Year: 1996
Runtime: 89 mins
Language: English
Director: Jaime Hellman
Tune In For Murder A controversial talk show host becomes involved in the murder of a beautiful woman in a war for ratings.
Get a spoiler-free look at Power 98 (1996) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.
In the cut‑throat world of late‑night radio, a station’s success hinges on the shock value it can deliver to an audience hungry for scandal. The airwaves of Los Angeles pulse with a blend of brassy ambition and restless curiosity, where on‑air personalities are both entertainers and provocateurs, and the race for ratings feels like a high‑stakes game of influence.
Karlin Pickett is a magnetic disc jockey whose fearless flirting and blunt banter have already turned him into a cult figure at his Phoenix home base. After a tumultuous personal episode, he relocates to L.A. and joins the edgy lineup at KOZY, a station owned by the seasoned yet sly Rick Harris. Karlin’s larger‑than‑life presence quickly reshapes the station’s vibe, pushing the limits of what listeners expect from a talk show host.
Jon Price arrives as an eager, up‑and‑coming DJ, drawn into Karlin’s orbit and soon paired as a co‑host. His relationship with Sharon Penn, an ambitious young lawyer, grounds him in a world outside the studio, offering a counterbalance to the seductive allure of the microphone. As the duo’s chemistry sparks, they experiment with daring formats that blur the line between entertainment and confession, inviting callers to voice their deepest secrets on air.
The film swims in a tone that is simultaneously glossy and gritty, bathing its characters in neon‑lit studios and the restless hum of a city that never sleeps. Ambition, ego, and the pursuit of ever‑higher ratings create a palpable tension, hinting at the moral compromises that may be required to stay on top. Within this electric atmosphere, each personality battles personal desire against professional pressure, leaving the audience to wonder how far the quest for fame will push them before the static finally takes over.
Last Updated: October 27, 2025 at 16:40
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Stories where the hunger for fame and ratings destroys moral boundaries.If you liked the media-fueled moral collapse in Power 98, you'll find similar movies here. These are tense, cynical stories about TV hosts, journalists, and public figures whose ambition leads them into a web of deception, crime, and ethical ruin.
These narratives typically follow a protagonist who starts with a drive for success, only to find that the system they operate in (media, politics, etc.) rewards increasingly unethical behavior. The plot often involves a central deception that spirals out of control, blurring the lines between performance and reality, and forcing a confrontation with the consequences of their actions.
Movies in this thread share a dark, cynical tone and a focus on the corrupting influence of power and public perception. They feature morally ambiguous characters, high-stakes manipulation, and a gripping sense of paranoia as personal ambition clashes with ethical decay.
High-stakes chases where the protagonist is trapped in a conspiracy.Fans of the relentless pacing and high tension in Power 98 will enjoy these movies. They are action-packed mysteries where a lone character uncovers a dark secret, leading to a breathless cat-and-mouse game with life-or-death stakes.
The narrative pattern involves a rapid inciting incident that thrusts an ordinary person into extraordinary danger. The plot unfolds at a breakneck speed with a series of escalating revelations and close calls. The protagonist often can't trust anyone as they piece together a puzzle, leading to a final, explosive confrontation.
These films are grouped by their fast pacing, high intensity, and pervasive sense of paranoia. They create a consistently suspenseful and anxious viewing experience, focusing on a character's desperate fight for survival and truth against a shadowy, manipulative adversary.
Don't stop at just watching — explore Power 98 in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Power 98 is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Read a complete plot summary of Power 98, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.
Track the full timeline of Power 98 with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Power 98. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Power 98: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
Discover movies like Power 98 that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
Power 98 (1996) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
Power 98 (1996) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
Power 98 (1996) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow
Movies Like Power 98 – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
The First Power (1990) Full Summary & Key Details
Hostage Radio (2019) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Murder by Phone (1982) Story Summary & Characters
Don’t Answer the Phone! (1980) Story Summary & Characters
Murder in the Big House (1942) Detailed Story Recap
The Power of the Whistler (1945) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Power Play (1978) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Mind Over Murder (1979) Full Summary & Key Details
Danger on the Air (1938) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Murder by Television (1935) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Dead Air (1994) Story Summary & Characters
Crimetime (1996) Movie Recap & Themes
Night Rhythms (1992) Movie Recap & Themes
Profile for Murder (1996) Movie Recap & Themes
Mystery Broadcast (1943) Movie Recap & Themes