Face/Off Review (1997) — 81% Celluloid Score
Directed by John Woo · 1997 ·
Is Face/Off worth watching?
Yes. Face/Off (1997) earns an 81% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Critics (93%) were notably more enthusiastic than audiences (82%). See the 4 inputs.
4-input transparent breakdown
Also known as फेस/आफ Contracara Cara a cara Volte/Face Im Körper des Feindes A Outra Face フェイス／オフ 페이스 오프
Theatrical release Where to watch
- AMC+
Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home, Spectrum On Demand
Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home
Where to watch Face/Off by country
| Country | Streaming on |
|---|---|
| Indonesia | Disney+ |
| Japan | Prime Video, Disney+ |
| Malaysia | Disney+ |
| South Korea | Disney+ |
| Thailand | Disney+ |
| Turkey | Disney+ |
| United Kingdom | Disney+ |
| United States | AMC+ |
Subscription availability, refreshed from TMDB. Rental and purchase options may differ.
Why this score?
- Celluloid's editorial rating is exceptional (93/100).
- General viewers mostly liked it (82%).
- Metascore signals universal acclaim (82/100).
- Celluloid Score 81% combines 4 rating inputs; audience sentiment is shown separately. Consult the source notes for verification dates where recorded.
Best for
- Viewers who want a well-regarded action, crime, sci-fi pick
- Critics' darlings — stronger with reviewers than general viewers
Not ideal for
Scores reflect data indexed at build time. Component sources are shown on this page; Celluloid Score is our composite, not a third-party trademark. Scoring policy
Streaming availability, artwork and title metadata courtesy of TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.
Is Face/Off worth watching?
Yes — Face/Off earns an 81% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. It suits viewers who want a well-regarded action, crime, sci-fi pick. Read our full review (3.5/5).
Celluloid verdict
John Woo’s identity-swap thriller hands Cage and Travolta each other’s performances and lets both go enormous — the high-water mark of 1990s Hollywood excess.
Kaiser Khan, Founder & Editor
Critics (93%) were notably more enthusiastic than audiences (82%).
What is Face/Off about?
In order to foil a terrorist plot, an FBI agent undergoes facial transplant surgery and assumes the identity of a criminal mastermind. The plan turns sour when the criminal wakes up prematurely and seeks revenge.
Watch the Trailer
Critic Reviews
Face/Off (1997) Review: Two Stars, Swapped and Unleashed
★★★½☆
Face/Off is John Woo's gloriously absurd 1997 action thriller in which John Travolta and Nicolas Cage swap faces. Operatic, overlong and hugely entertaining.
Yes, with reservations. It is a blast for fans of big 1990s action and gonzo star turns, as long as you can accept preposterous science and a bloated running time.
Face/Off stills
Official production imagery supplied through TMDB, kept with the movie instead of split into a thin gallery page.
Images courtesy of TMDB. TMDB does not endorse or certify Celluloid.
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Face/Off: frequently asked questions
Is Face/Off worth watching?
Yes. Face/Off (1997) has a Celluloid Score of 81%, averaged from the available Celluloid editorial, Metascore, Letterboxd and IMDb ratings. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Audience sentiment is shown separately and does not change the score.
Where can I watch Face/Off?
In the United States, Face/Off streams on AMC+ with a subscription, and you can rent it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube. Elsewhere: Disney+ in Indonesia; Prime Video, Disney+ in Japan; Disney+ in Malaysia; Disney+ in South Korea. Availability changes; the where-to-watch table on this page is refreshed from TMDB.
How long is Face/Off?
Face/Off runs 2 hours 19 minutes (139 minutes).
What is Face/Off rated?
Face/Off is rated R in the United States, 18 in the UK, MA 15+ in Australia, R in Canada and 19 in South Korea. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.
Who stars in Face/Off?
Face/Off is directed by John Woo and stars Nicolas Cage, John Travolta, Joan Allen, Alessandro Nivola, Gina Gershon.
What is the Metascore for Face/Off?
Metacritic's Metascore for Face/Off is 82 out of 100. It is one of the inputs to the Celluloid Score.
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