The Interview

The Interview

Year: 1998

Runtime: 104 mins

Language: English

Director: Craig Monahan

DramaCrimeMystery

Two minds… one truth A duel between a suspected murderer and a detective pressed by people who want results. But whose skin is really wanted?

The Interview (1998) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at The Interview (1998) 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 a stark, rain‑slick city where the line between duty and desperation blurs, a tense duel unfolds between a man suspected of the unthinkable and the officer tasked with extracting the truth. The film opens on a cramped police station that feels more like a pressure cooker than a place of justice, hinting at the moral compromises that lurk behind every badge. The atmosphere is thick with suspicion, the walls echoing with the unspoken question: who will shape the narrative, and whose skin will ultimately be wanted?

Edward Rodney Fleming drifts through the story as a solitary figure haunted by recent loss. Recently unemployed and grieving, he lives a reclusive life that makes him both a prime target for scrutiny and an enigmatic enigma. His quiet demeanor masks a mind that is constantly analyzing, calculating, and, perhaps, holding secrets that could shift the balance of power in the room. The film places him in a setting that forces him to confront an interrogation that feels more like a psychological chess match than a straightforward police interview.

John Steele, the seasoned detective sergeant, carries the weight of expectations from superiors and a relentless public demanding results. His partner, Wayne Prior, is an eager subordinate whose aggression and loyalty clash, creating a volatile dynamic that fuels the tension. Overseeing them, Det. Insp. Jackson represents the bureaucratic eye that watches for procedural missteps, while whispers of an intrusive reporter add another layer of pressure. The interplay among these characters is a study in power—how authority can be wielded, strained, and sometimes turned against itself.

The tone is gritty and claustrophobic, driven by sharp dialogue and lingering glances that suggest more lies beneath the surface than the room can contain. As each character navigates the thin line between truth and performance, the audience is left to wonder which voice will dominate the story and what price will be paid for the answers that remain just out of reach.

Last Updated: October 27, 2025 at 16:34

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Explore Movie Threads

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.

Claustrophobic psychological duels like in The Interview

Two characters locked in a high-stakes battle of wits and wills.If you liked the tense, confined battle of wits in The Interview, explore movies like it. These films focus on high-stakes psychological confrontations, often set in single locations, where the truth is elusive and the power dynamic constantly shifts.

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Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread revolve around a direct, intellectual confrontation. The plot is driven by dialogue, revelation, and psychological manipulation rather than physical action. The story unfolds in a tight space, creating a pressure cooker atmosphere where one character's gain is the other's loss.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on a contained, cerebral conflict. They deliver a similar experience of high tension, moral ambiguity, and a feeling of being trapped in a room with two minds warring for dominance.

Bleak justice system thrillers similar to The Interview

Grim crime stories where the system is as corrupt as the crime.For viewers who appreciated The Interview's grim portrayal of a corrupt justice system. These movies explore similar themes of police brutality, psychological manipulation, and the ambiguous line between detective and criminal in dark, suspenseful crime stories.

grimcynicalunsettlingcorruptionpolice brutalitymoral ambiguityoppressive

Narrative Summary

These narratives often follow a flawed investigator navigating a corrupt institution. The quest for justice becomes morally compromised, leading to an ambiguous or bleak conclusion that questions the very foundations of law and order. The villain may be within the system itself.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their heavy, grim atmosphere and their thematic focus on the failures and corrupting nature of the justice system. They share a tone of cynicism, feature unsettling violence, and leave the audience with a sense of unresolved moral unease.

Unlock the Full Story of The Interview

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Interview 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 The Interview is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Interview Summary

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The Interview Summary

The Interview Timeline

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The Interview Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Interview

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Interview. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Interview

More About The Interview

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