Nick of Time (1995)
A desperate father, a loaded gun, and ninety minutes to decide — John Badham's real-time thriller puts Johnny Depp in an impossible situation.
Nick of Time - Movie Information
- Original Title: Nick of Time
- Release Year: 1995
- Directed by: John Badham
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Thriller, Crime, Action
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 29m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 22, 1995 (United States - R), July 25, 1996 (Germany - 16), June 26, 1996 (France - TP), May 2, 1996 (Australia - M), March 25, 1996 (Spain)
- Alternative Titles: Minutos Contados (PT), Meutre en Suspens (FR), A la hora señalada (ES), В последний момент (RU), Tiempo Límite (AR), Na żywo (PL), I sista sekunden (SE)
- Production Companies: Paramount Pictures
- Production Countries: United States of America
Nick of Time - Plot
An ordinary man is suddenly forced into a plot to kill a politician in exchange for his kidnapped daughter's freedom.
Nick of Time - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and feel the clock ticking from the very first frame:
Ninety minutes. Six bullets. No choice.
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Nick of Time - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- John Badham
Main Cast
- Johnny Depp
- Courtney Chase
- Charles S. Dutton
- Christopher Walken
- Roma Maffia
- Peter Strauss
- Gloria Reuben
- Marsha Mason
- Miguel Nájera
- Bill Smitrovich
Writers
- Patrick Sheane Duncan
Producers
- John Badham
Nick of Time - FAQs
What is Nick of Time about?
Nick of Time follows Gene Watson, an unsuspecting accountant who arrives in Los Angeles only to have his young daughter kidnapped by a pair of cold-blooded operatives. Their demand: assassinate the state governor within 90 minutes or his daughter dies. It's a tense, real-time thriller that never lets up.
Does Nick of Time unfold in real time?
Yes, and that's one of the film's most distinctive qualities. The story plays out in roughly the same 90 minutes it takes to watch it, with clocks and countdown cues keeping the pressure constant. Director John Badham used this real-time conceit to create an almost unbearable sense of urgency throughout.
Where can you stream Nick of Time?
You can stream Nick of Time on Paramount Plus Essential or catch it for free with ads on YouTube Free and Hoopla. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home.
What is Nick of Time's age rating?
Nick of Time is rated R. The rating reflects the film's intense thriller content, including scenes of coercion, violence, and the threat of harm to a child. It's not the most graphic R-rated film out there, but the sustained tension and dark subject matter make it firmly adult viewing.
Who stars alongside Johnny Depp in Nick of Time?
Christopher Walken is the standout opposite Depp, playing the menacing Mr. Smith with his trademark unsettling cool. The cast also includes Charles S. Dutton, Roma Maffia, Marsha Mason as the targeted governor, Gloria Reuben, and Peter Strauss — a strong ensemble anchoring the film's escalating tension.
How did Nick of Time perform at the box office?
Nick of Time struggled commercially, earning around $8.2 million against a $33 million production budget — a significant box office disappointment. Critics were divided on its real-time gimmick, with some praising the concept's ambition and others finding the execution too mechanical to fully deliver on its premise.
Is Nick of Time based on a true story?
No, Nick of Time is an original screenplay written by Patrick Sheane Duncan. While the political assassination plot and Los Angeles setting feel grounded and plausible, the story is entirely fictional. The film's strength lies in its high-concept premise rather than any connection to real events.
What are some movies similar to Nick of Time?
If you enjoy Nick of Time's coercive-thriller setup, check out State of Play (2009) for political intrigue, The Parallax View (1974) for assassination conspiracy, or Awake (2007) for another high-stakes real-time premise. Rush Hour (1998) and The General's Daughter (1999) also share some of that tightly wound action-thriller energy.
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