Six Degrees of Separation

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Six Degrees of Separation

R

1993

1h 51m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

88%

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34 Reviews

71%

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10,000+ Ratings

Privileged art dealers Flan (Donald Sutherland) and Ouisa (Stockard Channing) are hosting a dinner party when Paul (Will Smith), a blood-soaked young man, arrives on their doorstep. He claims to be a friend of their Ivy League children, and charms his way into the house. But when the couple discovers the truth about Paul and his real identity, they kick him out. As the couple trades stories with their friends about Paul, his presence proves surprisingly hard to shake.

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Critics Consensus

Though it betrays its theatrical roots, Six Degrees of Separation largely succeeds thanks to astute direction and fine performances -- particularly from an against-type Will Smith.

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Daniel Fienberg

Zap2it.com

Sep 8, 2005

4/5

It walks like a play and talks like a play, but thanks to the gentle direction and the performances from the crack cast -- particularly Channing and a never-better Smith -- it's satisfying as a movie.

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Rita Kempley

Washington Post

Jan 1, 2000

It's too clever by half, an inside joke aimed at the New York gentry.

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Marjorie Baumgarten

Austin Chronicle

Jan 1, 2000

3/5

The temporal experience of watching Six Degrees of Separation is one of absorption and intrigue.

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Ronan Farren

Sunday Independent (Ireland)

Feb 27, 2026

A highly intelligent and immensely enjoyable film that leaves you with lots to think about.

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Steve Warren

Southern Voice (Atlanta)

May 9, 2023

Six Degrees of Separation is a bit intellectual for a mass audience, but it's got some very funny moments and is loaded with thought-provoking social satire.

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Jane Freebury

The Canberra Times (Australia)

Aug 17, 2022

It was the first major film role for Will Smith, and some would say that despite the star he has become in years since, this early role is still his best.

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thiago S

@Thiagostone Jun 26, 2026

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

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Harrison B

@clinthoward Mar 17, 2026

Intriguing until I figured it out which was with at least 30 min left!

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Lynn O.

@widow25 Mar 15, 2026

I persisted in watching just to see the resolution, which stunk. Sutherland and Channing were wonderful together - in a rewrite, I'd have them dump their spoiled, ungrateful children and adopt Smith.

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Joy B.

@9mr_0 Dec 19, 2025

فلم جميل تصوير واخراج رائع قصة الفلم جميلة بالبداية غريبه وغير مفهومه لكن مع تطور الاحداث تبدا بفهم كل شيء الفلم عجبني خصوصا بعد ما عرفت ان القصة للمسرح وتم تحويلها زاد اعجابي بالفلم لاني اعشق المسرح و اداء الممثلين كان رائع

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Chris G

@RT87894089 Jul 15, 2025

Perhaps I was too young to appreciate the subject matter when I watched this movie years ago. But it ranks as one of only 2 movies that for me were so bad that I shut them off before watching to the end.

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Mitch C

@RT55212199 Oct 20, 2023

Knowing the high powered cast, I hung in there. The fine acting, occasionally humorous dialog and semi-relevant social commentary fails to overcome the problem. It's a giant bore. Pass.

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Fred Schepisi

Director

Stockard Channing

Ouisa

Will Smith

Paul

Donald Sutherland

Flan

Bruce Davison

Larkin

Ian McKellen

Geoffrey

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Synopsis

Privileged art dealers Flan (Donald Sutherland) and Ouisa (Stockard Channing) are hosting a dinner party when Paul (Will Smith), a blood-soaked young man, arrives on their doorstep. He claims to be a friend of their Ivy League children, and charms his way into the house. But when the couple discovers the truth about Paul and his real identity, they kick him out. As the couple trades stories with their friends about Paul, his presence proves surprisingly hard to shake.

Director: Fred Schepisi
Producer: Arnon Milchan, Fred Schepisi
Screenwriter: John Guare
Distributor: Argentina Video Home, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributing Corp.
Production Co: Maiden Movies, Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 8, 1993, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 30, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $6.3M
Runtime: 1h 51m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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