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Drama thriller

The Trigger Effect (1996): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

The Trigger Effect (1996) movie poster

The Trigger Effect is a 1996 drama thriller directed by David Koepp, starring Dermot Mulroney, Kyle MacLachlan and Michael Rooker. It runs 1 hour 34 minutes and earned $3.6 million worldwide. Critics gave it 66 on Metacritic. Rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

worldwide gross
$3.6M
Metascore
66
The Trigger Effect (1996) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 34m (94 min)
Director
David Koepp
Genres
Drama , Thriller
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Trigger Effect About?

The premise of The Trigger Effect without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

When a sudden blackout throws the nation into turmoil, Matthew and Annie struggle to protect their sick child. Driven to desperate measures, they turn to theft, initiating a perilous journey that challenges their values. As they travel to Annie's parents, seeking safety and assistance, they confront increasingly difficult choices and witness the fragility of societal order and the depths of human behavior under extreme pressure.

The Trigger Effect Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • nudity
  • female nudity
  • love triangle
  • power outage
  • unfaithfulness
  • extramarital affair
  • cheating wife
  • adultery
  • nursery rhyme
  • raccoon
  • fox
  • wolf
+38 more
  • dog
  • shotgun
  • pump action shotgun
  • revolver
  • pistol
  • rifle
  • neighborhood
  • security guard
  • neighborhood watch
  • fear
  • paranoia
  • danger
  • panic
  • suspense
  • suspicion
  • false accusation
  • scene during opening credits
  • written by director
  • chase
  • 1990s
  • diner
  • bar
  • shopping mall
  • movie theater
  • long take
  • suburbia
  • husband wife relationship
  • baby
  • fever
  • foot chase
  • looking at oneself in a mirror
  • telephone
  • kitchen
  • supermarket
  • pharmacy
  • medicine
  • theft
  • attempted robbery
Where to watch

Where to Watch The Trigger Effect

Rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

The Trigger Effect Cast

Dermot Mulroney leads the cast, with Kyle MacLachlan and Michael Rooker. Directed by David Koepp; 10 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

The Trigger Effect Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Trigger Effect 66 on Metacritic.

Plot

The Trigger Effect Plot Summary

What happens in The Trigger Effect from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Annie and Matthew, a young married couple, are thrown into a nightmare when they discover their infant daughter suffering from a high fever and an earache. In a desperate attempt to get help, Matthew contacts the doctor, who assures him that a prescription will be called into the pharmacist the next day. However, during the night, a massive power outage sweeps through the neighborhood, leaving everyone in disarray.

Full summary

The whole story of The Trigger Effect, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Trigger Effect Box Office

The Trigger Effect grossed $3.6 million worldwide.

1996 box office

Worldwide gross

$3.6M

US & Canada
$3.6M
Videos

The Trigger Effect Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Trigger Effect.

The Trigger Effect Trailer 1996
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Trigger Effect?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What was Matthew trying to obtain when the power outage occurred?

Cars

Cars in The Trigger Effect

23 cars on screen, including the 1995 Volvo 960 and the 1993 Cadillac Sedan DeVille.

All 23 cars
  • 1995 Volvo 960 in The Trigger Effect 1995 Volvo 960 Main role
  • 1993 Cadillac Sedan DeVille in The Trigger Effect 1993 Cadillac Sedan DeVille Important role
  • 1994 Jeep Cherokee in The Trigger Effect 1994 Jeep Cherokee Important role
  • 1992 Ford Crown Victoria in The Trigger Effect 1992 Ford Crown Victoria Minor role
Details

The Trigger Effect Also Known As

18 alternative titles, including “Trigger Effect - Eine Stadt im Ausnahmezustand” and “Το Τράβηγμα της Σκανδάλης”.

Also known as
  • Trigger Effect - Eine Stadt im Ausnahmezustand
  • Το Τράβηγμα της Σκανδάλης
  • Effetto Black Out
  • El efecto dominó
  • Der große Stromausfall - Eine Stadt im Ausnahmezustand
  • Réactions en chaîne
  • Elektrosokk
  • O Efeito Dominó
  • Ефектът на спусъка
  • Effetto Blackout
  • När mörkret faller
  • Эффект спускового курка
+6 more
  • Zpětná reakce
  • Mroczne miasto
  • Kaikki yhteydet poikki
  • 트리거 이펙트
  • נפילת מתח
  • Ефект спускового гачка

Seen The Trigger Effect?

FAQ

The Trigger Effect FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Trigger Effect, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Trigger Effect?

The Trigger Effect runs 1 hour 34 minutes (94 minutes).

When was The Trigger Effect released?

The Trigger Effect was released on August 30, 1996.

Who directed The Trigger Effect?

The Trigger Effect was directed by David Koepp.

More films by David Koepp

Who is in the cast of The Trigger Effect?

The Trigger Effect stars Dermot Mulroney, Kyle MacLachlan and Michael Rooker, among 10 credited actors.

Where can I watch The Trigger Effect?

In the US, The Trigger Effect is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How much did The Trigger Effect make at the box office?

The Trigger Effect grossed $3.6 million worldwide.

How is The Trigger Effect rated?

The Trigger Effect has 66 on Metacritic and 58% on TMDB.

Does The Trigger Effect have a post-credit scene?

No. The Trigger Effect has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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