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Michael Caine murders his way up Madison Avenue with a smile.
TMDB
65
IMDb
66
Rotten Tomatoes
70
Audience Score
61
Google
79
Watch(US)

A Shock to the System (1990)

yuppie nightmareblack comedy gold80s corporate rot

Overview

ComedyCrime

When experienced advertising executive Graham Marshall loses out on a promotion to a young man, he goes down in a path of vengeance.

Flag of USUS
Content warning
based on novel or booknew york citymurderadvertising executivecorporate ladderadvertising agencysailinglighterelectrocutionmadison avenue

Standout Aspects

Acting

Caine's whispered menace and perfect restraint

Writing

Wickedly quotable corporate satire that still stings

Production

Sleek Manhattan ad world, all marble and moral void

Best for:Solo: Late night with wine, feeling petty about your boss·Rewatch: Spotting every smug Caine micro-expression
Heads up:Violence: Methodical murders played for dark laughs
Jan Egleson

Director

Jan Egleson

ReleasedMar 23, 1990
Runtime1h 31m
StatusReleased

Vibe

Pacesteady
Intensitymedium
Tonedark
Feellight
Brigand Films

Top Cast

Michael Caine

Michael Caine

Graham Marshall

Elizabeth McGovern

Elizabeth McGovern

Stella Anderson

Peter Riegert

Peter Riegert

Robert Benham

Swoosie Kurtz

Swoosie Kurtz

Leslie Marshall

Will Patton

Will Patton

Lt. Laker

Jenny Wright

Jenny Wright

Melanie O'Conner

John McMartin

John McMartin

George Brewster

Barbara Baxley

Barbara Baxley

Lillian

Haviland Morris

Haviland Morris

Tara Liston

Philip Moon

Philip Moon

Henry Park

Kent Broadhurst

Kent Broadhurst

Executive #1

Zach Grenier

Zach Grenier

Executive #2

David Schramm

David Schramm

Executive #3

Christopher Durang

Christopher Durang

Convention Speaker

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Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Trivia

Based on Simon Brett's 1984 novel, originally a BBC series with the same lead actor. Caine's performance reportedly inspired his later turn in The Quiet American.

Cultural

Released months after Wall Street, this is the forgotten evil twin — less 'greed is good' spectacle, more 'murder is efficient' banality. It predicted the collapse of 80s yuppie mythology better than its famous sibling.

YouTube

A Shock To The System (1990) - Official Trailer

A Shock To The System (1990) - Official Trailer

Gallery

Reviews

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