Twelve Monkeys (1995)
Terry Gilliam's visionary sci-fi thriller sends a condemned man through time to unravel the origins of a plague that ended civilization.
Twelve Monkeys - Movie Information
- Original Title: Twelve Monkeys
- Release Year: 1995
- Directed by: Terry Gilliam
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Sci-Fi, Thriller, Mystery
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 2h 9m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, French
- Release Date (Theatrical): January 5, 1996 (United States - R), February 8, 2011 (Canada - 13+), April 19, 1996 (United Kingdom - 15), March 21, 1996 (Germany - 16), February 28, 1996 (France - TP), May 10, 1996 (New Zealand - M), March 14, 1996 (Australia - M), March 22, 1996 (Brazil - 14), April 12, 1996 (Mexico - B-15), May 10, 1996 (Italy - T), March 6, 1996 (Spain - 16), April 5, 1996 (South Korea - 15)
- Alternative Titles: 12 obez'yan (RU), L'armée des douze singes (BE), 12 majmuna (RS), Oi Dódeka Píthikoi (GR), Дванадцять мавп (UA), 12 małp (PL), 12 ลิงมฤตยูล้างโลก (TH), 12 maĭmuni (BG)
- Production Companies: Universal Pictures, Atlas Entertainment, Classico, Twelve Monkeys Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America
Twelve Monkeys - Plot
In the year 2035, convict James Cole reluctantly volunteers to be sent back in time to discover the origin of a deadly virus that wiped out nearly all of the earth's population and forced the survivors into underground communities. But when Cole is mistakenly sent to 1990 instead of 1996, he's arrested and locked up in a mental hospital. There he meets psychiatrist Dr. Kathryn Railly and the son of a famous virus expert who may hold the key to the Army of the 12 Monkeys; thought to be responsible for unleashing the killer disease.
Twelve Monkeys - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see Gilliam's haunting vision unfold:
The future is history.
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Twelve Monkeys - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Terry Gilliam
Main Cast
- Bruce Willis
- Madeleine Stowe
- Brad Pitt
- Christopher Plummer
- David Morse
- Jon Seda
- Christopher Meloni
- Joey Perillo
- LisaGay Hamilton
- Matt Ross
Writers
- Janet Peoples
- David Webb Peoples
Producers
- Charles Roven
Twelve Monkeys - FAQs
Is Twelve Monkeys based on a true story?
No, Twelve Monkeys is not based on a true story. It is a work of science fiction inspired by Chris Marker's 1962 French short film La Jetée. The screenplay was written by Janet Peoples and David Webb Peoples, crafting an entirely fictional post-apocalyptic narrative involving time travel and a deadly engineered virus.
Where can you stream Twelve Monkeys?
Twelve Monkeys is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Prime Video with Ads. It can also be rented or purchased through Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. Availability may vary by region.
What does the ending of Twelve Monkeys mean?
The ending reveals that Cole's mission was never to prevent the virus but to identify the man who released it. The circular structure confirms fate is fixed: the boy Cole saw die as a child was himself. The film suggests the future cannot be changed, only understood, making it a meditation on predestination and inevitability.
Who are the main actors in Twelve Monkeys?
Twelve Monkeys stars Bruce Willis as time-traveling convict James Cole, Madeleine Stowe as psychiatrist Dr. Kathryn Railly, and Brad Pitt in a Golden Globe-winning role as the erratic Jeffrey Goines. Christopher Plummer, David Morse, and Christopher Meloni round out the principal cast.
Did Twelve Monkeys win any awards?
Yes. Brad Pitt won the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Jeffrey Goines, and also received an Academy Award nomination for the same role. The film earned widespread critical acclaim and has since been recognized as one of the finest science fiction films of the 1990s.
What is the age rating for Twelve Monkeys?
Twelve Monkeys is rated R in the United States. The rating reflects the film's intense and disturbing themes, including depictions of violence, mental illness, apocalyptic imagery, and strong language. It is intended for mature audiences and is not suitable for younger viewers.
Who directed Twelve Monkeys?
Twelve Monkeys was directed by Terry Gilliam, the visionary filmmaker behind Brazil (1985) and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998). Gilliam brought his signature surrealist, dystopian aesthetic to the film, creating a disorienting and deeply atmospheric world that blurs the line between reality and delusion.
How long is Twelve Monkeys?
Twelve Monkeys has a runtime of 2 hours and 9 minutes (129 minutes). The film uses its running time to build a dense, layered narrative that rewards patient viewers with a carefully constructed time-loop mystery that only fully reveals itself in its final moments.
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