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The Negotiator

Play trailer Poster for The Negotiator R 1998 2h 18m Mystery & Thriller Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
76% Tomatometer 54 Reviews 79% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
Danny Roman (Samuel L. Jackson) is considered the best police hostage negotiator in Chicago. After a friend warns him that someone is embezzling from a disability fund, the person is found dead. Internal affairs investigator Niebaum (J.T. Walsh) discovers the gun used had been handled by Roman. When no one believes his innocence, Roman takes Niebaum hostage. When Chris Sabian (Kevin Spacey) arrives to hear Roman's demands, the two skilled negotiators begin a tense stand-off.
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The Negotiator

The Negotiator

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Critics Consensus

The Negotiator's battle of wits doesn't wholly justify its excessive length, but confident direction by F. Gary Gray and formidable performances makes this a situation audiences won't mind being hostage to.

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Critics Reviews

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Emanuel Levy Variety Sep 11, 2006
B-
Teaming for the first time Kevin Spacey and Samuel Jackson, arguably the two best actors of their generation, in perfectly fitting roles is a shrewd move and the best element of this fact-inspired but overwrought thriller Go to Full Review Janet Maslin New York Times Jan 1, 2000
3/5
ike Mr. Jackson, Mr. Spacey cuts an impressively cryptic figure even when dealing in platitudes, and the two stars do get to make the sort of declarations that rarely crop up in everyday life. Go to Full Review Charles Taylor Salon.com Jan 1, 2000
"The Negotiator" slogs on for two hours and 20 minutes, and there's hardly a real laugh or a genuine thrill in it. Go to Full Review Nick Rogers Midwest Film Journal Dec 13, 2023
3.5/5
When, in a weary moment, Danny says “you can’t beat the system,” Samuel L. Jackson underlines the underpinnings that still distinguish "The Negotiator" and that there could have been no more perfect project for Jackson’s leap into leading-man status. Go to Full Review Leigh Paatsch Herald Sun (Australia) Jul 28, 2020
2/5
A big, dumb, lumbering cop thriller that works through a very familiar, very basic formula, very, very slowly indeed. Go to Full Review Kevin Carr 7M Pictures Jun 27, 2011
3.5/5
It's not perfect, but it's enjoyable enough to be one of those movies I might stop channel surfing to watch on late-night television. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jacob W @RT17896586 1 day ago A three star action 90s movie See more Robert P @Superbad Sep 14, 2026 The Negotiator = a *4* star Movie! See more Zane T @ZaneThind Sep 8, 2026 A riveting crime thriller that keeps you in the driver's seat at all times. Backed by great performances, especially from Samuel L Jackson, Paul Giamatti, and Kevin Spacey. They deserved Oscar recognition for this. See more Ian R @RT23899272 Aug 30, 2026 Tediously long film. Preposterous presumption to begin the story. Sam Jackson is again type cast as the token black actor. Okay, if you have nothing better to do with over 2 hours. See more Teddy S @Teddy_S Aug 25, 2026 Basic and predictable story but well executed. Elevated into must-watch territory by Jackson and Spacey, who are both utterly compelling. See more Joaquin U @Joaquin1 May 4, 2026 Entertaining. The kind of movie you throw on to decompress at night. Crime, mystery, action, and a solid cast. Still, it drags its feet, and the thrill factor isn’t really there. An average popcorn film. See more Read all reviews
The Negotiator

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Cast & Crew

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F. Gary Gray

Director

Samuel L. Jackson

Lt. Danny Roman

Kevin Spacey

Lt. Chris Sabian

David Morse

Cmdr. Adam Beck

Ron Rifkin

Cmdr. Grant Frost

John Spencer

Chief Al Travis

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The Negotiator

The Negotiator (1998) The Negotiator (1998) The Negotiator (1998) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Danny Roman (Samuel L. Jackson) is considered the best police hostage negotiator in Chicago. After a friend warns him that someone is embezzling from a disability fund, the person is found dead. Internal affairs investigator Niebaum (J.T. Walsh) discovers the gun used had been handled by Roman. When no one believes his innocence, Roman takes Niebaum hostage. When Chris Sabian (Kevin Spacey) arrives to hear Roman's demands, the two skilled negotiators begin a tense stand-off.
Director
F. Gary Gray
Producer
Arnon Milchan, David Hoberman
Screenwriter
James DeMonaco, Kevin Fox
Distributor
Warner Home Vídeo, Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
Warner Brothers, New Regency Pictures, Regency Enterprises
Rating
R
Genre
Mystery & Thriller, Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 29, 1998, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA)
$44.7M
Runtime
2h 18m
Sound Mix
SDDS, DTS, Surround, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
35mm, Scope (2.35:1)
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