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Code 46

Play trailer Poster for Code 46 R 2003 1h 32m Sci-Fi Romance Mystery & Thriller Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
52% Tomatometer 102 Reviews 58% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
In a dystopian future, insurance fraud investigator William Geld (Tim Robbins) arrives in Shanghai to investigate a forgery ring for "papelles," futuristic passports that record people's identities and genetics. Geld falls for Maria Gonzalez (Samantha Morton), the woman in charge of the forgeries. After a passionate affair, Geld returns home, having named a coworker as the culprit. But when one of Gonzalez's customers is found dead, Geld is sent back to Shanghai to complete the investigation.
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Code 46

Code 46

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Critics Consensus

Code 46 crafts an intriguing hypothetical future and populates it with characters who never engage, producing a slick sci-fi package without any humanity to power it.

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Critics Reviews

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Nell Minow Common Sense Media Dec 22, 2010
2/5
Disappointing sci-fi that's too intense for kids. Go to Full Review Nick Schager Lessons of Darkness May 3, 2005
C+
A luxurious sight to behold. Go to Full Review Jay Boyar Orlando Sentinel Oct 8, 2004
2/5
Amid the white walls and slick surfaces of this film, the characters seem more like lab rats than human beings. Go to Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand Mar 8, 2024
It’s less science fiction that speculative social commentary.... You don’t have to dig deep to find echoes of Gattaca, 1984, and Brave New World sounding through the dispassionate study in alienation, social regimentation, and economic disparity. Go to Full Review Leigh Paatsch Herald Sun (Australia) Jul 15, 2020
3/5
High on atmosphere and big on ideas, but quietly goes about its business otherwise. Go to Full Review James Kendrick Q Network Film Desk Feb 16, 2016
2/4
a visually striking, but emotionally flat mash-up of romantic drama, film noir, and science fiction that sounds much more interesting than it turns out to be Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Brian H. @RT72738291 May 24, 2026 I’m a sucker for sci-fi, even so-so sci-fi, but this is a very good movie. Different from many of the dystopian future movies so popular these days, the story is very interesting, and tinged with hints of class conflicts, with the haves living in comparative modern civilaztion, and the have-nots living in wastelands. The acting by both Tim Robbie and Samantha Morton is understated, and Morton is as magical as ever. See more kathleen d @KH-SF Dec 31, 2025 Moved very slow. Flimsy story. Too many things unexplained. The casting was very odd. Acting was flat and the chemistry between Robbins and Morton was nonexistent. It was particularly painful to watch the love scenes where Robbins looked like he wished he was anywhere else. With barely a conversation or two between them, Tim Robbins is in love with her? Willing to put his family and job on the line? Seriously? Overall, really disappointing. Not a good day for Tim Robbins who I normally really like in movies. Do NOT recommend this movie. See more Mark B @Astromark Dec 26, 2025 A film that provokes a lot of questions. Questions like: Why are they doing that? How does this make any sense? Is this really a film about a man who wants to sleep with a clone of his mother so much that he gives up on his job and family? See more thiago s @Thiagostone Sep 4, 2025 Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom See more Felipe M @RT00745986 Feb 13, 2025 Underrated film, beautiful music score and coldplay's warning signs at the end wraps the movie in a special blanket for you to take with you. See more Andrew L @RT41399590 Jan 23, 2025 A really underrated film in my view. Great cast, epic soundtrack. Sure, it’s a noir, dystopian film, but a good one. Worth a watch See more Read all reviews
Code 46

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Michael Winterbottom

Director

Tim Robbins

William Geld

Samantha Morton

Maria Gonzalez

Jeanne Balibar

Sylvie

Om Puri

Bahkland

Essie Davis

Doctor

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Code 46

Code 46 (2003) Code 46 (2003) SAMANTHA MORTON stars as Maria in United Artists' CODE 46. William (TIM ROBBINS) and Maria (SAMANTHA MORTON) in United Artists' CODE 46. TIM ROBBINS stars as William in United Artists' CODE 46. A scene from "Code 46." A scene from "Code 46." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In a dystopian future, insurance fraud investigator William Geld (Tim Robbins) arrives in Shanghai to investigate a forgery ring for "papelles," futuristic passports that record people's identities and genetics. Geld falls for Maria Gonzalez (Samantha Morton), the woman in charge of the forgeries. After a passionate affair, Geld returns home, having named a coworker as the culprit. But when one of Gonzalez's customers is found dead, Geld is sent back to Shanghai to complete the investigation.
Director
Michael Winterbottom
Producer
Andrew Eaton
Screenwriter
Frank Cottrell Boyce
Distributor
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co
BBC, Revolution Films
Rating
R (Scene of Sexuality|Brief Graphic Nudity)
Genre
Sci-Fi, Romance, Mystery & Thriller, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 2, 2003, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 16, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA)
$197.1K
Runtime
1h 32m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby Digital
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