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Escape from New York

Escape from New York

Action · Thriller · Science Fiction · 1981

In a world ravaged by crime, the entire island of Manhattan has been converted into a walled prison where brutal prisoners roam free. After the US president crash-lands inside, war hero Snake Plissken has 24 hours to bring him back.

Movie details

Escape from New York

“1997. New York City is a walled, maximum security prison. Breaking out is impossible. Breaking in is insane.”

1981 Action · Thriller · Science Fiction 1h 39m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.1 / 10

Community rating

In a world ravaged by crime, the entire island of Manhattan has been converted into a walled prison where brutal prisoners roam free. After the US president crash-lands inside, war hero Snake Plissken has 24 hours to bring him back.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Escape from New York?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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The Delta Force

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Terminator 2: Judgment Day

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No Escape

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

John Carpenter

Written by

Nick Castle · John Carpenter

Kurt Russell

Kurt Russell

Snake Plissken

Lee Van Cleef

Lee Van Cleef

Police Commissioner Bob Hauk

Ernest Borgnine

Ernest Borgnine

Cabbie

Donald Pleasence

Donald Pleasence

President of the United States

Isaac Hayes

Isaac Hayes

The Duke of New York

Season Hubley

Season Hubley

Girl in Chock Full O'Nuts

Harry Dean Stanton

Harry Dean Stanton

Harold 'Brain' Helman

Court is in session

Put Escape from New York on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Adrenaline Seeker

“Momentum is a formal choice.”

The velocity sharpens instinct and tension, making every beat land before self-importance can settle in.

The prosecution The Auteur Devotee

“Speed as an alibi.”

The film races past its weak spots and hopes acceleration will keep the audience from inspecting the evidence.