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DramaYear1996Duration1h 34mIMDb5.7

The Trigger Effect

DramaThriller

A blackout leaves those affected to consider what is necessary, what is legal, and what is questionable, in order to survive in a predatory environment.

Trailer

Cast

David Koepp

Director

Kyle MacLachlan

Matthew

Elisabeth Shue

Annie Kay

Dermot Mulroney

Joe

Richard T. Jones

Raymond

Bill Smitrovich

Steph

Michael Rooker

Gary

TK

Tori Kristiansen

Sarah

TK

Tyra Kristiansen

Sarah

Rick Worthy

Johnny

EB

Edhem Barker

Trendy German Guy

Tyrone Tann

Tripping Guy

David O'Donnell

Hand Holding Guy

MT

Monica Torres

Hand Holding Girl

Greg Grunberg

Double Date Guy

KV

Kerri Vickers

Double Date Girl

CA

Christina Alvarado

Counter Girl #1

VF

Victoria Fleming

Counter Girl #2

Molly Morgan

Babysitter

James Burke

Writer

David Koepp

Writer

Comments

10 Comments

Naomi Mâture KankouMar 21, 2026

Salah SalarexJun 14, 2025

There are few things I hate more than being beaten over the head with the message a movie is trying to get across. The creators obviously became so wrapped up in conveying an interesting theme that they forgot about the importance of the other aspects of a good movie (character development, action, a PLOT)...This had potential- good actors, rising tension (in the beginning) and an interesting situation to be delt with. However, it soon became a downward spiral of events that were unbelievable and unoriginal. It became downright silly. The ending was so contrived it made me laugh. Even the acting didn't save this- I didn't care about these characters or what happened to them. This one will be *remembered?* as a movie that had potential but was unable to deliver.

@Mrs A #30092017May 29, 2023

source: The Trigger Effect

N Tè BøNov 18, 2022

Stunts_vinesNov 16, 2022

The Trigger Effect

Bb RuthNov 16, 2022

As many people have said, "The Trigger Effect" is one of those movies that has a good concept, but isn't executed very well. The truth is, it actually gets kind of creepy. I know, if there was a massive power outage, maybe this could happen, but that doesn't make the movie any more interesting. If we're just going to obsess on the idea that everyone wants to kill each other, we're not doing very much for our society (remember what Michael Moore showed in "Bowling for Columbine"). I mean really. So, there are much better movies than this (including the "Twilight Zone" episode that this movie ripped off). Kyle MacLachlan, Elisabeth Shue, Dermot Mulroney and Michael Rooker should be at least mildly ashamed of themselves.

Courtnaé PaulNov 16, 2022

I love Elizabeth Shue. Once I saw her on the cover of the video box, I had to get this film. But my wife said that if I ever rent such a "senseless, pointless, useless waste of two hours" again, I'll have to find a new wife to watch it with.

verona_stalciaNov 16, 2022

The first time I saw it I couldn't make it awake till the end. It's so slow paced for its theme. The whole movie could've lasted 40 minutes if it moved at a regular pace. That aside the story was not bad but very badly developed. I'm so sorry I watched twice to see it complete, it actually gets worse at the end. If you don't have anything better to do, see another movie, read a book or take a nap, but don't see this movie.

MontherNov 16, 2022

There are few things I hate more than being beaten over the head with the message a movie is trying to get across. The creators obviously became so wrapped up in conveying an interesting theme that they forgot about the importance of the other aspects of a good movie (character development, action, a PLOT)...This had potential- good actors, rising tension (in the beginning) and an interesting situation to be delt with. However, it soon became a downward spiral of events that were unbelievable and unoriginal. It became downright silly. The ending was so contrived it made me laugh. Even the acting didn't save this- I didn't care about these characters or what happened to them. This one will be *remembered?* as a movie that had potential but was unable to deliver.

Tejas Kumar PatelNov 16, 2022

How tenuous is man's hold on civilization when survival becomes an issue? When the lights go out and stay out for several days, suburbanites Matthew and Annie learn the hard way that man is "by nature" a predatory creature. Before "Stir of Echoes", David Koepp made "The Trigger Effect". Apparently critics liked it, but the film bombed, and is not sitting very high on IMDb. Respectfully, I disagree with the critics. The film was just so blunt. People are rude to each other. I get that. There was such potential in this film but it seems to have just gone the easiest route. Most disappointing is the use of the cast. Kyle MacLachlan is amazing, and he is wasted in this film. I wasn't aware he could play a jerk, but now I know. Michael Rooker is also one of my favorites. And yet, neither one seems to be able to save this mess. I thought great actors could save just about anything, but I would be wrong.

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