The Net | Rotten Tomatoes

The Net

PG-13

1995

1h 52m

Mystery & Thriller

List

43%

Tomatometer

58 Reviews

44%

Audience Score

100,000+ Ratings

Computer programmer Angela Bennett (Sandra Bullock) starts a new freelance gig and, strangely, all her colleagues start dying. Does it have something to do with the mysterious disc she was given? Her suspicions are raised when, during a trip to Mexico, she's seduced by a handsome stranger (Jeremy Northam) intent on locating the same disc. Soon Angela is tangled up in a far-reaching conspiracy that leads to her identity being erased. Can she stop the same thing from happening to her life?

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Critics Consensus

The premise isn't without potential and Sandra Bullock is as likable as ever, but The Net lacks sufficient thrills -- or plausible plot points -- to recommend catching.

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Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

The storyline is so convoluted that even the likable Bullock wears out her welcome at the keyboard.

Rated: 2/4

Mar 29, 2024

Full Review

Tom Ryan

The Age (Australia)

While there's suspense aplenty as she pits her computer skills and some old-fashioned ingenuity against the villains, Irwin Winkler's thriller is at best perfunctory in its treatment of character.

Rated: 1/3

Mar 17, 2021

Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

A thriller without thrills.

Jan 14, 2011

Full Review

Todd James

Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Alberta)

Despite a vigorous performance from the likeable Bullock, you'll feel like hitting the escape button on The Net in a big hurry.

Rated: 1/5

Mar 29, 2024

Full Review

Kevin Carr

Fat Guys at the Movies

A romp through mid-90s computer paranoia and identity theft seen through the eyes of the overblown Hollywood thriller.

Rated: 2.5/4

Feb 3, 2024

Full Review

Joe Lipsett

Anatomy of a Scream Podcast Network

Both prescient and utterly ridiculous, this technothriller is a perfect vehicle for Bullock. Bonus points for fitting in both a water AND a carnival set piece, thereby cementing its status as an iconic 90s title

Rated: 4/5

Jan 16, 2023

Full Review

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Lucas t

Really over convoluted plot, wooden acting, and porely done editing. I don't see how this is an action film it doesn't really deliver much action wise, its more of a generic 90s thriller. 6.1/10

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

06/03/24

Full Review

Victor P

A strong suspense thriller and a powerful performance by Sandra Bullock.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/23/24

Full Review

Justin T

This film can only be described as a product of its time. This is one of the most nineties films ever. The made-up computer science, the cast, the cinematography, the sound design, the music etc is all so nineties. This is highly flawed but it is entertaining! It's hard not to compare it to Speed (1994) because of Sandra Bullock but the action and script are vastly inferior. The issues stem so much from the time it was made, the action is not well choreographed or shot. The effects are basic and unconvincing. The pace is slow. The dialogue is pretty awful. It feels like it really wants to be The Fugitive (1993) but fails on every level. It probably has more in common with Beverly Hills Cop (1984) but without the ‘comedy'. Overall it is worth watching for those that enjoy taking themselves back to the past.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

12/08/23

Full Review

Crazy person O

I love and have always loved The Net. Sandra Bullock is awesome, the anxiety of watching this always gets me, great film!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/13/23

Full Review

Connor A

This film is terrible. Sandra Bullock is really pretty but that doesn't save her from a bland performance. The rest of the lackluster cast is bad aswell, everyone speaks in the same monotone voice. The plot is boring and confusing, I couldn't finish it. Give this one a skip.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

05/18/23

Full Review

Jan P

Many years ago I was at event where no one was talking about movies when abruptly everyone admitted how much they loved this The Net. One person knew the reason why: The main character gets herself out of the mess without aid from a man. If you have never seen Hitchcock's Notorious (1946), watch it and then this one and note all the plot and visual allusions to that excellent earlier film... and how Ingrid Bergman is carried to safety by Cary Grant.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/17/23

Full Review

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Irwin Winkler

Director

Sandra Bullock

Angela Bennett

Jeremy Northam

Jack Devlin

Dennis Miller

Dr. Alan Champion

Diane Baker

Mrs. Bennett

Wendy Gazelle

Ruth Marx

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The Net: Official Clip - Virus

2:57

The Net: Official Clip - I Am Angela Bennett

3:02

The Net: Official Clip - It's Finally Over

2:58

The Net: Official Clip - From One Nightmare to the Next

2:59

The Net: Official Clip - Captain America

2:53

The Net: Official Clip - Mozart's Ghost

2:33

The Net: Official Clip - Bob Couldn't Make It

2:29

The Net: Official Clip - An Unsuccessful Getaway

2:57

The Net: Official Clip - Staged Robbery

2:29

The Net: Official Clip - One Of Us

1:45

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Synopsis

Computer programmer Angela Bennett (Sandra Bullock) starts a new freelance gig and, strangely, all her colleagues start dying. Does it have something to do with the mysterious disc she was given? Her suspicions are raised when, during a trip to Mexico, she's seduced by a handsome stranger (Jeremy Northam) intent on locating the same disc. Soon Angela is tangled up in a far-reaching conspiracy that leads to her identity being erased. Can she stop the same thing from happening to her life?

Director: Irwin Winkler
Producer: Irwin Winkler, Rob Cowan
Screenwriter: John D. Brancato, Michael Ferris
Production Co: Columbia Pictures Corporation, Winkler Films
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 26, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $49.4M
Runtime: 1h 52m
Sound Mix: Surround

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