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Bryan Brown, Brian Dennehy, Diane Venora, Cliff De Young, Mason Adams ... see more see more... , Jerry Orbach , Joe Grifasi , Martha Gehman , Roscoe Orman , Trey Wilson , Tom Noonan , James Babchak , Angela Bassett , Gibby Brand , Ed Crowley , Christopher Curry , Paul D'Amato , Jean De Baer , Josie de Guzman , John Doumanian , Drummond Erskine , Michael Fischetti , Tim Gallin , Ray Iannicelli , George Kodisch , Joe Pentangelo , James Pickens Jr. , Patrick Stack , James Lovelett , Marvin Beck , Gerald Campbell , Jim Cordes , Mel Dowd , Jim Elliott , Bernie Friedman , Richard Hayes , Yolanda Lloyd , Christopher McHale , John McLoughlin

A man who simulates death for a living finds himself unwittingly tied into the real thing in this New York-based suspense drama. Special-effects man Rollie Tyler (Bryan Brown) makes his living simulat... read more read more...ing gory mayhem and photogenic violence for movies such as "I Dismember Mama." Tyler is given a chance to expand his professional horizons when he's approached by Lipton (Cliff De Young), who introduces himself as an FBI agent and makes an unusual proposal. Mob kingpin Nicholas DeFranco (Jerry Orbach) is willing to testify against his fellow gangsters, but the investigators are worried about his safety. Lipton wants Tyler to help him and his staff fake DeFranco's assassination; if everyone is convinced DeFranco is dead, people will be a lot less likely to look for him. Tyler grudgingly takes the assignment, and while he's able to realistically simulate DeFranco being shot in a crowded restaurant, after the "gag," he discovers that he's been double-crossed, and he's wanted for the murder of the man he just "shot." Tyler hides out with his girlfriend, Ellen (Diane Venora), but he realizes that whoever set him up wants him dead after she's killed by a bullet meant for him. With the help of fellow effects artist Andy (Martha Gehman), Tyler goes underground and tries to unravel the truth behind the Lipton murder. Meanwhile, police detective Leo McCarthy (Brian Dennehy) is convinced that something is not right when he's called to the scene of DeFranco's murder and is certain that the dead body is not the gangster. F/X was followed by a sequel, and later a short-lived TV series. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

48% liked it

9,629 ratings

Critics

85% liked it

20 critics

R, 2 hr.

Directed by: Robert Mandel, Gary Davis (II)

Release Date: February 7, 1986

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DVD Release Date: June 13, 2000

Stats: 235 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (235)

  • ajv2688
    January 27, 2011
    ajv2688
    An okay action thriller movie, I saw it a long time ago on TV, so maybe I should see it again, but I wasn't too impressed with it the first time.
  • SirPant
    September 29, 2009
    SirPant
    An old favourite
  • 76Majikat
    December 29, 2007
    76Majikat
    This one is an easy watching, layed back and don't think about it too much type of film. I think Bryan Brown has great character about and most definitely makes the film. The concept is certainly a novel idea.

    VERDICT: Don't buy or rent, but worth a look if it comes on tv
  • YosemiteSamFan
    August 3, 2007
    YosemiteSamFan
    Cool concept for a movie. I like the insight into how some of the movie effects are created. There are some nice plot developments here.
  • garyX
    March 20, 2007
    garyX
    An SFX expert is duped into committing murder, and has to use all his skills to bring the real criminals to justice in a workmanlike thriller that looks as cheap and unconvincing as Brian Browns rubber monsters.
  • stuartb1234
    January 8, 2007
    stuartb1234
    Good Film
  • deano
    November 20, 2006
    deano
    Good suspense movie with use special effects.
  • aaiverson
    December 28, 2011
    aaiverson
    F/X is entertaining on a base level thanks to a few clever twists, but it's also laughably implausible too much of the time and embraces an inconsistent tone that tries to find balance between bloody violence and silly, prop-related stunts to middling effect.
  • MagnusMagica
    October 6, 2007
    MagnusMagica
    I was blown away by this film the first time I saw it on video back in the 80's. Great twists and turns that makes you sit on the edge of your seat all the way to the end. Great performences all around. A real gem!
  • charliebrownforever
    May 10, 2007
    charliebrownforever
    A great sleeper hit! A fun alternative to cops and detectives having all of the adventures. Bryan Brown and Brian Dennehy are both great actors.

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Critic Reviews

Variety Staff
April 9, 2008
Variety Staff, Variety

As contrived and plot-hole ridden as it is, F/X still works quite effectively as a crowd-pleasing popcorn picture. Full Review

Vincent Canby
May 20, 2003
Vincent Canby, New York Times

The film is as much a demonstration of various kinds of special effects as it is about them. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The irony of F/X, which is a very good thriller indeed, is that it avoids the pitfall of so many thrillers; it doesn't degenerate into a mindless display of special effects. Full Review

April 9, 2008
Film4

It looks dated and shoddy now, never taking itself as seriously as the darker sequel. Full Review

April 9, 2008
TV Guide's Movie Guide

A competent and unpretentious entertainment. Full Review

Steve Crum
September 10, 2006
Steve Crum, Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers

Fun cat and mouse mystery-adventure with fun special effects angle.

Chuck O'Leary
February 17, 2006
Chuck O'Leary, FulvueDrive-in.com

A clever, lightning-paced thriller about a Tom Savini-style special effects artist who becomes a pawn in the scheme of some rogue government agents. A surprise modest hit in 1986.

January 26, 2006
Time Out

The action sequences are efficiently handled, but look elsewhere for psychological or emotional insight. Full Review

Jake Euker
March 10, 2004
Jake Euker, F5 (Wichita, KS)

A well-respected thriller; its coldness left me out.

Jeffrey M. Anderson
January 17, 2003
Jeffrey M. Anderson, San Francisco Examiner

A fun, clever little thriller.

View more F/X reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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F/X Trivia

  • What movie did Tom Savini decide to do the special fx make-up on instead of Friday the 13th part 2?  Answer »
  • "Amelie" and "Independence Day" shared the same special FX budget  Answer »
  • In the movie "FX" at the end of the movie there is music playing called "Just an Illusion". What is the name of the group who plays it?   Answer »
  • In the movie business, what is Tom Savini best known for?  Answer »
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