Playing God (1997)
A fallen surgeon trades the operating table for the criminal underworld in this gritty 1997 crime thriller.
Playing God - Movie Information
- Original Title: Playing God
- Release Year: 1997
- Directed by: Andy Wilson
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Action, Thriller, Crime
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 34m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, French, Russian
- Release Date (Theatrical): October 17, 1997 (United States - R), July 8, 1998 (Germany - 16), July 8, 1998 (France - 12)
- Alternative Titles: Playing Hero (EG), Playing God - Ruf aus der Hölle (DE), 不法執刀 (JP), Udając Boga (PL), Playing God : Au Service du Mal (FR)
- Production Companies: Touchstone Pictures, Beacon Pictures
- Production Countries: United States of America
Playing God - Plot
Stripped of his medical license after performing an operation while high on amphetamines, famed LA surgeon Dr Eugene Sands abandons his former life only to find himself crossing paths with Raymond Blossom, an infamous counterfeiter. Employed as a “gun-shot doctor” when Raymond’s associates cannot risk visiting a hospital, Eugene is lured deep into the criminal world and becomes entangled with his boss’s girlfriend.
Playing God - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see where Eugene’s dangerous new world begins:
Joining this deadly underworld was easy. But getting out... deadly!
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Playing God - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Andy Wilson
Main Cast
- David Duchovny
- Timothy Hutton
- Angelina Jolie
- Michael Massee
- Stacey Travis
- Bob Jennings
- Peter Stormare
- John Hawkes
- Tracey Walter
- Andrew Tiernan
Writers
- Mark Haskell Smith
Producers
- Marc Abraham
- Laura Bickford
Playing God - FAQs
Who are the main actors in Playing God?
Playing God features David Duchovny as disgraced surgeon Dr. Eugene Sands, Timothy Hutton as the menacing counterfeiter Raymond Blossom, and a young Angelina Jolie as Claire, the boss’s girlfriend caught in the middle. The supporting cast includes Peter Stormare, John Hawkes, and Michael Massee.
What is Playing God about?
Playing God follows Dr. Eugene Sands, a brilliant surgeon who loses his medical license after operating while on amphetamines. Adrift and desperate, he stumbles into the orbit of Raymond Blossom, a ruthless counterfeiter who employs him as an off-the-books doctor — pulling him deeper into a dangerous criminal world.
Was Playing God a box office success?
Playing God struggled at the box office, earning just over $4.1 million against a $12 million production budget. It was considered a commercial disappointment upon its October 1997 release, though it has since attracted attention largely due to Angelina Jolie’s early career presence in the film.
Where can you stream or watch Playing God?
You can watch Playing God through several digital platforms. It’s available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. If you prefer a free option, Hoopla also carries the film at no cost with a library membership.
What is the age rating for Playing God?
Playing God is rated R in the United States, meaning it’s intended for audiences aged 17 and older. The rating reflects the film’s mature content, including violence, drug use, and adult themes tied to its crime thriller storyline. Parental guidance is strongly advised for younger viewers.
Is Playing God based on a true story?
No, Playing God is not based on a true story. It’s an original screenplay written by Mark Haskell Smith. The film is a fictional crime thriller set in Los Angeles, exploring themes of addiction, moral compromise, and the seductive pull of the criminal underworld on a man with nothing left to lose.
How long is Playing God?
Playing God has a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes (94 minutes). It’s a fairly lean, fast-paced crime thriller that doesn’t overstay its welcome, keeping the tension tight as Dr. Eugene Sands spirals deeper into Raymond Blossom’s dangerous world throughout the film.
What are some movies similar to Playing God?
If you enjoyed Playing God, you might also like Face/Off (1997) and Pulp Fiction (1994) for their stylish crime energy, or Trainspotting (1996) for its gritty drug-fueled descent. Body Brokers (2021) and From Hell (2001) also share thematic ground around crime, moral corruption, and dangerous underworlds.
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