Enemy of the State

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Enemy of the State

R

1998

2h 7m

Mystery & Thriller

Action

Adventure

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

71%

Tomatometer

82 Reviews

78%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Corrupt National Security Agency official Thomas Reynolds (Jon Voight) has a congressman assassinated to assure the passage of expansive new surveillance legislation. When a videotape of the murder ends up in the hands of Robert Clayton Dean (Will Smith), a labor lawyer and dedicated family man, he is framed for murder. With the help of ex-intelligence agent Edward "Brill" Lyle (Gene Hackman), Dean attempts to throw Reynolds off his trail and prove his innocence.

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Critics Consensus

An entertaining, topical thriller that finds director Tony Scott on solid form and Will Smith confirming his action headliner status.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Dec 24, 2010

3/5

Decent thriller; not suitable for kids.

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Lisa Alspector

Chicago Reader

Mar 30, 2009

[Its] spirited action is balanced by an almost contemplative attitude toward surveillance phobias and the movie cliches they've spawned.

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Time Out

Jan 26, 2006

Add Smith's lippy innocent and a host of subcontracted indie fresh faces, and you have the Bruckheimer formula: loud, lavish, seemingly efficient; over-large, over-long, over-plotted. Safe and sorry.

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Aug 19, 2023

It’s a shame to see a film about the intelligence community executed with so little intelligence but it’s a fun ride.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Sep 11, 2020

7/10

Far ahead of its time in educating society on its rapidly diminishing freedoms from governmental scrutiny, the screenplay favorably manages not to forget to entertain.

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Michael Gaither

Santa Cruz Sentinel

Mar 25, 2020

B+

Scott creates suspense by utilizing believable technology and realistic, well-grounded characters.

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Frans B

@FransB Sep 8, 2026

Brilliant. Intricately written with great storytelling, albeit a familiar premise. Very good cinematography adds to the suitable ambiance. Stellar cast all excel in character, Will Smith in particular. Lots of fast paced action, suspense, thrills, twists, emotion, intrigue and drama. Entertaining and captivating

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bruce F

@bruce999 Aug 4, 2026

nicely crafted movie, with lots of suspense, all the way through. enjoyable.

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Jason R

@J-Rush1411 Jun 25, 2026

Probably Will Smith at his best acting wise, quite the storyline

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AJ L

@aj9843 Jun 9, 2026

Gunfight scene at the end was straight comedy. Completely didn't match the tone of the rest of the film lol

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Mark B

@Thelaser555 May 19, 2026

Will Smith is in his element as he fills the screen with an electrifying performance as the hunted working man lawyer in this fast paced thriller. Didn't see the need for Hackman's overbearing character in this movie. It was all going along very nicely with the excellent Jon Voigt who plays the corrupt agency official Thomas Reynolds until Hackman shows up. Two's company and three's a crowd in this one. Still, it all turned out as it should have done with Smith's gritty determination to survive climaxing this great flick.

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Kirsten W

@kirght Feb 17, 2026

Great fun from beginning to end. Moving performances.

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Tony Scott

Director

Will Smith

Robert Clayton Dean

Gene Hackman

Edward 'Brill' Lyle

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Thomas Brian Reynolds

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Enemy of the State: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Corrupt National Security Agency official Thomas Reynolds (Jon Voight) has a congressman assassinated to assure the passage of expansive new surveillance legislation. When a videotape of the murder ends up in the hands of Robert Clayton Dean (Will Smith), a labor lawyer and dedicated family man, he is framed for murder. With the help of ex-intelligence agent Edward "Brill" Lyle (Gene Hackman), Dean attempts to throw Reynolds off his trail and prove his innocence.

Director: Tony Scott
Producer: Jerry Bruckheimer
Screenwriter: David Marconi
Distributor: Buena Vista International [us], Touchstone Home Video, Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co: Touchstone Pictures, Jerry Bruckheimer Films
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Action, Adventure, Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 20, 1998, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 4, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $111.5M
Runtime: 2h 7m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS, Surround

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