The Terminal Man (1974) Review in 2025
The Terminal Man is a 1974 psychological thriller film about a man who undergoes an experimental treatment to cure his violent tendencies, but the treatment has an unexpected side effect.
Family-Friendly Rating
Is this movie suitable for family viewing?
Not recommended for young children due to violence and mature themes.
CineReview Recommendation
This movie is worth watching for fans of science fiction and thriller genres. However, it's not particularly suitable for streaming due to its dated special effects and pacing issues.
Spoiler Alert!
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The film follows Dr. Brightman, a brilliant scientist who creates a device that can control the human brain. He tests the device on a patient, Dr. Tony Rand, who has a violent past. However, the device malfunctions, and Dr. Rand becomes a violent and unpredictable individual, forcing Dr. Brightman to try and stop him.
Review Details
story7.00/10
The story is engaging, but it's a bit predictable. The plot is well-structured, and the pacing is good. However, the twist at the end is somewhat obvious.
acting7.00/10
The acting is good, but it's not particularly memorable. George Segal does a good job as Dr. Brightman, but the rest of the cast is somewhat forgettable.
characters6.00/10
The characters are well-developed, but they're not particularly memorable. Dr. Brightman is the most interesting character, but even he feels a bit one-dimensional at times.
direction7.00/10
The direction is solid, but it's not particularly impressive. Mike Hodges does a good job of keeping the tension high, but the film could have benefited from a bit more creativity.
cinematography6.00/10
The cinematography is decent, but it's not particularly noteworthy. The film looks good, but it's not particularly visually stunning.
Pros and Cons
Pros
The Terminal Man is a well-structured and engaging film with a good cast and decent direction. The film's themes of science and ethics are timely and thought-provoking.
Cons
The film's pacing issues and dated special effects hold it back from being a truly great film. The characters are somewhat forgettable, and the twist at the end is somewhat predictable.
Notable Quotes
"'I'm not a killer, I'm a doctor.'"
"'You're a very interesting case, Dr. Rand.'"
