into the world of Washington bureaucracy is appealing, the movie is a complete letdown as a thriller, dissolving into implausible silliness.

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Tribune

Jul 29, 2013

3/4

No Way Out emerges, paradoxically, as a film that is better than it has to be and not as good as it ought to be, but there is skill here, as well as an admirable willingness to try something new.

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Sheila Benson

Los Angeles Times

Jul 29, 2013

No Way Out's greatest prize is Costner, a leading man at last: fiercely good, intelligent, appreciatively sensual in a performance balanced perfectly between action and introspection.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Jan 14, 2026

3.5/4

A grade-A thriller.

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Richard Freedman

Newark Star-Ledger

Jan 6, 2026

A complex, rip-roaring suspense tale with a difference: It's about believable people caught in a real jam.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Feb 6, 2025

6/10

The finale is unforgettable, though not in a particularly satisfying way.

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Bonnie T

@RT48201906 Oct 3, 2026

One of THE BEST movies he ever did!!! Have watched it 5 times..

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Mickey B

@Mickerdoo Sep 8, 2026

All of that investment in an exciting underdog, insurmountable odds obstacle only to be pissed away in the last two minutes.

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Kyle G

@Nightkicker Sep 2, 2026

High tension, twist ending that wasn't fulfilling. Nudity was unnecessary.

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Daniel S

@RT46239193 Aug 30, 2026

Tom Farrell (played by Kevin Costner) fornicates with Susan Atwell (played by Sean Young). David Brice (played by Gene Hackman) commits adultery with Susan Atwell. No one is the hero in this story.

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Stoner J

@Stoner Aug 3, 2026

One of the great thrillers of the 80’s. Right next to Dead Calm, which, is probably better but nevertheless, No Way Out is good.

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stevie68a T

@RT15696487 Jun 23, 2026

Great movie. I loved the twist ending. Iv'e seen it multiple times.

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Roger Donaldson

Director

Kevin Costner

Lt. Cmdr. Tom Farrell

Gene Hackman

Defense Secretary David Brice

Sean Young

Susan Atwell

Will Patton

Scott Pritchard

Howard Duff

Senator William "Billy" Duvall

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Synopsis

Navy Lt. Tom Farrell (Kevin Costner) meets a young woman, Susan Atwell (Sean Young), and they share a passionate fling. Farrell then finds out that his superior, Defense Secretary David Brice (Gene Hackman), is also romantically involved with Atwell. When the young woman turns up dead, Farrell is put in charge of the murder investigation. He begins to uncover shocking clues about the case, but when details of his encounter with Susan surface, he becomes a suspect as well.

Director: Roger Donaldson
Producer: Laura Ziskin, Robert Garland
Screenwriter: Robert Garland
Production Co: Orion Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 5, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $31.7M
Runtime: 1h 53m
Sound Mix: Surround

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