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Chad Allen, Sebastian Spence, Michael Woods, Daryl Shuttleworth, Anne Marie De Luise ... see more see more... , Rikki Gagne , Morgan Fairchild , Nelson Wong , Jared Keeso

The traditional crime thriller gets a modern twist with this sequel to Third Man Out following the further adventures of gay detective Donald Strachey (Chad Allen). Hard boiled private investigator Do... read more read more...nald Strachey has just found the lifeless body of his latest client, and now in order to catch the killer he'll be forced to rely on his straight-laced husband Tim and overenthusiastic assistant Kenny. As the investigation leads Strachey straight into Dr. Trevor Cornell's dark world of "conversion therapy,' where psychology and religion combine with the singular goal of turning average everyday homosexuals "straight," the stage is set for a climactic showdown with more than a few surprising twists and turns. Sebastian Spence and Morgan Fairchild co-star in an adaptation of author Richard Stevenson's best-selling series of books that will have viewers of all sexual pursuasions on the edge of their seats. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Flixster Users

34% liked it

15,344 ratings

Critics

50% liked it

8 critics

R, 1 hr. 31 min.

Directed by: Ron Oliver

Release Date: August 4, 2006

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DVD Release Date: February 13, 2007

Stats: 259 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (259)

  • jusstpete
    May 13, 2012
    jusstpete
    This is a sly, refreshingly grown-up gay entertainment, though rather less satisfying as a thriller.
  • gms1yygy
    January 6, 2008
    gms1yygy
    This does not have a lot of "viewers". Sad. It's a very good story very well done and has dozens of things going for it. Insights into being gay? a handfull ! And the detective and his lover are NOT from any broken mountain.

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Critic Reviews

Frank Scheck
August 14, 2006
Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter

While the idea would certainly seem to hold promise for interesting social commentary, the script by Ron McGee lacks the necessary bite, as does the rote direction of Ron Oliver.

Nathan Lee
August 4, 2006
Nathan Lee, New York Times

This is a sly, refreshingly grown-up gay entertainment, though rather less satisfying as a thriller.

Michael Ordoņa
August 3, 2006
Michael Ordoņa, Los Angeles Times

Where film noir is often punch-drunk with a jab of snappy patter and a left hook of world-weary cynicism, Shock tries to clinch with understanding. Full Review

Jim Ridley
August 2, 2006
Jim Ridley, Village Voice

... director Ron Oliver applies a thin veneer of straight-to-cable pseudo-gloss without finding a workable tone, and the cast lacks the charisma and chemistry to make the genre and gender-bending regi... Full Review

Robert Koehler
July 27, 2006
Robert Koehler, Variety

A perfectly respectable second entry in the saga of gay private eye Donald Strachey. Full Review

Pam Grady
August 5, 2006
Pam Grady, Reel.com

It's certainly a pleasant enough way to kill 90 minutes.

Maitland McDonagh
August 4, 2006
Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide's Movie Guide

Were it not for the fact that the hero and many of the major supporting characters are gay... this breezy, disposable film could as easily have been a mainstream network pilot for a McMillan and Wife-... Full Review

Ed Gonzalez
July 16, 2006
Ed Gonzalez, Slant Magazine

Pity there was no room for Phyllis Diller or Carol Channing here, because then the film might have had a leg up on Scooby-Doo and the Creepy Castle. Full Review

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Shock to the System Trivia

  • I was 'Ulysses' in 'A Shock To The System', I was 'Lazarus' in 'Black Snake Moan', and I was 'Zues' in 'Die Hard III', so who am I?  Answer »
  • In which movie does Michael Caine say: "Abra kadabra. Shalakazam. Bye-bye, baby. Boom."  Answer »
  • What is the name of Michael Caine's character in "A Shock to the System"?  Answer »
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