Swordfish is a 2001 action thriller film directed by Dominic Sena and starring John Travolta, Hugh Jackman, and Halle Berry. The movie revolves around a former hacker named Stanley Jobson (Jackman) who is recruited by Gabriel Shear (Travolta), a mysterious man who wants Stanley’s expertise to crack a government security system.
Gabriel has a plan to steal billions of dollars in untraceable funds, and he needs Stanley to do it. Stanley is reluctant at first but agrees when he learns that Gabriel is holding his daughter hostage. Stanley begins working with Gabriel’s team, which includes a sultry hacker named Ginger (Berry), but he soon realizes that Gabriel has his own agenda and that he is not to be trusted.
The film is known for its high-octane action sequences and intense performances by the lead actors. John Travolta delivers a captivating performance as the villainous Gabriel, while Hugh Jackman is convincing as the reluctant hero who must navigate a dangerous world of espionage and double-crosses.
The film also features an iconic scene in which Halle Berry’s character is forced to strip down to her underwear in order to distract a security guard while the rest of the team carries out their heist.
Overall, Swordfish is a fast-paced and thrilling ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. With its complex plot, well-developed characters, and explosive action scenes, it’s a must-see for fans of the action thriller genre.
Cast
The cast of Swordfish includes:
- John Travolta as Gabriel Shear
- Hugh Jackman as Stanley Jobson
- Halle Berry as Ginger Knowles
- Don Cheadle as Agent J.T. Roberts
- Vinnie Jones as Marco
- Sam Shepard as Senator James Reisman
- Camryn Grimes as Holly Jobson
- Drea de Matteo as Melissa
- Rudolf Martin as Axl Torvalds
- Zach Grenier as Assistant Director Bill Joy
- Angelo Pagan as Torres
- Kirk B.R. Woller as A.D. Miles
- Carmen Argenziano as Agent Tim DeKay
- William Mapother as Gabriel’s computer tech
- Laura Lane as Hostage
- Timothy Omundson as Agent Thomas Lindros.
Production
Swordfish was produced by Joel Silver, Jonathan D. Krane, and Paul Winze. It was directed by Dominic Sena and written by Skip Woods. The film was released in 2001 and was produced by Warner Bros. Pictures, Village Roadshow Pictures, and Silver Pictures.
The film was shot on location in Los Angeles, California, as well as several other locations including Washington D.C. and New York City. The production utilized a variety of practical effects and stunts, including explosions, car chases, and gun battles.
The film’s score was composed by Christopher Young, and the soundtrack featured several popular songs from artists such as Paul Oakenfold and Rob Zombie.
Swordfish was a commercial success, grossing over $147 million worldwide on a budget of $102 million. Despite mixed reviews from critics, the film has gained a cult following for its fast-paced action, stylish visuals, and memorable performances by the cast.
Reviews
Swordfish received mixed reviews from critics upon its release in 2001. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a rating of 25% based on 164 reviews, with an average rating of 4.5/10. The site’s consensus reads, “Swordfish is big on explosions, but critics dislike how it skimps on plot and logic.”
Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film two out of four stars, calling it “an example of the kind of movie where a lot of flashy style and expensive production values are deployed in the service of a plot that doesn’t make much sense.” However, Ebert did praise the performances of John Travolta and Hugh Jackman.
In contrast, some critics praised the film’s action sequences and stylish visuals. Todd McCarthy of Variety called the film “slick, high-energy entertainment” and praised the performances of the cast.
Despite the mixed reviews, Swordfish has gained a cult following among fans of the action thriller genre. The film’s explosive action sequences, stylish visuals, and memorable performances by the cast have helped it to become a popular choice for fans of the genre.
Where are they now?
Here is an update on where some of the key cast members of Swordfish are now:
- John Travolta: Travolta has continued to act in films and television, with notable roles in movies like Hairspray, Bolt, and Gotti. He has also been active in the aviation industry and is a licensed pilot.
- Hugh Jackman: Jackman has become one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, with roles in blockbuster movies like the X-Men franchise, Les Misérables, and The Greatest Showman. He has also appeared on Broadway and is a Tony Award winner.
- Halle Berry: Berry has continued to act in movies and television, with notable roles in the X-Men franchise, the John Wick series, and the television series Extant. She also served as a producer on the movie Bruised, which premiered at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival.
- Don Cheadle: Cheadle has continued to act in movies and television, with notable roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as War Machine and in the television series House of Lies. He is also a producer and director, with credits including the movie Miles Ahead and the television series Black Monday.
- Vinnie Jones: Jones has continued to act in movies and television, with notable roles in movies like Snatch, X-Men: The Last Stand, and the television series Arrow. He has also worked as a professional soccer player and coach.
- Sam Shepard: Shepard passed away in 2017 at the age of 73. He was a prolific playwright, screenwriter, and actor, with notable roles in movies like The Right Stuff, Black Hawk Down, and August: Osage County.
- Halle Berry’s performance in Swordfish, which included a controversial topless scene, has been a topic of discussion in recent years. Berry has spoken about the scene and her feelings about it, saying that it was a difficult decision to make but that she ultimately felt it was necessary for the film.
Fun facts
Here are some fun facts about Swordfish:
- The film’s opening heist scene, which features a bus being lifted into the air by a helicopter, was inspired by a real-life heist that took place in the 1990s.
- The film’s famous topless scene featuring Halle Berry was added to the script at the last minute, and Berry was reportedly paid an additional $500,000 for the scene.
- John Travolta’s character was originally written as a younger man, but the filmmakers decided to cast Travolta after he expressed interest in the role.
- Hugh Jackman had to undergo a physical transformation for the role of Stanley Jobson, losing 20 pounds and shaving his head.
- The film’s original ending, which involved a terrorist attack on New York City, was changed after the September 11 attacks.
- The film’s title, “Swordfish,” refers to a type of fish that is known for its ability to swim at high speeds.
- The film’s score features a remix of the classic Deep Purple song “Hush,” which was performed by the film’s composer, Christopher Young.
- The film’s DVD release included a bonus feature called “Hack Attack,” which allowed viewers to play a game in which they had to hack into a virtual computer system.
- The film was banned in several countries due to its violence and sexual content.
- In the film, Hugh Jackman’s character Stanley Jobson is shown playing a video game called “Unreal Tournament.” The game’s developers, Epic Games, created a special version of the game for the film.
Box office
Swordfish was a commercial success, grossing over $147 million worldwide on a budget of $102 million. In the United States and Canada, the film earned $69.8 million, while it made $77.4 million in other territories.
The film opened at number two at the North American box office behind the animated film Shrek. It grossed $18.1 million in its opening weekend, and remained in the top ten for several weeks.
Despite mixed reviews from critics, the film’s strong box office performance helped it to become a financial success. It also became a popular choice for home video and DVD rentals, and has since gained a cult following among fans of the action thriller genre.
